14 records – page 1 of 1.

Boundary Road and Hastings Street vicinity

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35447
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1915 (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 taken in Vancouver on Hastings Street looking east toward Burnaby and Boundary Road. The Hastings Street British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER) cars can be seen labouring up the hill.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1915 (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.
204-305
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph taken in Vancouver on Hastings Street looking east toward Burnaby and Boundary Road. The Hastings Street British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER) cars can be seen labouring up the hill.
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Geographic Features - Roads
Transportation - Electric Railroads
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Eaton, Dr. Carl
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Boundary Road
Hastings Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Willingdon Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Brown's Real Estate Office

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34750
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 13.6 x 8.1 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Percy Boyer Brown's real estate office at Edmonds. Two young men are standing outside, and the exterior is decorated with flags and bunting. "Post Office" is written on the window, and there is a display of properties for sale or rent.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 13.6 x 8.1 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
127-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Percy Boyer Brown's real estate office at Edmonds. Two young men are standing outside, and the exterior is decorated with flags and bunting. "Post Office" is written on the window, and there is a display of properties for sale or rent.
Subjects
Symbols - Flags
Buildings - Commercial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Less detail

Carnarvon Street Building

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66213
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 24 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Carnarvon Street building in New Westminster, built by Claude Hill and E. B. Wetenhall (architect). Three cars can be seen on the street, one with two unidentified men seated inside. A note on the back of the photograph indicates that the building in the background is the New We…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Series
Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 24 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-939
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Carnarvon Street building in New Westminster, built by Claude Hill and E. B. Wetenhall (architect). Three cars can be seen on the street, one with two unidentified men seated inside. A note on the back of the photograph indicates that the building in the background is the New Westminster Opera House and a sign on the building in the foreground reads "Ford Cars - Fraser Valley Motor Co. Limited."
Subjects
Transportation - Automobiles
Buildings - Commercial
Buildings - Commercial - Automobile Dealerships
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note on verso reads: "Carnarvon St. Bldg. / built by L.C. Hill & EB Wetenhall (architect) / old New Westminster Opera House / r. background - / app. 1912 -"
Images
Less detail

Dow, Fraser and Company Limited

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription551
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1915]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 21.5 cm photogravure
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mr. Eric Warrington Howard Bennett standing on the doorway to a store with large signs for a branch of Dow, Fraser & Co. Limited for real estate, loans, and fire insurance. The trust company is advertised on the sign as having been established in 1900. There is another store in the bu…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 21.5 cm photogravure
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mr. Eric Warrington Howard Bennett standing on the doorway to a store with large signs for a branch of Dow, Fraser & Co. Limited for real estate, loans, and fire insurance. The trust company is advertised on the sign as having been established in 1900. There is another store in the building that is unidentified. Eric Warrington Howard Bennett was the branch manager of the Dow, Fraser company which started in Burnaby circa 1915. The store was located on the corner of McKay Avenue and the BC Electric Railway tracks. Later, a top storey was added to the building. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Burnaby Branch Office. / E.W.H. Bennett / Manager."
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Names
Bennett, Eric Warrington Howard
Dow, Fraser and Company Limited
Geographic Access
McKay Avenue
Accession Code
HV977.77.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1915]
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-07-11
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Edmonds and Kingsway

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36162
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the railway junction and hydro poles at Edmonds and Kingsway, and the "triangle block" on the far right. A touring car is visible moving though the backgound.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 12 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
230-007
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1989-22
Scope and Content
Photograph of the railway junction and hydro poles at Edmonds and Kingsway, and the "triangle block" on the far right. A touring car is visible moving though the backgound.
Subjects
Transportation - Electric Railroads
Buildings - Commercial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Images
Less detail

Edmonds and Kingsway

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37321
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 (date of original), copied [1997]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the area near the Edmonds and Kingsway intersection. A British Columbia Electric Railway Company tram is visible in the centre and the station can be seen to the left.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 (date of original), copied [1997]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Jim Wolf subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
350-015
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1997-09
Scope and Content
Photograph of the area near the Edmonds and Kingsway intersection. A British Columbia Electric Railway Company tram is visible in the centre and the station can be seen to the left.
Subjects
Geographic Features - Roads
Transportation - Electric Railroads
Buildings - Commercial
Names
British Columbia Electric Railway Company
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph.
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Richmond Park Area
Images
Less detail

Edmonds and Kingsway tramline

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36163
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the railway junction and hydro poles at Edmonds and Kingsway, with the "triangle block" on the left. A tram is visible moving along the snow covered line to New Westminister, via East Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 13 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
230-008
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1989-22
Scope and Content
Photograph of the railway junction and hydro poles at Edmonds and Kingsway, with the "triangle block" on the left. A tram is visible moving along the snow covered line to New Westminister, via East Burnaby.
Subjects
Transportation - Electric Railroads
Buildings - Commercial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Images
Less detail

Granville Street looking south from Rogers building

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1063
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1908 and 1911]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6.1 x 10.7 cm mounted on paper 13.5 x 18.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street in Vancouver, looking south from the Roger's Building. The two tall buildings to the sides are under construction, and steam is blowing out from building chimneys. Busy street activities can be seen below with two trams running along the tracks.Inscribed on the scrapb…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6.1 x 10.7 cm mounted on paper 13.5 x 18.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street in Vancouver, looking south from the Roger's Building. The two tall buildings to the sides are under construction, and steam is blowing out from building chimneys. Busy street activities can be seen below with two trams running along the tracks.Inscribed on the scrapbook paper in white ink: "Granville Street / Looking South / From Rogers Building / Vancouver B.C."
Subjects
Geographic Features - Cities
Buildings - Commercial
Geographic Access
Vancouver
Accession Code
HV972.50.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[between 1908 and 1911]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-28
Photographer
Dean, H.M.
Notes
Title based on caption of photograph
Images
Less detail

Granville Street, Vancouver

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1067
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1911]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 10.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street, looking south. The two tall buildings to the sides are under construction. Busy street activities can be seen below with two trams running along the tracks. The old Vancouver Hotel is in view and the old courthouse (later the Vancouver Art Gallery) is in view faint…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 10.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street, looking south. The two tall buildings to the sides are under construction. Busy street activities can be seen below with two trams running along the tracks. The old Vancouver Hotel is in view and the old courthouse (later the Vancouver Art Gallery) is in view faintly to the right of the photograph. An annoation on the back of the photograph reads, ""Granville St. - with OLD [underlined] / Vancouver Hotel across / from the Birks Building/ 1911/ (Court House in back of Van Hotel)."
Subjects
Geographic Features - Cities
Buildings - Commercial
Geographic Access
Vancouver
Accession Code
HV972.50.6
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1911]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-04
Photographer
Dean, H.M.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Granville Street, Vancouver

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1069
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1910]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.4 x 9.8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street, looking north. Signs for "Fletchers Pianos" and the "Colonial Theatre" can be seen. The north shore is faintly visible across Burrard Inlet.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.4 x 9.8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street, looking north. Signs for "Fletchers Pianos" and the "Colonial Theatre" can be seen. The north shore is faintly visible across Burrard Inlet.
Subjects
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Buildings - Commercial
Geographic Features - Roads
Geographic Access
Vancouver
Accession Code
HV972.50.8
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1910]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-04
Photographer
Dean, H.M.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
An annotation on the back of the photograph reads, "Granville St. - 1910."
Images
Less detail

Gwendoline Goodridge standing in doorway of Goodridge store

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20277
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[191-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w negative ; 12.5 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gwendoline Elston "Gwen" (Goodridge) Lister standing in the doorway of the Goodridge grocey store and post office located on Hastings Street in Burnaby. Signage on the windows and on the front of the store identify some of the trademarks of products sold in the store including "Royal …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w negative ; 12.5 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gwendoline Elston "Gwen" (Goodridge) Lister standing in the doorway of the Goodridge grocey store and post office located on Hastings Street in Burnaby. Signage on the windows and on the front of the store identify some of the trademarks of products sold in the store including "Royal Crown Soap", "Salada Tea" and "Kellog's Cornflakes". Signage below window on right reads "POST OFFICE".
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
Buildings - Public - Post Offices
Names
Lister, Gwendoline Elston "Gwen" Goodridge
Geographic Access
Hastings Street
Accession Code
BV023.15.3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[191-]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
3200
Scan Date
2023-09-21
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w contact sheet accompanying
Images
Less detail

Liquor Store

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1098
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[191-?]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 15.5 x 20.5 cm, mounted on card 24.5 x 29.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of an unidentified Liquor Store. Four men are visible standing inside the store.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 15.5 x 20.5 cm, mounted on card 24.5 x 29.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of an unidentified Liquor Store. Four men are visible standing inside the store.
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Accession Code
HV972.148.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[191-?]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-18
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory245
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1904-1975
Length
0:09:45
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) M…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.
Date Range
1904-1975
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:45
Names
McMurray, R.W.
Royal Oak Hotel
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
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
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

Less detail

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory246
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1916-1975
Length
0:09:05
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock and Lillian McMurray's trip back to Murdock's mother's hometown in in Northern Scotland. The discussion starts up again on the topic of Lillian (Wray) McMurray's father, Edward Wray's business, the Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office, then again with…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock and Lillian McMurray's trip back to Murdock's mother's hometown in in Northern Scotland. The discussion starts up again on the topic of Lillian (Wray) McMurray's father, Edward Wray's business, the Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office, then again with a description of the cordwood business Murdock had with Emerson Doran.
Date Range
1916-1975
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:05
Names
Wray, Edward
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
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
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

Less detail

14 records – page 1 of 1.