Central Park was one of the first and fastest-growing communities in Burnaby. Located along the electric tram line and the Vancouver Road (Kingsway), it was also chosen for a government settlement project referred to as the Central Park Small Holdings. The lands held by the Provincial Government were subdivided and sold around 1894 and by 1899 the settlement was large enough to warrant the construction of an Anglican Church there.
The Clerk be Instructed to Write to Mr. Sprott to Notify the Council re being at Liberty and to Examine the Hastings Road in View of the Government Grant
In 1860, as the Royal Engineers constructed the road from New Westminster to Vancouver (now Kingsway), a military reserve was set aside at the trail's highest point along the ridge. This reserve provided a particularly good scenic look-out since the original forest had burned down prior to 1860, the remaining stumps offered unobstructed views. By the 1880s, the city council of both New Westminster and Vancouver eyed the reserve as potential recreation ground. As construction of the tram line was underway, the Provincial Government moved to designate the whole reserve as a park. On January 14, 1891, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia proclaimed it as a public recreation ground.
One of the first tasks of Burnaby's Municipal Government upon its incorporation was to lobby for a public school in Burnaby. By 1893, land on Douglas Road near Edmonds was donated and the new school was built in 1893. The one-room school opened on January 22, 1894 with 29 students under the charge of teacher, Ethel LePage. The School has been known as the Burnaby School (until1896), and then East Burnaby School from 1896 to 1907 and finally, Edmonds Street School.
Item consists of a "MAP OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF BRITISH COLUMBIA”. Map identifies geographic land districts of New Westminster District; Coast District; Lillooet District; Yale District, Kamloops Division, Yale Division and districts on Vancouver Island. Map also includes the northern portions…
Item consists of a "MAP OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF BRITISH COLUMBIA”. Map identifies geographic land districts of New Westminster District; Coast District; Lillooet District; Yale District, Kamloops Division, Yale Division and districts on Vancouver Island. Map also includes the northern portions of the State of Washington below the 49th parallel.
1 plan : graphite on paper + 2 plans : black ink on paper + 1 map : col. on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board with one New Westminster District subdivision plan mounted on one side and two New Westminster District subdivision plans and one colour map mounted on the other side.
Side A:
1. "Plan / of Subdivision of / Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / Lot 77 / Group 1 / New Westminster D…
1 plan : graphite on paper + 2 plans : black ink on paper + 1 map : col. on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales 1:720 and 1:1200 and 1:.00001578
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board with one New Westminster District subdivision plan mounted on one side and two New Westminster District subdivision plans and one colour map mounted on the other side.
Side A:
1. "Plan / of Subdivision of / Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / Lot 77 / Group 1 / New Westminster District / BC. / Scale 100 feet = 1 inch", "Deposited 8th day / of April 1890 / Mowileg [sic] / Dist. Regt". Plan is drawn in graphite with annotations: "AB_Parts_lettered_are_lots_in / the_different_subdivisions" / "Owners: / James E. Hall / P.S.Cabilan [sic] by his attorney Joseph Hall / Joseph Hall / Eliza J. Shannon / John Harrison"; "This plan is correct and is prepared under the / provisions of the Land Registry Act" ; signed by: "Gordon Herman & Burwell / Dominion & Provincial Land Surveryors / Vancouver March 19th/90" . Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) and measures: 99.5 x 65 cm (Geographic location: Burnaby)
Side B:
1. Map titled "Canada / Department of Mines / Geological Survey Branch" / "Hon.W Templeton, Minister / A.P. Low, Deputy Minister / R.W. Brock, Acting Director", Vol. XXXI, Plate I / Compiled under the direction of / James White, F.R.G.S. Geographer /Dep. of Interior". Note above map reads: "To illustrate Mr. James Barrowman's report as Delegate at the Excursion - meeting of the Canadian Mining Institute", "The instiitution of Mining Engineers / Transactions 1908 - 1909", "The Mining Institute of Scotland / Transactions 1908-1909". Map identifies minerals and includes a Legend and Scale: 100 miles = 1 inch
2. "Plan / of Subdivision of / Lot 4 / of Subdivision of / Lot 87. Gr. 1 / New Westminster District / Scale 60' = 1in." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] along with a note "also Board / 48" (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby)
3. Plan of "Lot 335 / G. 1" west of Boundary Road and north of River Road - Vancouver. (Geographic location: Vancouver)
Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.
History
The City of Burnaby covers an area of approximately 98 square kilometers between the cities of Vancouver to the west, and Coquitlam and New Westminster to the east, Burrard Inlet to the north, and the Fraser River to the south. The municipality derived its name from Robert Burnaby, a prominent businessman and advisor to Sir James Douglas, the first Governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia.
Burnaby’s early development was closely tied to the development of the City of New Westminster. New Westminster became British Columbia’s capital in 1859, the year after the British Government proclaimed the establishment of British Columbia. Shortly thereafter, the Royal Engineers began exploring Burnaby to establish military defenses and secure natural resources. This involved the construction of a road linking New Westminster to Burrard Inlet for military purposes, which is present-day North Road.
At this time, individuals and families began settling in Burnaby and were largely involved in agricultural and logging activities. Burnaby developed slowly until 1887, when the Canadian Pacific Railway was extended into Vancouver from the Port Moody terminal, causing a dramatic increase in traffic between New Westminster and Vancouver. To meet the new transportation demands, a tramline was built in 1891 connecting the two urban centers along what is now Kingsway.
The creation and location of the tramline induced property owners to begin subdividing and selling their lands as early as October 1891. The property taxes the roughly 200 residents paid at this time went directly to the provincial government in Victoria. No local services were provided in turn, which prompted the formation of a committee to petition the provincial government for a municipal charter. As a result, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was incorporated by letters patent on September 22, 1892.
Burnaby’s first Council was elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892 and consisted of Reeve Charles R. Shaw and councillors William Brenchley, Arthur De Windt Hazard, L. Claude Hill, William McDermott, and John Woolard.* The first formal Council election was conducted three months later. Nicolai Shou became the first elected reeve of Burnaby by ballot. Council met at various locations, including the tramline’s power house, private homes, and offices until the first municipal hall was built at Kingsway and Edmonds in 1899. Council is ultimately responsible for the government of the City of Burnaby. The Mayor (formally called “Reeve” prior to 1968) and Council are elected by the residents of Burnaby to represent them in decisions with respect to the provision of public services and facilities. Additionally, the Mayor represents the citizens of Burnaby at various public functions and events.
Burnaby was without Council representation during most of the Great Depression and part of the Second World War. Council was disbanded on December 31, 1932 as a result of financial difficulties. The Provincial Government appointed a Commissioner to take over the duties of Reeve and Council beginning in 1933. This system of government was retained until January 1943, when Burnaby residents could once again elect their local government officials.
The following individuals have served as Mayor (or Reeve) of Burnaby:
Charles R. Shaw 1892
Nicolai C. Schou 1893-1903
Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905
Peter Byrne 1906-1910
John W. Weart 1911-1912
Duncan C. McGregor 1913
Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918
Thomas Sanderson 1919-1920
Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929
Charles C. Bell 1927
William L. Burdick 1929
William A. Pritchard 1930-1932
William Tate Wilson 1943-1944
George A. Morrison 1945-1949
William R. Beamish 1950-1953
Charles W. MacSorley 1954-1957
Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968
Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973
Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979
David M. Mercier 1979-1981
William A. Lewarne 1981-1987
William J. Copeland 1987-1996
Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002
Derek R. Corrigan 2002-2018
Mike Hurley 2018-present
The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby:
John Bennett 1933
John Mahony 1933-1934
Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940*
R.S. Gilchrist 1941-1942*
B.C. Bracewell 1942*
*Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner.
Closely associated with the functions of Council is the City Clerk. The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for the statutory duties of the municipal clerk including the preparation and preservation of all minutes books and records of Council business, custody of City bylaws, administrative support to Council and its Committees, preparation of Council and Committee agendas and the conduct of local government elections.
The Clerk’s Office is the communications link between Council and other City Departments and the general public, and provides assistance and advice to citizens with respect to Council and Council Committee processes, reporting procedures and decisions.
At the time of Burnaby’s incorporation in 1892, the municipal Clerk had the responsibility to attend all meetings of Council, keep all records of Council, prepare and alter voters’ lists, conduct Council elections, collect revenue, as well as having the responsibility to prepare balance sheets and audits. An advertisement in a local newspaper for the appointment of the Clerk dated February 1, 1905 states the “united offices of clerk, collector and assessor” receive a salary of $65.00 per month.
Originally the treasurer, assessor and records manager for the corporation, the Clerk eventually became the municipal Council liaison. The primary functions of the City Clerk over time have been the keeping of minutes for the meetings of City Council and related bodies; keeping the records of the City of Burnaby as required by the Local Government Act (formally Municipal Act); keeping all records related to City Council decision making; carrying out correspondence on behalf of Council; assembling voters’ lists and carrying out elections; providing communication, information, and public relations services, including responsibility for civic ceremonies/events, and the municipal archives.
The following individuals have served as City Clerk:
Alexander Philip 1892–1894
Alfred Smither 1894–1899
F.J.H. Shirley 1899–1901
Arthur De Windt Haszard 1901–1902
Walter J. Walker 1902–1905
Benjamin George Walker 1905–1908
Charles Thomas Saunders 1908–1911
W.M. Griffiths 1911–1912
Arthur G. Moore 1912–1933
Charles Boyer Brown 1933–1959
John H. Shaw 1959–1973*
James Hudson 1974–1984
Charles A. Turpin 1984–1995
Debbie R. Comis 1995–2011
Anne Skipsey (Acting) 2011-2012
Maryann Manuel (Acting) 2012-2014
Dennis Back 2014-2018
Kate O'Connell 2018-2020
Blanka Zeinabova 2020-2022
*Deputy City Clerk T. Ward took over many of the Clerk’s duties from 1972 to 1973 due to Shaw’s ill health during these years.
Formats
Microforms exist for some records. See series descriptions.
Fonds consists of those records created by the office of the Mayor during the administrations of Robert W. Prittie (1969-1973), Thomas W. Constable (1973-1979), David M. Mercier (1979-1981), William A. Lewarne (1981-1987), William J. Copeland (1987-1996), John Douglas Drummond (1996-2002) and Derek…
Fonds consists of those records created by the office of the Mayor during the administrations of Robert W. Prittie (1969-1973), Thomas W. Constable (1973-1979), David M. Mercier (1979-1981), William A. Lewarne (1981-1987), William J. Copeland (1987-1996), John Douglas Drummond (1996-2002) and Derek Corrigan (2002-2018).
History
On September 22, 1892, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was established by letters patent. An integral component of this incorporation was the creation of the office of the Reeve (later called Mayor). The Reeve was to serve as the Head and Chief Executive Officer of Burnaby and was to lead the City Council in the governing of the Corporation. Burnaby’s first Reeve and Council were elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892, with formal elections held by ballot three months later. From 1893 until 1977 the Reeve and Council were elected for one-year terms, but the practice of annual elections was abandoned in favour of two-year terms in 1977. The current practice of holding elections every three years was begun in 1987. Elections of Reeve and Council were suspended altogether in 1933. However, as a financial crisis in the Corporation resulted in the Province intervening and assuming control of the local government. For ten years, Commissioners were appointed by the Provincial Government to manage the affairs of the Municipality, but by January 1943, the situation had been remedied and local elections were once again held.
From 1892 until 1968, the Chief Executive Officer in Burnaby was known as “Reeve,” but this nomenclature changed with revisions to the Local Government Act in the latter part of the twentieth century. In 1968, the Province altered the Act and abolished the practice of assigning different titles to the members of Council based on Municipal Classification and introduced "Mayor" and "Alderman" as terms applicable in all Municipalities not just those of a certain size or with a certain number of citizens. From that point on, the CEO of Burnaby has been referred to as the Mayor of the City.
Despite these changes in election procedures, naming protocols, and the disruption caused by the financial crisis in the 1930s and 1940s, the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor have remained relatively stable throughout the years. As Head and Chief Executive Officer of the City, the Mayor is responsible for ensuring that the principles of law and good government are enforced in Burnaby. This includes the task of overseeing the conduct of officers and employees and directing the management of municipal business and affairs as well as chairing the meetings of Council and appointing Council Committee members. The Mayor is also charged with the duty of representing the City at public functions, in meetings with visiting dignitaries, and in participating in local community and fundraising events.
Initially, the Municipal Clerk assisted the Mayor in his work by handling most correspondence and clerical tasks of the office. Today, however, the Mayor’s office retains its own administrative staff who are responsible for facilitating all schedules and arrangements for the Mayor along with coordinating their internal and external contacts and events.
The following individuals have served as Reeve or Mayor of Burnaby:
Charles R. Shaw 1892
Nicolai C. Shou 1893-1903
Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905
Peter Byrne 1906-1910
J. W. Weart 1911-1912
D. C. McGregor 1913
Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918
T. Sanderson 1919-1920
Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929
Charles C. Bell 1927
W. L. Burdick 1929
W. A. Pritchard 1930-1932
William Tate Wilson 1943-1944
George A. Morrison 1945-1949
William R. Beamish 1950-1953
Charles W. MacSorely 1954-1957
Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968
Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973
Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979
David M. Mercier 1979-1981
William A. Lewarne 1981-1987
William J. Copeland 1987-1996
Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002
Derek Corrigan 2002-2018
Mike Hurley 2018-present
The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby:
John Bennett 1932-1933
John Mahony 1933-1934
Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940*
R. S. Gilchrist 1941*
B. C. Bracewell 1942*
*Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner.
Subseries consists of publications, ephemera and photographs pertaining to the Bailey family.
History
Charles William Bailey was born in St. Thomas, Ontario on September 1, 1887. Shortly after, his family moved to the west coast. After the Vancouver fire of 1896, his family moved to Burnaby and acquired seven acres of government-offered land.
Charles married Sapperton-born Minnie Bendle Booth in New Westminster on January 2, 1914, just seven days shy of her sixteenth birthday. Charles worked for Vancouver Iron Works and the couple lived at 1505 11th Avenue in Burnaby. Their first child, Frank Albert William Bailey was born at the house on May 19, 1916. Winnifred Patricia Bailey was born in the same house May 25, 1918. Theodore Bailey was born August 8, 1919 but only lived until August 12 of the same year. Their fourth child, Norman Charles Edward "Charlie" Bailey was born at the Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, BC on September 1, 1922.
Frank was a member of Division XIII at Kingsway West School in 1922. Winnifred was a member of class seven at Burnaby South High School in 1932. By 1958, both Charlie and Frank were married and Minnie and Charles had three grandsons and one granddaughter.
From 1922, the family lived at 3125 Kathleen Avenue, Burnaby (later renumbered 6080 Kathleen Avenue). In 1995, the Bailey family house at 6080 Kathleen Avenue was acquired by the City of Burnaby as part of the Metrotown Development Plan. The property was purchased for land development purposes and the house demolished.
Series consists of all bylaws passed, signed and sealed by the municipal Council of Burnaby, as well as drafts of bylaws that did not receive final adoption or a final reading. Bylaws pertain to all aspects of municipal government, including, but not limited to, public works, land and building reg…
Series consists of all bylaws passed, signed and sealed by the municipal Council of Burnaby, as well as drafts of bylaws that did not receive final adoption or a final reading. Bylaws pertain to all aspects of municipal government, including, but not limited to, public works, land and building regulation, taxation, finance, licensing, public health and safety, and recreation and culture.
Series also includes files of correspondence and other documents related to the development of individual bylaws and municipal bylaw elections, as well as appendices to bylaws, including maps, plans, and engineering related comprehensive development drawings (CD plans). Included also are bylaw record books, which list all bylaws and related information, such as dates of reading and final adoption dates.
Bylaws are numbered sequentially and are arranged according to bylaw number.
Formats
Microfiche copies are available in the Clerk’s Department vault for bylaws number 1 to 10584.