The Second Street School was originally established at this location as a two-room schoolhouse in 1913 to relieve the overcrowding of Edmonds School during the pre-First World War building boom. The old school was converted into an auditorium when this handsome school building was constructed in 1928. The new school, built by local contractors Ward-Leverington Ltd., included four classrooms, a library, a room for the principal, and a room for the teachers. The original brick façade has been retained although it has been painted; other intact original features include the bellcast octagonal roof ventilator and the protruding front entrance. The Burnaby School Board architect at this time was the talented firm of McCarter & Nairne, who also designed the Douglas Road School. John Y. McCarter (1886-1981) and George Nairne (1884-1953) formed their partnership in 1921 after serving overseas during the First World War. The partners began designing houses and small apartment buildings, and larger commissions soon followed, including Vancouver’s first skyscraper, the Marine Building (1928-30).
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Ilma Dunn (centre) and her sons, Robert Dunn (left) and Fred Dunn (right), with 2nd Street School in the background. They each have toys in their hands. Robert is wearing a mask pushed to the top of his head.
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-271
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Ilma Dunn (centre) and her sons, Robert Dunn (left) and Fred Dunn (right), with 2nd Street School in the background. They each have toys in their hands. Robert is wearing a mask pushed to the top of his head.
Photograph of East Burnaby Methodist Church, dedicated in June, 1910, and located at the corner of Douglas Road (later Canada Way) and 12th Avenue. It was raised during the time Rev. William Beamish was minister, 1924-1930, and also became part of the United Church of Canada. On the left, the man…
Photograph of East Burnaby Methodist Church, dedicated in June, 1910, and located at the corner of Douglas Road (later Canada Way) and 12th Avenue. It was raised during the time Rev. William Beamish was minister, 1924-1930, and also became part of the United Church of Canada. On the left, the manse can be seen on the same lot. The church was torn down in 1956 and a new one built on another property.
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 23.5 cm (sight), in mat 29 x 33 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the East Burnaby Owls Lacrosse team and officials. The players are in the front three rows, in uniform and holding their lacrosse sticks. Most of the men standing in the back row are wearing suits. Standing in the back row are; J. Fox, J. G. Mill, Richard Bolton, D.P. Gray, team manag…
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 23.5 cm (sight), in mat 29 x 33 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the East Burnaby Owls Lacrosse team and officials. The players are in the front three rows, in uniform and holding their lacrosse sticks. Most of the men standing in the back row are wearing suits. Standing in the back row are; J. Fox, J. G. Mill, Richard Bolton, D.P. Gray, team manager George Leaf, Commissioner Hugh M. Fraser, Clifton G. Brown, Charles B. Brown, Dr. Sager, F. Copland and G.H. Moore. Second row: S. Shannon, Toebart, B. Cosh, Wynn, N. Beaton, A. Murray, J. Tuka, Shaflik, Jack Leaf (George Leaf's son), [unidentified] and H. McMillan. Third row: Bob McMillan, Whittles, C. Thomson, R. Turner, A. Williams, C. Middleton, J. Douglas, M. Bowes, G. Tuka, A. Wood and F. Douglas. Front Row: Bill Clark, J. Cowie, J. Odin, J. McLachlan, Doug McCallum, N. Pederson, H. Pederson and R. Douglas. This photograph was believed to be taken at the opening of the Twelfth Avenue and Wright Street Lacrosse box in 1936.
Type written note glued to verso of card mount reads: "Top row: J. Fox, J. G. Mill, R. Bolton, D.P. Gray, Geo. Leaf, Cmr. Fraser, C.G. Brown, C.B. Brown, Dr. Sager, F. Copland, G.H. Moore. Second row: S. Shannon, Toebart, B. Cosh, Wynn, N. Beaton, A. Murray, J. Tuka, Shaflik, J. Leaf, [unidentified] , H. McMillan. Third row: Bob McMillan, Whittles, C. Thomson, R. Turner, A. Williams, C. Middleton, J. Douglas, M. Bowes, G. Tuka, A Wood, F. Douglas Front Row: Bill Clark, J. Cowie, J. Odin, J. McLachlan, D. McCallum, N. Pederson, H. Pederson, R. Douglas"
Window mat and backing are glued together
Photographer's stamp on recto of mat reads: "The Stride Studios / New Westminster BC"
This photograph was believed to be taken at the opening of the Twelfth Avenue and Wright Street Lacrosse box in 1936.
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 2.6 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Ilma Beamish Dunn and her son, Robert Dunn, in the front yard of their home at 1790 2nd Street (later renumbered as the 7400 block of 2nd Street). Second Street School is visible in the background. The photograph was taken during the summer of 1938.
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 2.6 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-270
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Ilma Beamish Dunn and her son, Robert Dunn, in the front yard of their home at 1790 2nd Street (later renumbered as the 7400 block of 2nd Street). Second Street School is visible in the background. The photograph was taken during the summer of 1938.
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.2 x 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph is a double exposure; the first image is of Ilma Dunn; the second image is of Fred and Robert Dunn. In both exposures, the family members are standing in front of their home at 1790 2nd Street (later renumbered as the 7400 block of 2nd Street). They are dressed for a royal visit, and th…
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.2 x 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Material Details
Photograph is a double exposure
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-273
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph is a double exposure; the first image is of Ilma Dunn; the second image is of Fred and Robert Dunn. In both exposures, the family members are standing in front of their home at 1790 2nd Street (later renumbered as the 7400 block of 2nd Street). They are dressed for a royal visit, and the boys are carrying flags.
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's memories of first coming to Burnaby. He discusses his school years, his father's work and his own employment, including the two years he worked for his uncle at the Orangeville Sun in Ontario.
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's memories of first coming to Burnaby. He discusses his school years, his father's work and his own employment, including the two years he worked for his uncle at the Orangeville Sun in Ontario.
Recording is of an interview with John Burton conducted by Jim Wolf on March 4, 1987 in New Westminster. Major themes include New Westminster businesses and his grandfather's newspaper.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930.
While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school.
John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter.
When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
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 one of interview with John Burton by Jim Wolf
Track one of interview with John Burton by Jim Wolf
Photograph of a Second Street School classroom. The students are seated at desks, and the teacher is standing behind them beside a chalkboard and a map.
Photograph of a Second Street School classroom. The students are seated at desks, and the teacher is standing behind them beside a chalkboard and a map.
Photograph of a Second Street School class taken outside of the school. Back row, left to right: Kenneth Wilson, Victor Spong, Gordon Ramsey, Murdoch McLeod, Keith Waite, Frank Trewern, Herbert Spong, and Charlie Trewern. Next row, left to right: Mina Fraser, Florence Wilson, Ethel Beamish, Eliza…
Photograph of a Second Street School class taken outside of the school. Back row, left to right: Kenneth Wilson, Victor Spong, Gordon Ramsey, Murdoch McLeod, Keith Waite, Frank Trewern, Herbert Spong, and Charlie Trewern. Next row, left to right: Mina Fraser, Florence Wilson, Ethel Beamish, Elizabeth Murray, Gladys Brown, Gwen Allman, Ethel Meade, Jean Campbell, Dorothy White, Masie Frost, and Doreen Burton. 2nd row from front, left to right: Madge Donald, Ilma Beamish, Annie McDonald, Edna Townsend, Jessie Murray, Frances Atkinson, Elizabeth Moody, Helen Sutherland, and Helen Spong. Front row, left to right: Leslie Roy, Harold Allman, Bernard Gosse, Stanley Owen, Ralph Stapely, Percey Bettles, Archie Card, Norman Swift, and Gilbert Bettles. The teacher, at back, is Miss Sutcliffe.
Photograph of Grade 2 class at Second Street School. (2nd from right) Hazel Butler; (3rd from right) Jessica Scott, daughter of Jim Scott, owner of Model Grocery. Their teacher was Miss Hurley (not in photograph). Other playmates: Ena Russell, Evelyn Salt, and Lorraine Patience (not idenified).
Photograph of Grade 2 class at Second Street School. (2nd from right) Hazel Butler; (3rd from right) Jessica Scott, daughter of Jim Scott, owner of Model Grocery. Their teacher was Miss Hurley (not in photograph). Other playmates: Ena Russell, Evelyn Salt, and Lorraine Patience (not idenified).
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified is Jack Leaf (back row, far left). The teacher of this class was Miss Evans (not in photograph). Jack Leaf's father, George Leaf, opened one of the first businesses in Burnaby, the George Leaf General Store.
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified is Jack Leaf (back row, far left). The teacher of this class was Miss Evans (not in photograph). Jack Leaf's father, George Leaf, opened one of the first businesses in Burnaby, the George Leaf General Store.
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified: (2nd row, far left) Ellen "Nellie" Fetherstonhaugh (she later changed her first name to Leta and later became Leta Arden), and (2nd row, 2nd from right) Edith Fetherstonhaugh. Leta and Edith were daughters of Richard and Catherine Fetherstonh…
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified: (2nd row, far left) Ellen "Nellie" Fetherstonhaugh (she later changed her first name to Leta and later became Leta Arden), and (2nd row, 2nd from right) Edith Fetherstonhaugh. Leta and Edith were daughters of Richard and Catherine Fetherstonhaugh (nee McCusker).
Photograph of a Second Street School Grade 2 class. Identified: (top row, 2nd from left) Clarence Henshaw, and (middle row, 3rd from left) Gordon Henshaw. The school principal was Mrs. Potkins (not in photograph).
Photograph of a Second Street School Grade 2 class. Identified: (top row, 2nd from left) Clarence Henshaw, and (middle row, 3rd from left) Gordon Henshaw. The school principal was Mrs. Potkins (not in photograph).
Photograph of the first Silvanovicz family home at 2109 Willard Street (old street numbering system). Members of the Sivanovicz family are in front, left to right: Helen (daughter), Mary (mother), and Alex (son).
Photograph of the first Silvanovicz family home at 2109 Willard Street (old street numbering system). Members of the Sivanovicz family are in front, left to right: Helen (daughter), Mary (mother), and Alex (son).