Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Commercial building.

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

3 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 12771

Enactment Date: 19/04/2010

Description: Commercial building.

Heritage Value: While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.

Locality: Vancouver Heights

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Community: Burnaby

Names: Helen's Childrens Wear

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Street Address: 4142 Hastings Street

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign at night, 2010 (View from the west. Other). Copyright: City of Burnaby.. . thumbnail

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign from the east, 2013. thumbnail

BBY-4142-Hastings-c1975-502-1441 thumbnail

J. Engelland Fuels truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35759

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a J. Engelland Fuels truck loading gravel at Stride pit. John Engelland began hauling gravel when the fuel business declined as people began using oil and electricity over wood, coal and sawdust.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-617

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of a J. Engelland Fuels truck loading gravel at Stride pit. John Engelland began hauling gravel when the fuel business declined as people began using oil and electricity over wood, coal and sawdust.

Subjects: Transportation - Trucks; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: J. Engelland Fuels

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Planning Study Area: Stride Hill Area

Images

J. Engelland Fuels truck, 1950 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1683

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: January 16, 1956

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the demonstration of Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance; a 1000 G.P.M. (gallons per minute) nozzle mounted on pumper truck. Fire Chief Menzies is standing on the running board, looking towards Deputy Chief G. Monk and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake who are on th…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the demonstration of Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance; a 1000 G.P.M. (gallons per minute) nozzle mounted on pumper truck. Fire Chief Menzies is standing on the running board, looking towards Deputy Chief G. Monk and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake who are on the fire truck, holding on to the machinery (Blake is on the right). Councillor Fred Philps is standing on the ground, smiling, with his hand resting on the truck's ladder.

Subjects: Occupations - Fire Fighters; Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Transportation - Fire Trucks; Tools and Equipment

Names: Burnaby Fire Department; Menzies, William "Bill"; Monk, Gordon; Blake, Frederick "Fred"

Accession Code: BV002.75.5

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: January 16, 1956

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2/12/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Typed note on verso of photograph reads: B.F.D. First heavy stream/ appliance, 1000 G.P.M./ nozzle mounted on pumper./ Can also be removed and/ used from the ground./ Jan. 16, 1956"; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "JAN. 16, 1956 / L to R. CHIEF MENZIES DEP. CHIEF G. MONK CHIEF TRAINING OFFICER FRED BLAKE COUNCILLOR FRED PHILPS"; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Mr F. Blake 4165 Pandora Street Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5C 2B2"

Images

Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance, January 16, 1956 thumbnail

Burnaby's first ladder fire truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1300

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1956 (date of original)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, a LaFrance, 100 foot aerial ladder quintuplet. The ladder is fully extended with a firefighter standing at the very top, operating the hose.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, a LaFrance, 100 foot aerial ladder quintuplet. The ladder is fully extended with a firefighter standing at the very top, operating the hose.

Subjects: Occupations - Fire Fighters; Transportation - Fire Trucks; Tools and Equipment

Names: Burnaby Fire Department

Accession Code: BV998.31.15

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1956 (date of original)

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For another photograph of the same image, but cropped differently, see BV998.31.18

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Typed sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Burnaby's first ladder truck. La France 100 ft. aerial ladder quintuplet. 1956"; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "MR & MRS F BLAKE 4165 PANDORA ST BURNABY BC V5C 2B2"

Images

Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, 1956 (date of original) thumbnail

Jubilee Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1699

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 1955

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and two trucks are visible driving over the muddy ground.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and two trucks are visible driving over the muddy ground.

Subjects: Construction - Road Construction; Transportation - Trucks

Geographic Access: Jubilee Avenue

Accession Code: BV004.7.5

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: May 1955

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Related Material: For another photograph of roadwork scene at Jubilee Avenue, see BV004.7.6

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Jubilee Ave/ May 1955"

Images

Jubilee Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1700

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 1955

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and a line of dump trucks are driving over the muddy ground in the distance.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and a line of dump trucks are driving over the muddy ground in the distance.

Subjects: Construction - Road Construction; Transportation - Trucks

Geographic Access: Jubilee Avenue

Accession Code: BV004.7.6

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: May 1955

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Related Material: For another photograph of roadwork scene at Jubilee Avenue, see BV004.7.5

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "At its worst/ Jubilee Ave/ South Burnaby/ May 1955"

Images

Burnaby's new fleet of fire trucks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36138

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956 or 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956 or 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 226-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1989-22

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There is snow on the ground and the three men are wearing winter coats.

Subjects: Transportation - Fire Trucks; Occupations - Fire Fighters; Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.; Menzies, William "Bill"; Philps, Fred; Burnaby Fire Department

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dominion Photo Company

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Other title info: photographer's negative no. 38487

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Burnaby's new fleet of fire trucks, [1956 or 1957] thumbnail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory466

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1927-1990

Length: 00:04:05

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.

Date Range: 1927-1990

Length: 00:04:05

Names: Waddell, Gordon

Subjects: Public Services - Fire Protection; Buildings - Civic; Transportation - Fire Trucks

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_3.mp3

LaFrance Class A Quintuplet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1681

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [after 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph: sepia photocopy ; 10 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Fire Department's 1956 LaFrance Class A Quintuplet fire truck, considered "five fire trucks in one" because it served as a chemical truck (now a water tank), a hose truck, pumper truck, city service ladder truck and 100 ft aerial ladder truck. Truck no. 8 is parked in front of…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph: sepia photocopy ; 10 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Fire Department's 1956 LaFrance Class A Quintuplet fire truck, considered "five fire trucks in one" because it served as a chemical truck (now a water tank), a hose truck, pumper truck, city service ladder truck and 100 ft aerial ladder truck. Truck no. 8 is parked in front of fire hall no. 3.

Subjects: Transportation - Fire Trucks; Buildings - Civic - Fire Halls

Names: Burnaby Fire Department

Geographic Access: Marlborough Avenue

Street Address: 6511 Marlborough Avenue

Accession Code: BV002.75.3

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [after 1956]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Typed note on recto of photograph reads: "First in Canada 1956"; Typed note on verso of photograph reads: "Five fire trucks in one. Chemical -- Now water trank Hose truck. Pumper truck. City service ladder truck. Aerial ladder truck 100 ft."; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Mr F. Blake 4165 Pandora Street Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5C 2B2"

Images

LaFrance Class A Quintuplet, [after 1956] thumbnail

Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34680

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.0 cm mounted on cardboard

Scope and Content: Photograph of a crane lifting a large pipe on or off a truck at the Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. A number of other pipes are piled at the left side of the photograph.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.0 cm mounted on cardboard

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 092-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a crane lifting a large pipe on or off a truck at the Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. A number of other pipes are piled at the left side of the photograph.

Subjects: Industries - Construction; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: Dominion Bridge Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Graphic Industries Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed on bottom of photo, "Dominion Bridge Co., Limited / Pacific Division"; Printed on back of cardboard "GIL: Graphic Industries Ltd. / Vancouver's Most Complete Photographic Service / 54 West Hastings, Vancouver 4, B.C. / Phone Pacific 4174 File No: 3850-4"

Geographic Access: Henning Drive

Street Address: 3880 Henning Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34681

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1956

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the fabrication of large construction industry components inside a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1956

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 092-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the fabrication of large construction industry components inside a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building.

Subjects: Industries - Construction; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: Dominion Bridge Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Graphic Industries Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed on bottom of photo, "Dominion Bridge Co., Limited / Pacific Division"; Printed on back of cardboard "GIL: Graphic Industries Ltd. / 54 West Hastings, Vancouver 4, B.C. / Phone Pacific 4174 File No: 2844 1"; Stamped and annotated on back of cardboard, "Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. / Vancouver, B.C. / Neg./Print #55-DB-3-32" and "Jan. /56"

Geographic Access: Henning Drive

Street Address: 3880 Henning Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34682

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 25, 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building. Three men are working on a large pipe. Two signs read, "Danger / X-Ray Operating / Keep Out."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 25, 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 092-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building. Three men are working on a large pipe. Two signs read, "Danger / X-Ray Operating / Keep Out."

Subjects: Industries - Construction; Construction Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Dominion Bridge Company

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed on bottom of photo, "Dominion Bridge Co., Limited / Pacific Division"; Stamps on back of photograph read, "Dominion Bridge Company, Limited" and "Jan 25 1957"

Geographic Access: Henning Drive

Street Address: 3880 Henning Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34683

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.4 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building with a piece of machinery with a plate reading, "Dominion Premier" on it.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.4 x 25.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 092-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building with a piece of machinery with a plate reading, "Dominion Premier" on it.

Subjects: Industries - Construction; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: Dominion Bridge Company

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed on bottom of photo, "Dominion Bridge Co., Limited / Pacific Division"; Stamp on back of photo reads, "Dominion Bridge Co., Ltd. / Vancouver, B.C. / Neg./Print # 57-329"

Geographic Access: Henning Drive

Street Address: 3880 Henning Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory470

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:34

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:34

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - Archives; Buildings - Civic - Museums

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_7.mp3

Bob O'Brien with Burnaby Garbage Department trucks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1260

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [after 1941]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of six men standing in a parking lot next to four garbage trucks (two of the men are in suits). Robert Emmette O'Brien is second from the right. He worked for Burnaby for many years (the other men are unidentified). All the trucks bear the sign "Corp. of the District of Burnaby Garbage D…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of six men standing in a parking lot next to four garbage trucks (two of the men are in suits). Robert Emmette O'Brien is second from the right. He worked for Burnaby for many years (the other men are unidentified). All the trucks bear the sign "Corp. of the District of Burnaby Garbage Department" or "MUNICIPALITY OF BURNABY GARBAGE DEPARTMENT" and look to be Chevrolets built between 1941 and 1946.

Subjects: Public Services - Garbage Removal; Transportation - Trucks; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: O'Brien, Robert Emmette

Accession Code: BV996.15.3

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [after 1941]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Notes written on verso of photograph reads: "R.E. O'BRIEN/ By GARBAGE WAGON 2ND FROM RIGHT/ BURNABY, B.C." and "TR 196/ O'BRIEN"

Images

Burnaby Garbage Department truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1258

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [after 1941]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a garbage truck with the sign "Corp. of the District of Burnaby/ Garbage Department" on its side. The passenger door is being held open by the passenger as he looks towards the camera. The truck looks to be a Chevrolet built between 1941 and 1946.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a garbage truck with the sign "Corp. of the District of Burnaby/ Garbage Department" on its side. The passenger door is being held open by the passenger as he looks towards the camera. The truck looks to be a Chevrolet built between 1941 and 1946.

Subjects: Public Services - Garbage Removal; Transportation - Trucks; Occupations - Civic Workers

Accession Code: BV996.15.1

Date: [after 1941]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Burnaby Garbage Department truck, [after 1941] thumbnail

Engineering Department vehicle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription90425

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1969]

Collection/Fonds: City of Burnaby Archives photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 3 photographs : col. ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photographs of former City of Burnaby employee Joe Cashato driving an Engineering Department vehicle. Vehicle is orange with "District of Burnaby Engineering 627" painted on its driver side door.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1969]

Collection/Fonds: City of Burnaby Archives photograph collection

Physical Description: 3 photographs : col. ; 9 x 9 cm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 614-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2016-24

Scope and Content: Photographs of former City of Burnaby employee Joe Cashato driving an Engineering Department vehicle. Vehicle is orange with "District of Burnaby Engineering 627" painted on its driver side door.

Subjects: Transportation - Trucks; Occupations - Civic Workers

Media Type: Photograph

Images

Engineering Department vehicle, [between 1950 and 1969] thumbnail

Simpsons-Sears engine display

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17336

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 5 May 1954

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of car and truck engines on display inside of the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby during the opening on May 5, 1954. Four engines are visible in the photograph.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Series: Simpsons-Sears scrapbook series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of car and truck engines on display inside of the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby during the opening on May 5, 1954. Four engines are visible in the photograph.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Department Stores; Events - Openings; Transportation - Automobiles; Transportation - Trucks

Names: Simpsons-Sears Limited

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4750 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV021.26.86

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 5 May 1954

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2021-09-21

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph was removed from original scrapbook with newspaper clippings, photographs and ephemera

Images

Simpsons-Sears engine display, 5 May 1954 thumbnail

Interview with Ron Smitherman by Eric Damer November 15, 2012 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory403

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1945-1979

Length: 0:08:43

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of his early years in construction. Ron discusses what it was like to be in construction during the postwar era. He also discusses his father's work as a carpenter and the changes that occurred with the introduction of electric car…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of his early years in construction. Ron discusses what it was like to be in construction during the postwar era. He also discusses his father's work as a carpenter and the changes that occurred with the introduction of electric carpentry tools.

Date Range: 1945-1979

Photo Info: Ron Smitherman, [199-]. Item no. 549-065.

Length: 0:08:43

Subjects: Construction Tools and Equipment

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: November 15, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Ron Smitherman conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, November 15, 2012. Major theme discussed: building construction and development in Burnaby.

Biographical Notes: Born in 1933 and raised in Vancouver, Ron Smitherman learned the construction trade from his father, upgrading his knowledge and skills as techniques and materials changed and improved. Ron built houses and commercial buildings in Burnaby and elsewhere during the nineteen-forties, fifties and sixties. In 1969 Ron and his family settled in Burnaby where he shifted his business to real estate.

Total Tracks: 6

Total Length: 0:46:51

Interviewee Name: Smitherman, Ron

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.