Photograph of Charles Street where a man is using machine to dig a ditch; the side of the truck reads, "Alfred Horie Construction Co. Ltd." Houses under construction can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Charles Street where a man is using machine to dig a ditch; the side of the truck reads, "Alfred Horie Construction Co. Ltd." Houses under construction can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road with a car parked at the side of the road and two men with surveying equipment. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road with a car parked at the side of the road and two men with surveying equipment. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road including a London mixer and contractors invovled in house construction. The man standing in the center has been identified as Mr. Marcowitz. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road including a London mixer and contractors invovled in house construction. The man standing in the center has been identified as Mr. Marcowitz. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Napier Street and Willingdon Avenue with lumber scattered on a cleared area and houses in the background. There are vehicles on the road, including a truck whose side reads "Mother Hubbard Bread" and machinery reading "G.W. Ledingham, Contractors." This is part of the Willingdon Hei…
Photograph of Napier Street and Willingdon Avenue with lumber scattered on a cleared area and houses in the background. There are vehicles on the road, including a truck whose side reads "Mother Hubbard Bread" and machinery reading "G.W. Ledingham, Contractors." This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Rosser Avenue and William Street with pipes being laid beside the road. Cleared land, houses and house construction are visible in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Rosser Avenue and William Street with pipes being laid beside the road. Cleared land, houses and house construction are visible in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of two bulldozers, belonging to "Holmes & Wilson Trucking", clearing a lot beside a row of houses. Building materials (bricks and lumber) are piled nearby. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamp on back of photograph reads: "342x."
Photograph of two bulldozers, belonging to "Holmes & Wilson Trucking", clearing a lot beside a row of houses. Building materials (bricks and lumber) are piled nearby. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamp on back of photograph reads: "342x."
Photograph of an unidentified man standing beside a small John Deere bulldozer described as the "supply machine" at the Willingdon Heights subdivision site. Piles of lumber can be seen in the background.
Photograph of an unidentified man standing beside a small John Deere bulldozer described as the "supply machine" at the Willingdon Heights subdivision site. Piles of lumber can be seen in the background.
Photograph of a man operating a bulldozer clearing a forested hill. There appears to be a backhoe on the other side of the hill of fallen and upturned trees. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "342X."
Photograph of a man operating a bulldozer clearing a forested hill. There appears to be a backhoe on the other side of the hill of fallen and upturned trees. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "342X."
Photograph of an unidentified man operating a bulldozer and clearing the lot. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "345L."
Photograph of an unidentified man operating a bulldozer and clearing the lot. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "345L."
Photograph of the construction of the Westminster Rollerway at 660 Edmonds Street (renumbered 7850 Edmonds Street). A "Commercial Truck Co. Ltd." construction crane is in the foreground.
Photograph of the construction of the Westminster Rollerway at 660 Edmonds Street (renumbered 7850 Edmonds Street). A "Commercial Truck Co. Ltd." construction crane is in the foreground.
Photograph of the construction of electric power transmission towers. There are two trucks and a few unidentified men working on the construction, and a tent is put up in front of trees to the right side of the photograph. Also to the right is a BC Electric Railyway company car, with a sign above t…
Photograph of the construction of electric power transmission towers. There are two trucks and a few unidentified men working on the construction, and a tent is put up in front of trees to the right side of the photograph. Also to the right is a BC Electric Railyway company car, with a sign above the rear window that reads, "B.C. Electric Ry.Co." and "1252" on the door. A man in a suit is standing by driver's door. The people and location are unidentified.
This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of his early years in construction. Ron discusses what it was like to be in construction during the postwar era. He also discusses his father's work as a carpenter and the changes that occurred with the introduction of electric car…
This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of his early years in construction. Ron discusses what it was like to be in construction during the postwar era. He also discusses his father's work as a carpenter and the changes that occurred with the introduction of electric carpentry tools.
Recording is an interview with Ron Smitherman conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, November 15, 2012. Major theme discussed: building construction and development in Burnaby.
Biographical Notes
Born in 1933 and raised in Vancouver, Ron Smitherman learned the construction trade from his father, upgrading his knowledge and skills as techniques and materials changed and improved. Ron built houses and commercial buildings in Burnaby and elsewhere during the nineteen-forties, fifties and sixties.
In 1969 Ron and his family settled in Burnaby where he shifted his business to real estate.
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Photograph of the 4200 blocks of Kitchener Street and Charles Street with a bulldozer on cleared land. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of the 4200 blocks of Kitchener Street and Charles Street with a bulldozer on cleared land. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of land clearing machines at 4124 Napier Street. Partially constructed houses and lumber are visible, and a sign on the side of a bulldozer reads "Holmes and Wilson Trucking." This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of land clearing machines at 4124 Napier Street. Partially constructed houses and lumber are visible, and a sign on the side of a bulldozer reads "Holmes and Wilson Trucking." This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of the 4200 block of Kitchener Street at Madison Avenue with cleared land and brush in foreground, and a bulldozer, lumber and houses under construction in background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of the 4200 block of Kitchener Street at Madison Avenue with cleared land and brush in foreground, and a bulldozer, lumber and houses under construction in background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of an unidentified man, possibly the operator, is standing on a bulldozer belonging to "Holmes & Wilson Trucking". Lumber stacks are nearby, and the bulldozer is on a clearing for a house lot. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on bac…
Photograph of an unidentified man, possibly the operator, is standing on a bulldozer belonging to "Holmes & Wilson Trucking". Lumber stacks are nearby, and the bulldozer is on a clearing for a house lot. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photo: "342X."
Photograph of an unidentified man standing on a bulldozer belonging to "Wm. Edstrom" as written on the machine. The bulldozer is on a clearing nearby houses. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of the photograph: "342X."
Photograph of an unidentified man standing on a bulldozer belonging to "Wm. Edstrom" as written on the machine. The bulldozer is on a clearing nearby houses. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of the photograph: "342X."