Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Cascade Drive-In Theatre at 4050 Grandview Highway and the surrounding area. Note: Burnaby General Hospital under construction can be seen on the left.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 1952 (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 ; 3.4 x 4.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-464

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Cascade Drive-In Theatre at 4050 Grandview Highway and the surrounding area. Note: Burnaby General Hospital under construction can be seen on the left.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs

Names: Cascade Drive-In Theatre; Burnaby General Hospital

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cunningham, W.

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

Geographic Access: Grandview Highway

Street Address: 4050 Grandview Highway

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cascade-Schou Area; West Central Valley Area

Images

Aerial photograph of Grandview Highway, July 1952 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Aerial photograph of Timber Preservers Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34686

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 24.8 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Timber Preservers Ltd. and the Fraser River at the foot of Trapp Avenue.

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 ; 20.2 x 24.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 095-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Timber Preservers Ltd. and the Fraser River at the foot of Trapp Avenue.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Geographic Features - Rivers

Names: Timber Preservers Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Campbell Studios Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp and annotation on back of photograph reads, "Your Negative Number: 86/[7 or 4]0 / Re-orders any size always obtainable at Campbell Studio / 581 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C."

Geographic Access: Trapp Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Images

Aerial photograph of Timber Preservers Ltd., 1957 thumbnail

Aerial View of Chinese Market Gardens on Marine Drive

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4296

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1950 and 1959] (date of original), 2017 (date of duplication)

Collection/Fonds: Herbert Yee Law family fonds

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph is an aerial view looking south over the Chinese Market Gardens along Marine Drive in the Big Bend area of Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Herbert Yee Law family fonds

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph is an aerial view looking south over the Chinese Market Gardens along Marine Drive in the Big Bend area of Burnaby.

Subjects: Agriculture - Crops; Agriculture - Farms; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Aerial Photographs

Names: Chinese Market Gardens

Geographic Access: Marine Drive

Accession Code: BV017.40.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1950 and 1959] (date of original), 2017 (date of duplication)

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 11/19/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Images

Aerial View of Chinese Market Gardens on Marine Drive, [between 1950 and 1959] (date of original), 2017 (date of duplication) thumbnail

Aerial view of Vancouver, North Vancouver and West Vancouver

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10589

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [195-] (date of orignal), copied 1985

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w copy negative ; 10 x 12.5 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph looking west towards Vancouver, North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w copy negative ; 10 x 12.5 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph looking west towards Vancouver, North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds

Accession Code: BV985.457.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [195-] (date of orignal), copied 1985

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 1200

Scan Date: 2022-06-07

Photographer: Aero Surveys Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Aerial view of Vancouver, North Vancouver and West Vancouver, [195-] (date of orignal), copied 1985 thumbnail

Alpha Secondary School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription62709

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950 or 1951]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 5.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Alpha Secondary School.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950 or 1951]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 5.5 x 7.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-813

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Alpha Secondary School.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Buildings - Schools

Names: Alpha Secondary School

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Pride, A.H. "Harry"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w original photograph accompanying

Geographic Access: Parker Street

Street Address: 4600 Parker Street

Planning Study Area: Brentwood Area

Images

Alpha Secondary School, [1950 or 1951] thumbnail

Burnaby Mountain

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38210

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 1965] (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 ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-797

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Geographic Features - Inlets; Geographic Features - Mountains; Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Burnaby Mountain, [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Cascades Drive-In Theatre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37877

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 1952 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.3 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.7 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Cascade Drive-In Theatre at 4050 Grandview Highway.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 1952 (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 ; 3.3 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-465

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Cascade Drive-In Theatre at 4050 Grandview Highway.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Buildings - Commercial - Drive-in Theatres

Names: Cascade Drive-In Theatre

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cunningham, W.

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

Geographic Access: Grandview Highway

Street Address: 4050 Grandview Highway

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Cascades Drive-In Theatre, July 1952 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

The Fair Haven

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36597

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photographic postcard of "the Fair Haven," a group of United Church homes for Senior Citizens. The road in the foreground is Rumble Street, and the long road to the right is Sussex Avenue. The small forest behind "the Fair Haven" is the David Gary Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Vera Jackson Pel subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 305-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1992-46

Scope and Content: Aerial photographic postcard of "the Fair Haven," a group of United Church homes for Senior Citizens. The road in the foreground is Rumble Street, and the long road to the right is Sussex Avenue. The small forest behind "the Fair Haven" is the David Gary Park.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards; Buildings - Residential - Seniors Housing

Names: Fair Haven

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Typewritten note on verso of postcard reads: "AERIAL VIEW/ 'The Fairhaven', Burnaby BC / United Church Homes for Senior Citizens / 4341 Rumble St., Burnaby, BC"; Handwritten note on verso of postcard reads: ""The road in the foreground is Rumble Street. The long road to the right is Sussex Avenue. The road, going up, on the left, barely visible is McKay Avenue = lower corner. Behind Fair Haven is the future David Gary Park cleared in the late 1950's - then more trees were felled in October 1962 with Hurricane Freda (blown over, uprooted trees) that left the park as it is today in 1993. The top row of little (5) white cottages were moved from the N.W. corner of Willingdon and Kingsway where Old Orchard Mall is now - they were part of Old Orchard Auto Villas, the first Fair Havens. Note: All cottages on right side of Lodge have been moved to Vancouver Island in 1991 for Motel units - by barge."; Printed on verso of postcard: "Traveltime product, made in Vancouver, Canada, by Grant-Mann Lithographers Ltd."

Geographic Access: Rumble Street

Street Address: 4341 Rumble Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Images

The Fair Haven, [between 1950 and 1957] thumbnail

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

George Derby Health Centre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37539

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1954] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.4 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the George Derby Health Centre, copied from a postcard.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1950 and 1954] (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 ; 3.4 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-127

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the George Derby Health Centre, copied from a postcard.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards; Buildings - Civic - Hospitals

Names: George Derby Health Centre

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption on photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Caption on photograph reads, "George Derby Health Centre, Burnaby B.C."

Geographic Access: Cumberland Street

Street Address: 7550 Cumberland Street

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cariboo-Armstrong Area

Images

George Derby Health Centre, [between 1950 and 1954] (date of original), copied 1991 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

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

Lenkurt Electric Company

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34690

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of aerial view of the Lenkurt Electric Company at 6960 Lougheed Highway (later renumbered 7018 Lougheed Highway). A sign on the top of the building reads, "Lenkurt." An information sheet from the Company Relation Division of Lenkurt attached to the back of the photograph reads, "Aerial…

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 ; 20.3 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 099-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of aerial view of the Lenkurt Electric Company at 6960 Lougheed Highway (later renumbered 7018 Lougheed Highway). A sign on the top of the building reads, "Lenkurt." An information sheet from the Company Relation Division of Lenkurt attached to the back of the photograph reads, "Aerial view of a 34,000 square foot building including a 19,000 square foot extension to the existing 15,000 square foot plant of Lenkurt Electric Co. of Canada Ltd. in North Burnaby, B.C., as at May 10th, 1957. / The building is situated on 20 acres of land and faces north onto Lougheed Highway."

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Geographic Features - Automobile Parking Lots; Buildings - Industrial

Names: Lenkurt Electric Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Commercial Illustrators Industrial Photographers

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp and annotation on back of photograph reads, "TA. 8817 / Commerical Illustrators / Industrial Photographers / 601 Denman St., Vancouver 5, B.C. / File No. 1080-1"

Geographic Access: Lougheed Highway

Street Address: 7018 Lougheed Highway

Historic Neighbourhood: Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Government Road Area

Images

Lenkurt Electric Company, [1957] 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.

Images

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

Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_2.mp3

North Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34701

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.6 x 20.5 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of North Burnaby and Burrard Inlet looking west.

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 ; 16.6 x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 106-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of North Burnaby and Burrard Inlet looking west.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Geographic Features - Roads; Geographic Features - Inlets

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood); Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood); Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area; Capitol Hill Area; Westridge Area; Willingdon Heights Area; Brentwood Area; Parkcrest-Aubrey Area; Lochdale Area

Images

Standard Oil Company

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34567

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 28.0 x 35.8 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Standard Oil Company Stanovan Refinery storage and shipping area, along the Burrard Inlet.

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 ; 28.0 x 35.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 052-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Standard Oil Company Stanovan Refinery storage and shipping area, along the Burrard Inlet.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Buildings - Industrial - Refineries; Geographic Features - Inlets

Names: Standard Oil Company of British Columbia Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Eton Street

Street Address: 4403 Eton Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Images

Standard Oil Company

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34568

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 27.8 x 35.5 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Standard Oil Company Stanovan Refinery, Burrard Inlet.

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 ; 27.8 x 35.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 052-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Standard Oil Company Stanovan Refinery, Burrard Inlet.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Buildings - Industrial - Refineries

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Aero Surveys Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Back of photo stamped: "Photo by Aero Surveys Limited, Vancouver, BC, Canada / Identification No.: BO-58-444"

Geographic Access: Eton Street

Street Address: 4403 Eton Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

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