The Andy Johnson House is a large, one and one-half storey plus above-ground basement wood-frame mansion on a rubble-stone granite foundation with a red terra cotta pantile roof and an octagonal corner turret. The building stands in a prominent location on a corner lot on Kingsway, one of Burnaby’s…
The Andy Johnson House is a large, one and one-half storey plus above-ground basement wood-frame mansion on a rubble-stone granite foundation with a red terra cotta pantile roof and an octagonal corner turret. The building stands in a prominent location on a corner lot on Kingsway, one of Burnaby’s main transportation and commercial corridors, and stands adjacent to the Burlington Square Development.
Heritage Value
The Andy Johnson House 'Glenedward' is a valued representation of a prominent upper middle-class family dwelling from the pre-First World War era. Andrew M. Johnson (1861-1934), an early Vancouver pioneer, and his wife Margaret built this house in 1912, in an imposing style favoured by the newly wealthy of the prewar boom period. Born in Norway, Andrew Johnson arrived in Vancouver just months after the Great Fire of 1886 and went into partnership with J. (Ollie) Atkins in a transportation company that became the Mainland Transfer Company, eventually the largest of its kind in Vancouver. Johnson also operated Burnaby's historic Royal Oak Hotel, once located on the opposite corner from his estate.
Additionally, the Andy Johnson House is significant for the high-quality design and construction of both the house and its landscaped setting. Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the house exhibits a rare degree of opulence in building materials, including imported terra cotta roof tiles, oak and walnut interior millwork, and stained glass manufactured by the Royal City Glass Company. The rubble-stone foundations and perimeter walls were obtained from two massive granite glacial erratic boulders found on the property. The house has been relocated closer to the corner, but the encircling stone walls, the gate posts and gates manufactured by the Westminster Iron Works and some of the original plantings have been retained. A grouping of three giant Sequoias, other mature deciduous trees and massings of shrubbery indicate the type of landscape setting considered appropriate for an estate house in the early years of the twentieth century.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Andy Johnson House include its:
- corner location on Kingsway at Royal Oak Avenue
- residential form, scale and massing as expressed by the one and one-half storey height, above-ground basement, octagonal corner turret and rectangular plan
- British Arts and Crafts details such as the use of natural indigenous materials, half-timbering in the gables and dormers, picturesque roofline, cedar shingle siding, extended eaves, native granite rubble-stone foundation with red-coloured mortar, and granite piers and chimneys
- additional exterior features such as the central front entrance, elaborate wrap-around verandah, porte-cochere and balcony at second storey lighted with original cast iron electric lanterns
- red terra cotta pantile roof cladding
- fenestration, such as double-hung 1-over-1 wooden-sash windows with stained glass and leaded lights in the upper sash
- original interior features such as fireplaces, wainscoting finished with oak and walnut millwork, and three-quarter sawn oak flooring
- associated landscape features including three giant Sequoias. granite walls, granite gate posts and wrought iron gates
George Searby Buxton (1867-1955), an English-born carpenter, built this Arts and Crafts dwelling and resided here with his wife and local teacher Mary Isabel Buxton (née Nattriss, 1865-1941). George and Mary are both buried in the picturesque St. Helen’s Anglican Church cemetery in Surrey. The house retains this style’s characteristic elements such as half-timbering, an oriel window and turned verandah supports, as well as its distinctive windows, which are casements in the lower portion of the frame and a fixed multi-paned sash in the upper. The original siding has been covered with a later coat of stucco. The house survives in well-maintained condition.
Carpenter Henry J. Adams constructed this side-gabled, shingle-clad bungalow circa 1913, with his neighbour, George S. Buxton (1867-1955), who was also a carpenter. The house is distinguished by its beautifully-detailed wraparound verandah, which is supported by square, tapered columns, and its distinctive semicircular window in the projecting front gable. Other details include a subtly flattened arched opening under the gable, leading to the central front entry.
The years 1911-1912 saw great expansion and settlement in Burnaby and large public works projects were undertaken to service the growing community. One project that was determined to be a necessity was the construction of a proper highway between New Westminster and Vancouver. The Province and the Municipality agreed to share the costs of construction (with Burnaby paying 25% and the Province 75%) and so Kingsway was built to improve the current Vancouver Road. The road was named after the famous King's Way in London, England.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of 3830 Hazel Street (later renumbered 4662 Hazel Street) during the summer. A woman, probably Mrs. R.W. MacPhaden, is seated on the front steps.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-746
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of 3830 Hazel Street (later renumbered 4662 Hazel Street) during the summer. A woman, probably Mrs. R.W. MacPhaden, is seated on the front steps.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 5.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the view from 3830 Hazel Street (later renumbered 4662 Hazel Street) in the snow. Spud Murphy's car, a Desoto, can be seen in the street and the George family's house is in the background.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 5.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-747
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the view from 3830 Hazel Street (later renumbered 4662 Hazel Street) in the snow. Spud Murphy's car, a Desoto, can be seen in the street and the George family's house is in the background.
1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm, mounted on board 21.5 x 27 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Andrew M. Johnson, his wife Margaret and their child Andrew Sloane Johnson holding on to their dog, in a chauffeured car, parked in front of their house.
1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm, mounted on board 21.5 x 27 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
335-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1997-16
Scope and Content
Photograph of Andrew M. Johnson, his wife Margaret and their child Andrew Sloane Johnson holding on to their dog, in a chauffeured car, parked in front of their house.
1 photograph : b&w panorama ; 13.5 x 34.5 cm mounted on mattboard 20 x 38 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Andrew M. Johnson house "Glenedward" and surrounding property at Kingsway and Royal Oak Avenue. Andrew Johnson built the house around 1911, then occupied the residence until his death in 1934. His wife sold the property in 1943, after which, the place operated as a funeral home un…
1 photograph : b&w panorama ; 13.5 x 34.5 cm mounted on mattboard 20 x 38 cm
Material Details
Panorama was created by printing two negatives and joining them together
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Andrew M. Johnson house "Glenedward" and surrounding property at Kingsway and Royal Oak Avenue. Andrew Johnson built the house around 1911, then occupied the residence until his death in 1934. His wife sold the property in 1943, after which, the place operated as a funeral home until 1980 or 1981. The building was then purchased by Wales McLelland development company, then went through a series of restaurant owners' hands.
1 photograph : b&w copy print ; 8.7 x 12.7 cm + copy negative
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Andrew M. Johnson's house "Glenedward," at 5152 Kingsway. Two men and two boys are outside the house, with the youngest boy is seated in a toy car. A low stone wall is surrounding the yard.
1 photograph : b&w copy print ; 8.7 x 12.7 cm + copy negative
Description Level
Item
Record No.
181-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1986-29
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Andrew M. Johnson's house "Glenedward," at 5152 Kingsway. Two men and two boys are outside the house, with the youngest boy is seated in a toy car. A low stone wall is surrounding the yard.
Photograph of people on the front steps of the home of Arthur Lobley located on Marlborough Avenue, off Kingsway. Arthur Lobley is sitting in the front, and the rest of the group are standing behind him. They are identified as (left to right) Mrs. A. Lobley (Dolly) in hat, Winnie Patterson, Emma Su…
Photograph of people on the front steps of the home of Arthur Lobley located on Marlborough Avenue, off Kingsway. Arthur Lobley is sitting in the front, and the rest of the group are standing behind him. They are identified as (left to right) Mrs. A. Lobley (Dolly) in hat, Winnie Patterson, Emma Sully, and Jimmy Fitzpatrick. Beside them, a dog, identified as "old Dan" is sitting and looking towards the group. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "I will send you some snaps of the wedding if they come out O.K."
History
Arthur Lobley immigrated to Canada in 1892. He married Dora Cooke (identified as Mrs. A. Lobley in photograph), likely in England. Arthur worked for the CPR and the couple lived at 2619 Marlborough Avenue in Burnaby. Along with his brother, Charles, Arthur was an early resident of the Central Park neighbourhood of Burnaby. According to George Green's book, "History of Burnaby," pg. 134, the Lobleys were an early pioneer family in Burnaby. Arthur Lobley is credited for opening the Royal Oak Road to the tram station at Royal Oak in 1897.
Dora's aunt, Emma Sully and her husband John Sully were lodgers at the Lobley house on Marlborough Street. Dora's cousin, Winnifred Davis Patterson was also a lodger until her marriage to Carl Anderson in 1940.
Illustration on a postcard of the Caravan Motor Court, 3605 Kingsway (later renumbered 4875 Kingsway). The description printed on the back of the postcard reads: "Cable Address: Motel-Vancouver, Canada / The Utmost in Comfort / Tiled bathrooms. Twin beds. Electric kitchenettes. Closed garages. Rad…
Illustration on a postcard of the Caravan Motor Court, 3605 Kingsway (later renumbered 4875 Kingsway). The description printed on the back of the postcard reads: "Cable Address: Motel-Vancouver, Canada / The Utmost in Comfort / Tiled bathrooms. Twin beds. Electric kitchenettes. Closed garages. Radiant heat. Maid service. Laundrette. / Telephone: DEexter 1138." Written on the back of the postcard is: "Dear Jessie - Arrived here about four this afternoon and so far like what we have seen. Had a delicious fillet dinner at a fine restaurant and tomorrow are going to some of the beautiful places around Vancouver. Expect to go to Victoria Wednesday and stay at least a week - maybe two - depends on how we like it. How are your children? Are they home? Remember us to them. Love, Edith." The postcard is dated "7-24-49," postmarked Vancouver, July 26, 5 PM, 1949, and mailed with three one cent stamps to Mrs. Arthur Klein in Los Angeles, California.
Photograph shows Alice Clarissa (Clissie) Buxton at age 18, holding a tennis racket. Clissie was the daughter of George Searby Buxton and Mary Isabel (nee Nattriss). The photograph was likely taken at the Buxton family home in Burnaby.
Photograph shows Alice Clarissa (Clissie) Buxton at age 18, holding a tennis racket. Clissie was the daughter of George Searby Buxton and Mary Isabel (nee Nattriss). The photograph was likely taken at the Buxton family home in Burnaby.
Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 14. The film opens in with the Digney family in their yard and garden and Grandma Swan's funeral (Royal Oak Cemetery). The remainder of the footage provides views of the gardens surrounding the Oak Theatre and includes footage of a wedding,…
Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 14. The film opens in with the Digney family in their yard and garden and Grandma Swan's funeral (Royal Oak Cemetery). The remainder of the footage provides views of the gardens surrounding the Oak Theatre and includes footage of a wedding, family pets at play, men and women playing badminton, views of both the interior and exterior of the Oak Theatre including female ushers. The film then moves on to a War Bond Drive and parade along Kingsway followed by more views of the Oak Theatre gardens.
Photograph of husband and wife, Bill and Edna Maggs, beside the Burnaby Shoe Hospital and Mr. Shewbrook's insurance office shortly after their wedding.
Photograph of husband and wife, Bill and Edna Maggs, beside the Burnaby Shoe Hospital and Mr. Shewbrook's insurance office shortly after their wedding.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 4.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of employees in front of Matheson & Sons Market at 3576 Kingsway and Nelson Avenue (later renumbered 4920 Kingsway). Left to right: Barry Burns, Angus Matheson, Dan Matheson, Ed Matheson, Lex Henderson, John Matheson, and Gil Summers (kneeling). There are Coca Cola and Roses…
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 4.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-244
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of employees in front of Matheson & Sons Market at 3576 Kingsway and Nelson Avenue (later renumbered 4920 Kingsway). Left to right: Barry Burns, Angus Matheson, Dan Matheson, Ed Matheson, Lex Henderson, John Matheson, and Gil Summers (kneeling). There are Coca Cola and Roses Flour signs over the door. This store was previously owned and operated by Alexander MacKenzie.
Photograph of Fern Brown (nee Ablitt) sitting on the grass of her parent's property at the northeast corner of Kingsway and Nelson Avenue. She has a doll in a baby carriage with her and ribbons in her hair.
The Hutton grocery store can be seen in the distance.
Photograph of Fern Brown (nee Ablitt) sitting on the grass of her parent's property at the northeast corner of Kingsway and Nelson Avenue. She has a doll in a baby carriage with her and ribbons in her hair.
The Hutton grocery store can be seen in the distance.
Photograph of father and son, Frank and William "Bill" Price, eating raspberries while picking them at their family property on Royal Oak Avenue at Oakland Street, in the area north of Kingsway.
Photograph of father and son, Frank and William "Bill" Price, eating raspberries while picking them at their family property on Royal Oak Avenue at Oakland Street, in the area north of Kingsway.