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

Alfred Hickman

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35054

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of two men standing outside Hickman's Grocery on Patterson Avenue near the railroad tracks. One of the men is Alfred Hickman, the store's owner. Signs on the store read, "Hickmans / Groceries / Produce" and "Groceries / Hickmans / Meats." Signs in the window advertise wieners and "Mea…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Hickman subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 183-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1986-31

Scope and Content: Photograph of two men standing outside Hickman's Grocery on Patterson Avenue near the railroad tracks. One of the men is Alfred Hickman, the store's owner. Signs on the store read, "Hickmans / Groceries / Produce" and "Groceries / Hickmans / Meats." Signs in the window advertise wieners and "Meat Makes the Meal."

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

Names: Hickman, Alfred "Alf"; Hickman and Son Market

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Street address for the grocery store later numbered 5932 Patterson Avenue

Geographic Access: Patterson Avenue

Street Address: 5932 Patterson Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Alfred Hickman, [195-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

A. Matheson and Sons Market

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34063

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 9.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the A. Matheson & Sons store building located at 3576 Kingsway (later renumbered 4920 Kingsway) and Nelson Avenue. Signs on the store read, "A. Matheson & Sons Market / Fresh Meats - Groceries / Quality and Service / Dexter 1372, 1373 / Free Delivery." Additional signs and billboard…

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 ; 8.9 x 9.0 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 006-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the A. Matheson & Sons store building located at 3576 Kingsway (later renumbered 4920 Kingsway) and Nelson Avenue. Signs on the store read, "A. Matheson & Sons Market / Fresh Meats - Groceries / Quality and Service / Dexter 1372, 1373 / Free Delivery." Additional signs and billboards include "Burnaby Liberal Committee Rooms" and a cigarette billboard. This store was previously owned and operated by Alexander MacKenzie.

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

Names: Matheson and Sons Market; A. MacKenzie and Company Jubilee Store

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4920 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

A. Matheson and Sons Market, 1957 thumbnail

Astor Hotel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34586

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Astor Hotel at 4561 Kingsway and McKay Avenue. A hotel sign reads, "Welcome HRH Princess Margaret to Burnaby." The Astor Coffee Shop is to the right of the hotel.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 060-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Astor Hotel at 4561 Kingsway and McKay Avenue. A hotel sign reads, "Welcome HRH Princess Margaret to Burnaby." The Astor Coffee Shop is to the right of the hotel.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels

Names: Astor Hotel

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4561 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Burnaby Chamber of Commerce

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34711

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.1 x 21.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "Yesterday and Today" display, Burnaby Chamber of Commerce. Signs on either side of the display read, "Burnaby has ten miles of Fraser River frontage" and "Burnaby has ten miles of deepsea frontage." In the centre is a display of photographs. Signs on both sides of the display …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.1 x 21.9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 115-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "Yesterday and Today" display, Burnaby Chamber of Commerce. Signs on either side of the display read, "Burnaby has ten miles of Fraser River frontage" and "Burnaby has ten miles of deepsea frontage." In the centre is a display of photographs. Signs on both sides of the display read, "'Burnaby Yesterday and Today!' / Photo display by Burnaby Historical Society."

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Organizations; Documentary Artifacts - Photographs

Names: Burnaby Chamber of Commerce; Burnaby Historical Society

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bower, Ralph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamped on back of photograph, "Photography by Ralph Bower"

Images

Burnaby Chamber of Commerce, [1959] thumbnail

Cornerstone for New Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55624

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1955

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the commemorative cornerstone laid for the new Municipal Hall building. The stone reads: "This stone was laid by His Worship Reeve Charles W. MacSorley / September 23rd 1955."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1955

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-018

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of the commemorative cornerstone laid for the new Municipal Hall building. The stone reads: "This stone was laid by His Worship Reeve Charles W. MacSorley / September 23rd 1955."

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Cornerstone for New Municipal Hall, 1955 thumbnail

Exhibition Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription51368

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph of a crowd of people gathered near the entrance to the exhibition park at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver, BC. A banner at the top of the entrance reads "B.C. Centennial Year 1858-1958" and the marquis below the "Exhibition Park" sign reads "Water Follies of 58 / Shri…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 483-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2008-08

Scope and Content: Photograph of a crowd of people gathered near the entrance to the exhibition park at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver, BC. A banner at the top of the entrance reads "B.C. Centennial Year 1858-1958" and the marquis below the "Exhibition Park" sign reads "Water Follies of 58 / Shrine PNE Circus / Horse Racing." None of the people in the photograph are identified.

Subjects: Exhibitions; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Persons - Crowds

Names: Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Johnston, Harold H.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Fruit Processing Plant

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34664

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.1 x 23.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of a fruit processing plant in the Kingsway Area.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.1 x 23.2 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 085-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of a fruit processing plant in the Kingsway Area.

Subjects: Buildings - Agricultural; Agriculture - Fruit and Berries

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Images

Fruit Processing Plant, [195-] thumbnail

Grove of apple trees

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36048

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.5 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a grove of apple trees that are bearing fruit. This grove is believed to be part of the Dickie family orchard.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Grace Dickie subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.5 x 11 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 215-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1989-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of a grove of apple trees that are bearing fruit. This grove is believed to be part of the Dickie family orchard.

Subjects: Agriculture - Fruit and Berries

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Hotel Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34700

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (later renumbered 7610 Kingsway). An electric "Hotel Burnaby / Vacancy / Parking" sign can be seen on the right. A diner can be seen on the left side of the building with signs reading, "Dining Room," "Diner," "Soda Fountain," "Breakfasts, Lunches, Din…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 105-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (later renumbered 7610 Kingsway). An electric "Hotel Burnaby / Vacancy / Parking" sign can be seen on the right. A diner can be seen on the left side of the building with signs reading, "Dining Room," "Diner," "Soda Fountain," "Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners," "Coffee Bar," and "Licensed Premises." Coca-Cola advertisements are also visible. There are entrances to the building with signs above them readings, "Lobby," "Men," and "Ladies and Escorts."

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Names: Hotel Burnaby Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Croton Studio Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Croton Studio / New Westminster BC"

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7610 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory654

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1950

Length: 0:09:51

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the families and the vineyard and apple orchard on Aubrey Street. She tells stories about picking wild blackberries near Aubrey and raspberries grown on her parent’s farm, and about her mother’s large garden and kale grown for chicken…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the families and the vineyard and apple orchard on Aubrey Street. She tells stories about picking wild blackberries near Aubrey and raspberries grown on her parent’s farm, and about her mother’s large garden and kale grown for chicken feed.

Date Range: 1930-1950

Length: 0:09:51

Subjects: Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods; Geographic Features - Gardens; Agriculture - Fruit and Berries

Geographic Access: Aubrey Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: January 13, 2016

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Reidun Seim conducted by Kathy Bossort. Reidun Seim was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Reidun Seim’s memories about her parent’s farm on Curtis Street, events in her childhood, and the people who lived in or visited her neighborhood. She takes us on a tour of her neighborhood in the 1940s, telling us stories about families who lived on Curtis Street on and east of 7300 block, including people who lived on Burnaby Mountain in the old Hastings Grove subdivision above the end of municipal water service at Philips Avenue. She describes changes to Curtis Street, particularly after it provided access to Simon Fraser University in 1965. She also talks about her teaching career, and about how she values the green space and conservation area on Burnaby Mountain.

Biographical Notes: Reidun Seim was born in 1931 in Vancouver B.C. to Sjur and Martine Seim. Sjur and Martine Seim emigrated to Canada from Norway in 1930, and after settling in Vancouver, moved to an acre of land and a new home at the base of Burnaby Mountain in 1932. Sjur attended UBC to learn about poultry farming and began his own chicken and egg business in 1935. The farm animals and large garden also contributed to the family’s livelihood and self-sufficiency. The Curtis Street neighborhood was a lively place and extended well up Curtis Street on the west slope of Burnaby Mountain, where Reidun would babysit for families. Reidun attended Sperling Avenue Elementary School (Gr. 1-8), Burnaby North High School, and Vancouver Normal School for teacher training in 1950-1951. She began teaching primary grades in Port Coquitlam at James Park School. Most of her career was spent in North Delta, teaching at Kennedy and Annieville schools from 1954-1958, appointed Primary Consultant (1958-1960) and Primary Supervisor (1960-1985), before retiring in 1986. Reidun lived at home with her parents on Curtis Street, commuting to Delta, and continues to live in the original farmhouse.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 2:35:58

Interviewee Name: Seim, Reidun

Interview Location: Burnaby City Hall in the Law Library

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track five of interview with Reidun Seim

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-017/MSS196-017_Track_5.mp3

Lindsay Johnson and L.B. Johnson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37894

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Lindsay Johnson and her grandfather, L.B. Johnson, at the Lougheed Drive-In Theatre on the 4200 block of Lougheed Highway at Gilmore Avenue. They are standing in front of a sign for the snack bar and restrooms.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-482

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Lindsay Johnson and her grandfather, L.B. Johnson, at the Lougheed Drive-In Theatre on the 4200 block of Lougheed Highway at Gilmore Avenue. They are standing in front of a sign for the snack bar and restrooms.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Johnson, L.B.; Johnson, Lindsay; Lougheed Drive-In Theatre

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Negative has a pink cast

Geographic Access: Lougheed Highway

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Lindsay Johnson and L.B. Johnson, [1956] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Lougheed Drive-In Theatre Marquee

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37884

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 3.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Lougheed Drive-In Theatre marquee stating that the theatre is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and listing the movies playing. A car is parked beside the ticket booth. The theatre was located on the 4200 block of Lougheed Highway at Gilmore Avenue.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 3.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-472

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Lougheed Drive-In Theatre marquee stating that the theatre is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and listing the movies playing. A car is parked beside the ticket booth. The theatre was located on the 4200 block of Lougheed Highway at Gilmore Avenue.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Drive-in Theatres; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Lougheed Drive-In Theatre

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Negative has a pink cast

Geographic Access: Lougheed Highway

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Lougheed Drive-In Theatre Marquee, [1956] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Lougheed Drive-In Theatre neon sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37885

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new neon tower at the Lougheed Drive-In Theatre on the 4200 block of Lougheed Highway at Gilmore Avenue.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-473

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new neon tower at the Lougheed Drive-In Theatre on the 4200 block of Lougheed Highway at Gilmore Avenue.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Drive-in Theatres; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Transportation - Automobiles

Names: Lougheed Drive-In Theatre

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Negative has a pink cast

Geographic Access: Lougheed Highway

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Lougheed Drive-In Theatre neon sign, [1958] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory244

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1906-1975

Length: 0:09:00

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his fath…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his father's ranch of six acres, which grew mostly strawberries to sell in Vancouver.

Date Range: 1906-1975

Photo Info: Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004

Length: 0:09:00

Subjects: Agriculture - Fruit and Berries

Geographic Access: Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Interviewer: McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”

Interview Date: November 17, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.

Biographical Notes: Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.

Total Tracks: 7

Total Length: 0:58:55

Interviewee Name: McMurray, Lillian Wray; McMurray, Murdoch

Interviewer Bio: Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.