1 photograph : sepia ; 12 x 17cm, mounted on board 22 x 27 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of the British Columbia Electric Railway Company's Burnaby Substation that was built in 1903 and put into operation to receive and distribute power from the B.C.E.R. Buntzen Lake power dam. The electric lines came across the inlet at Barnet, along the Barnet-Hastings Road…
1 photograph : sepia ; 12 x 17cm, mounted on board 22 x 27 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
293-005
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1992-30
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of the British Columbia Electric Railway Company's Burnaby Substation that was built in 1903 and put into operation to receive and distribute power from the B.C.E.R. Buntzen Lake power dam. The electric lines came across the inlet at Barnet, along the Barnet-Hastings Road to Sperling Avenue (built for this project and called Pole Line Road) and then south to this site at the corner of Griffiths and the old Central Park interurban line (later this section was called the Highland Park line). This substation was constructed to convert the alternating current being delivered from the Buntzen power plant to direct current for the operation of the tram cars operating on the Central Park interurban route. The new brick substation replaced the wood fed steam powered 1891 Powerhouse that operated south of this site, across the tracks until its closure on May 31,1905. It was demolised in the late 1920s. This brick substation originally known as the Burnaby Substation, eventually became known as the Newell Substation. The original brick building was replaced by a new structure in 1930, which was demolished in the 1960s in favour of the open field substation that continues to operate on the same site today at 7260 Griffiths Avenue.
This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his first years in the Lochdale district of Burnaby, including his first job building a sawmill on Burnaby Lake.
This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his first years in the Lochdale district of Burnaby, including his first job building a sawmill on Burnaby Lake.
Recording is a taped interview with Alfred Bingham by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 10, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, Pioneers, and the Co-operative Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions.
After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Angus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street.
On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area.
Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society.
Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP).
Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
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.
Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. There are numerous pieces of machinery, large cogs and gears, chains on pulleys, and metal bars arranged in the high roofed warehouse building. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Interior."
Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. There are numerous pieces of machinery, large cogs and gears, chains on pulleys, and metal bars arranged in the high roofed warehouse building. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Interior."
Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. The section depicted in this photograph appears to be a loading area. There are crates and other things stacked in piles. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Interior."
Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. The section depicted in this photograph appears to be a loading area. There are crates and other things stacked in piles. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Interior."
Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. Tucked under the metal brace structures on the left of the photograph are steam donkeys. There is a man lowering a large gear in the centre on a pulley. In the foreground, to the right, is a wheelbarrow. An annotation on the back of the photo …
Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. Tucked under the metal brace structures on the left of the photograph are steam donkeys. There is a man lowering a large gear in the centre on a pulley. In the foreground, to the right, is a wheelbarrow. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Steam Donkeys."
Photograph of a large two-storey warehouse building with a sign on the top of the peek roof that reads, "VANCOUVER ENGINEERING WORKS LTD." There is a smaller sign on the side of the building that reads, "V.E.W. LTD. / STEEL FOUNDRY." An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineer…
Photograph of a large two-storey warehouse building with a sign on the top of the peek roof that reads, "VANCOUVER ENGINEERING WORKS LTD." There is a smaller sign on the side of the building that reads, "V.E.W. LTD. / STEEL FOUNDRY." An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works."
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of Harriet Woodward and her class of students outside the Woodward home near Deer Lake which served as the first school and post office in the Burnaby Lake area; (l to r): Harriet Woodward (Miss Harry), Bob Peers, Melvin Mawhinney, Muriel Sprott, Kitty Hill, Beatrice Clayton and Arthur P…
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-868
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Harriet Woodward and her class of students outside the Woodward home near Deer Lake which served as the first school and post office in the Burnaby Lake area; (l to r): Harriet Woodward (Miss Harry), Bob Peers, Melvin Mawhinney, Muriel Sprott, Kitty Hill, Beatrice Clayton and Arthur Peers. The cottage was a prefabricated building designed by J.J. Mahoney and architect Joseph Bowman and was manufactured in Vancouver by the B.C. Mills Timber and Trading Company and erected here is 1904. The cottage was enlarged with several additions until 1912 when the Woodwards built a new house.
1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified person sitting on the porch of the Maude and Harriet Woodward cottage. This house was a prefabricated cottage erected in 1904. The cottages were designed by J.J. Mahoney and architect Joseph Bowman and were manufactured in Vancouver by the B.C. Mills Timber and Tradi…
1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-890
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified person sitting on the porch of the Maude and Harriet Woodward cottage. This house was a prefabricated cottage erected in 1904. The cottages were designed by J.J. Mahoney and architect Joseph Bowman and were manufactured in Vancouver by the B.C. Mills Timber and Trading Company. Maude Woodward established a post-office here which was operated by her sister, Harriet. Harriet also began a small private school here, the first in Burnaby Lake. The cottage was enlarged with several additions until 1912 when the Woodwards built a new house.
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.3 x 20.4 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Canterbury Cathedral in England. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.3 x 20.4 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-781
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Canterbury Cathedral in England. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 9.9 x 24.2 cm mounted on cardboard 21.4 x 34.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of twelve cars lined up on the street in front of the BC Auto Company store depicted in photography HV973.22.3. There are mostly men in suits looking at the cars, but there is at least one woman and few children who are among the men. The auto store is flanked on both sides by various c…
1 photograph : b&w ; 9.9 x 24.2 cm mounted on cardboard 21.4 x 34.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of twelve cars lined up on the street in front of the BC Auto Company store depicted in photography HV973.22.3. There are mostly men in suits looking at the cars, but there is at least one woman and few children who are among the men. The auto store is flanked on both sides by various commercial stores. The annotation on the back of the card (onto which the photograph is mounted) partially identifies the people and cars in the photo. 1st car (from the right): 4-cylinder Buick, "C.A. Ross at wheel." 4th car : 2-cylinder Buick, "Chief Carlisle at wheel." 5th car: 2-cylinder Buick, Mr. & Mrs. Guinett. 7th car: 4-cylinder Buick, Mr. Brown and W.W.B. McInnis. 9th car: 4-cylinder Wayne, G. Mitchell and G. Corineau Jr. standing in front. Last car: "Russel Sight seeing car sold to Mr. Sterton for trips around Stanley Park." Also annotated on the back of the card: "1907 / 4 Cyl Buick CA Ross at wheel / 5- 2 Cyl Buicks / 2- 4 Cyl Buicks / 1- Wayne 4 Cyl / 2- Pierce Racine 7 Pass 4 Cyl / 1- Beeston Humber 4 Cyl / 1- Russell Sight Seeing Car." The acquisition record identifies the street as the 900 block, Granville Street. Printed in white on the front lower left of the card: Wadds Bros, Vancouver BC."
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 20 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of Chester Cathedral in Bedford. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 20 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-817
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Chester Cathedral in Bedford. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15.3 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15.3 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-808
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 9.6 x 15.3 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 9.6 x 15.3 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-809
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 10.3 x 15 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : b&w ; 10.3 x 15 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-780
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. This item was in a scrapbook kept by Claude Hill who was originally from England but ultimately settled in the Burnaby Lake area.
Photograph of Kingsway (then Westminster Road), looking east from Boundary Road near Central Park. Included in the photograph; Central Park Presbyterian Church, Masonic Hall and Reid's Hall.
Photograph of Kingsway (then Westminster Road), looking east from Boundary Road near Central Park. Included in the photograph; Central Park Presbyterian Church, Masonic Hall and Reid's Hall.