Overlooking the rich farmland of the Fraser River floodplain, 'Glen-Lyon' is an Edwardian era rural estate, with a tall, two and one-half storey plus basement wood-frame mansion, set in a pastoral and formal landscape with an associated barn and early log pond, located near a ravine and forested ar…
Overlooking the rich farmland of the Fraser River floodplain, 'Glen-Lyon' is an Edwardian era rural estate, with a tall, two and one-half storey plus basement wood-frame mansion, set in a pastoral and formal landscape with an associated barn and early log pond, located near a ravine and forested area adjacent to Marine Drive in South Burnaby.
Heritage Value
‘Glen-Lyon’ is valued as an excellent example of a privately-owned Edwardian era country estate built at the turn of the nineteenth century. The property retains significant heritage features including the Edwardian era mansion with rustic Arts and Crafts features, and elements of a working agricultural landscape. The property was originally the Royal City Mills logging camp, and in 1900 was purchased by Duncan Campbell McGregor (1853-1929) and Margaret Jane McGregor (1875-1960), who named their estate ‘Glen-Lyon’ after Duncan McGregor’s birthplace in Perthshire, Scotland. The McGregors were active in municipal affairs and social activities, and played a significant role in the early development of Burnaby. Duncan McGregor served as a city councillor from 1909 to 1912 and was elected reeve of Burnaby in 1913. Margaret McGregor was instrumental in the formation and fundraising activities of the Victoria Order of Nurses in Burnaby.
Additionally, the site is historically significant for its association with early social welfare and correctional reform. The estate was sold in 1926 to an inter-denominational religious organization called the Home of the Friendless, which used it as their B.C. headquarters. The organization was charged with several cases of abuse and neglect in 1937, after which a Royal Commission was formed that led to new legislation to regulate and license all private welfare institutions. 'Glen-Lyon' was sold to the provincial government, and was dedicated in 1939 by the Lt.-Gov. E.W. Hamber for use as the New Haven Borstal Home for Boys and Youthful Offenders (later renamed the New Haven Correction Centre). The Borstal movement originated in England in the late nineteenth century, as an alternative to sending young offenders and runaways to prisons by providing reformatories that focused on discipline and vocational skill. This site’s role as the first North American institution devoted to the Borstal School philosophy was historic, and influenced corrections programs across Canada. The site retains significant features from its development in 1939 as the Borstal School, including a large gambrel-roofed barn designed by Chief Provincial Architect Henry Whittaker of the Department of Public Works that is the only remaining structure of its kind in Burnaby. Between 1941 and 1945 the mansion housed the Provincial School for the Deaf and Blind when the Borstal School was closed temporarily as a war measure during the Second World War.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of 'Glen-Lyon' Mansion include its:
- location on a sloping site with expansive southern exposure, adjacent to Marine Drive
- residential form, scale and massing of the house as exemplified by its two and one-half storey height, above-ground basement and rectangular plan
- Arts and Crafts elements of the house such as its stone foundation, multi-gabled roof line with steep central hipped roof, symmetrical cross-gables, side shed dormers, bellcast upper walls sheathed in cedar shingles and lower walls sheathed in narrow clapboard
- original exterior features of the house such as the full width front verandah with square columns, central staircase on the southern elevation, original doors and stained glass windows; and the irregular fenestration such as double-hung 1-over-1 wooden-sash windows, bay windows, and projecting windows in the gable ends
- original interior features of the house such as the U-shaped main stair designed around two symmetrically placed Ionic columns, and interior trim on the main floor including boxed beams and fireplaces
- gambrel-roofed barn with roof vent with finial, sliding hay loft and access doors, small multi-pane windows, and lapped wooden siding
- associated landscape features such as the original garden plantings with some exotic and many native specimen trees; the original log pond and its concrete Marine Drive causeway and culvert; rockeries and a rose garden
Photograph of a large boiler loaded on a railway cart along with a large crate, piles of logs, and a cask. The cart is seen on a wood plank boardwalk, behind which is a view of an inlet. The area appears to be an industrial loading dock. Large stacks of wood planks can be seen to the left. The …
Photograph of a large boiler loaded on a railway cart along with a large crate, piles of logs, and a cask. The cart is seen on a wood plank boardwalk, behind which is a view of an inlet. The area appears to be an industrial loading dock. Large stacks of wood planks can be seen to the left. The boiler may be used for a steam donkey. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works- Boiler."
Photograph of a large boiler with a pile of logs beside it. The boiler may be used for a steam donkey. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Boiler."
Photograph of a large boiler with a pile of logs beside it. The boiler may be used for a steam donkey. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Boiler."
Photograph of a company badge for Vancouver Engineering Works. The shape is of a crest shield, with the following written in it: "Vancouver / Engineering / Works, Ltd. / Engineers / Vancouver, B.C." An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works- Company badge."
Photograph of a company badge for Vancouver Engineering Works. The shape is of a crest shield, with the following written in it: "Vancouver / Engineering / Works, Ltd. / Engineers / Vancouver, B.C." An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works- Company badge."
Photograph of a steam donkey engine placed on the side of railway tracks. Superimposed with a transparency onto the photograph is an explanation of the engine, not entirely legible, however, indicating that this 10' x 15' double cylinder engine was built by the Vancouver Engineering Works. An ann…
Photograph of a steam donkey engine placed on the side of railway tracks. Superimposed with a transparency onto the photograph is an explanation of the engine, not entirely legible, however, indicating that this 10' x 15' double cylinder engine was built by the Vancouver Engineering Works. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - 10 x 15 Donkey Engine."
Photograph of the piston on a steam donkey. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - detail of piston on donkey engine."
Photograph of the piston on a steam donkey. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - detail of piston on donkey engine."
Photograph is of a duplex pump for Vancouver Engineering Works. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works- Duplex Pump."
Photograph is of a duplex pump for Vancouver Engineering Works. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works- Duplex Pump."
Photograph of a large piece of machinery being operated by a man depicted on the left side of the photograph. The machinery has a centre piece that seems to be rotating, with two spouts on the side, dumping out fluid into large containers that are placed under them. An annotation on the back of t…
Photograph of a large piece of machinery being operated by a man depicted on the left side of the photograph. The machinery has a centre piece that seems to be rotating, with two spouts on the side, dumping out fluid into large containers that are placed under them. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works."
Photograph of a steam donkey against a white background. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Steam Donkey."
Photograph of a steam donkey against a white background. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Steam Donkey."
Photograph of a steam donkey against a white background. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Steam Donkey."
Photograph of a steam donkey against a white background. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Steam Donkey."
Photograph of a large boiler loaded on a railway cart along with a large crate, and piles of wood. The cart does not appear to be on a railway. The area appears to be an industrial loading dock. Large stacks of wood planks can be seen to the left. The boiler may be used for a steam donkey. An ann…
Photograph of a large boiler loaded on a railway cart along with a large crate, and piles of wood. The cart does not appear to be on a railway. The area appears to be an industrial loading dock. Large stacks of wood planks can be seen to the left. The boiler may be used for a steam donkey. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Vertical Boiler."
Photograph of a building by fast flowing stream. There are dense forests to both sides of the photograph, and mountains in the distance. Three men in suits and ties are standing by the house. The catalogue record identifies the photograph as "intake of Burnaby's water supply," and also notes "Bruce…
Photograph of a building by fast flowing stream. There are dense forests to both sides of the photograph, and mountains in the distance. Three men in suits and ties are standing by the house. The catalogue record identifies the photograph as "intake of Burnaby's water supply," and also notes "Bruce Patterson took this picture."
This portion of the recording includes Elise Wilson's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her mother Annie Walmsley Wilson. Elsie is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum). The audience briefly discusses Burnab…
This portion of the recording includes Elise Wilson's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her mother Annie Walmsley Wilson. Elsie is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum). The audience briefly discusses Burnaby's early water supply.
Recording is of interviews with Lillian May (Davies) Jones, Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves, Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter, and Elsie Wilson during the Pioneer Days celebration at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) on September 22, 1971. Major themes discussed are: personal memories and occupations of interviewees family members.
Biographical Notes
Lillian May Davies was born June 28, 1891 to George and Rachel (Mills) Davies. She was one of four children.
George Davies married Rachel Mills September 12, 1888 in Winnipeg and headed west to make their home. George’s brother Richard Davies had already bought property at the corner of 16th Street and 3rd Avenue (now 12th Avenue) when Rachel and George moved in and built a house next door. George Davies went to work for Gilley Bros. Logging Co. in Burnaby.
Lillian May Davies married John Henry Jones on July 29, 1909 at the Methodist Church in Burnaby which had opened only a few weeks before (the Joneses were the first couple to be married there). Their reception was held in the Davies’ family garden.
On June 3, 1910, Lillian and John’s first child, Arnold Jones was born. In 1919 they adopted their second child, John Sheldon Jones whose birth parents had died of influenza.
John and Lillian built a home on the lot next to Lillian’s parents and lived there for forty-eight years. After her husband’s death in 1956, Lillian moved one lot over and remained living there for over twenty years.
Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine for over twenty years.
Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine.
Ada Evelyn Lewis was born on September 11, 1899. She was one of nine Lewis children.
Ada's father came to Victoria BC from San Francisco. He met his wife in Victoria and moved to New Westminster where he was a typesetter on the first edition of the Columbian newspaper. He continued to work for the Columbian until his retirement.
Her family owned the East Burnaby Fruit Farm at 17th Avenue between 2nd and 4th Street where they harvested apples, plums and pears. Ada attended East Burnaby School in 1905 and remembers being a pupil of Miss Draper.
Ada E. Lewis married and became Mrs. Ada Evelyn Groves.
Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis was born in 1896 to William Henry and Emma (Smith) Lewis at the family farm at 4th Street and 18th Avenue. The family grew to nine, eldest to youngest; Albert, Lizzie, Minnie, Walter, Ernest, Lillie and Evelyn.
Lillie’s mother, Emma (Smith) had the distinction of being the first girl of European descent to be born at Fort Victoria. Lillie’s father, William Henry Lewis helped to print the very first edition of the Vancouver Province in 1898.
Lillie attended Douglas Road School and remembers being a pupil of Ellen Lister.
Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis married Bertie Blaine Porter at Lulu Island on November 7, 1918. They lived in Vancouver for a short time before returning to Burnaby to raise their four children. For most of his working life Bert operated a steam roller for the municipality.
Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter died May 18, 1988 at the age of ninety-two.
Elsie Wilson was born August 16, 1898 to Annie and her second husband William Wilson.
Annie’s first husband Samuel W Walmsley died December 20, 1895 at the age of thirty-five, leaving Annie a widow at twenty-seven with two young children Annie age four and Samuel age six.
Annie Walmsley married her second husband William Wilson on April 17, 1897.
Elsie attended West Burnaby public school (later Kingsway West elementary) and remembers picking raspberries at various Burnaby farms for seven seasons.
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.
Audio Tracks
Track four of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
Track four of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
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 : sepia ; 6.1 x 10.7 cm, mounted on album page 13.5 x 18.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a waterfront area in downtown Vancouver; the post office is visible to the left and the CPR depot to the right. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. A caption written on the album page in white ink reads, "Post Office and C.P.R. Depot / From Roo…
1 photograph : sepia ; 6.1 x 10.7 cm, mounted on album page 13.5 x 18.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a waterfront area in downtown Vancouver; the post office is visible to the left and the CPR depot to the right. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. A caption written on the album page in white ink reads, "Post Office and C.P.R. Depot / From Roof of Rogers Bldg / Vancouver B.C."
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 10.1 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 11.0 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Vancouver waterfront area, including the post office. The north shore can be seen faintly across the Burrard Inlet. A large cruise ship is in the dock beside the post office. Inscribed on the scrapbook paper in white ink: "Post Office and Docks / From Rogers Bldg. Vancouver. B.C."
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 10.1 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 11.0 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Vancouver waterfront area, including the post office. The north shore can be seen faintly across the Burrard Inlet. A large cruise ship is in the dock beside the post office. Inscribed on the scrapbook paper in white ink: "Post Office and Docks / From Rogers Bldg. Vancouver. B.C."
1 photograph : sepia ; 8.8 x 10.2 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 12.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the post office near the downtown Vancouver waterfront. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. Inscribed on the negative, printed on the photograph, lower left: "Post Office / Vancouver B.C."
1 photograph : sepia ; 8.8 x 10.2 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 12.2 cm
Material Details
inscribed on the negative, printed on the photograph, l.l., "POST OFFICE/ VANCOUVER B.C."
Scope and Content
Photograph of the post office near the downtown Vancouver waterfront. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. Inscribed on the negative, printed on the photograph, lower left: "Post Office / Vancouver B.C."
Photograph of the First Division class for 1907 at West Burnaby School (later renamed Kingsway West School). There are two rows of students standing and one row of seated students. there is a male teacher standing on the left side of the group just beside a bicycle that is leaning against the build…
Handwritten in the photograph is "1st Div 1907 / West Burnaby School". The reverse side of the photograph is printed in a postcard format.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the First Division class for 1907 at West Burnaby School (later renamed Kingsway West School). There are two rows of students standing and one row of seated students. there is a male teacher standing on the left side of the group just beside a bicycle that is leaning against the building.