The Arrow Neon Sign was built in 1961 by the Neonette Sign Company of New Westminster when this property was opened as the Tomahawk Drive-in Restaurant. The restaurant was later known as Lindy's Burger and in 1990, the business was renamed Lost in the 50's Drive-in. It stands 20-foot tall and is composed of a large double-sided hollow steel panel serpentine arrow mounted on a pole supporting a lexan sign panel measuring approximately 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall. The sign was designed with three illuminated features: a round lamp at the top of the pole, a double-sided rectangular fluorescent sign panel box, and two double-sided rows of orange neon arrows that follow the large serpentine arrow.
The Arrow Neon Sign remains as a rare surviving example of neon sign art in the city and is the only historic neon sign in South Burnaby. The sign has gained prominence over the years as it has been associated with this small iconic drive-in which has also been utilized as a set for film production. Additionally, the drive-in has played a prominent role in the Edmonds community as a popular setting for recent "Show and Shine" participants to park their classic cars.
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
Date Range
1950-1990
Photo Info
Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "SHOT BY / Larry Supové"
According to an advertisement dated June 14, 1957 for Paneloc Manufacturing in the Vancouver Province newspaper, a paneloc display model was available for viewing at 6635 East Hastings Street in Burnaby. The model in this photograph may be at this location.
According to an advertisement dated June 14, 1957 for Paneloc Manufacturing in the Vancouver Province newspaper, a paneloc display model was available for viewing at 6635 East Hastings Street in Burnaby. The model in this photograph may be at this location.
Photograph of four men standing inside of a paneloc building. Elmer Wilson Martin is identified standing on the far right. One of the men is standing on a riser and another is holding a level. The men appear to be inspecting the seams between the paneloc panels.
Photograph of four men standing inside of a paneloc building. Elmer Wilson Martin is identified standing on the far right. One of the men is standing on a riser and another is holding a level. The men appear to be inspecting the seams between the paneloc panels.
Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "SHOT BY / Larry Supové"
According to an advertisement dated June 14, 1957 for Paneloc Manufacturing in the Vancouver Province newspaper, a paneloc display model was available for viewing at 6635 East Hastings Street in Burnaby. The model in this photograph may be at this location.
Photograph of Elmer Wilson Martin (far left), Reta Martin and an unidentified woman standing on a construction site whereby a paneloc building is being built. The partially finished paneloc building is behind them. Three unidentified men are visible standing on the roof of the garage situated under…
Photograph of Elmer Wilson Martin (far left), Reta Martin and an unidentified woman standing on a construction site whereby a paneloc building is being built. The partially finished paneloc building is behind them. Three unidentified men are visible standing on the roof of the garage situated under the paneloc building.
Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "SHOT BY / Larry Supové"
According to an advertisement dated June 14, 1957 for Paneloc Manufacturing in the Vancouver Province newspaper, a paneloc display model was available for viewing at 6635 East Hastings Street in Burnaby. The model in this photograph may be at this location.
1 report : 5 photographs + 6 architectural drawings : blueline prints ; 55 x 85 cm + 1 architectural drawing : blueline print ; 46 x 55 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a report created by Paneloc Marketing Ltd. 4217 Hastings Street Burnaby B.C. Architectural drawings within the report are drawn by Jack Pearl and designed by Elmer W. Martin, P. Engineer. Architectural drawings included in the report are titled; Paneloc Homes - All Models (2 drawin…
1 report : 5 photographs + 6 architectural drawings : blueline prints ; 55 x 85 cm + 1 architectural drawing : blueline print ; 46 x 55 cm
Material Details
Scales differ between 1"=60" and 3/4"=1'-0"
Scope and Content
Item consists of a report created by Paneloc Marketing Ltd. 4217 Hastings Street Burnaby B.C. Architectural drawings within the report are drawn by Jack Pearl and designed by Elmer W. Martin, P. Engineer. Architectural drawings included in the report are titled; Paneloc Homes - All Models (2 drawings); Paneloc Homes - Model 6 - 28 Panel (3 drawings) ; Paneloc Homes - Model 6-24 Panel (1 drawing) ; Paneloc Homes - Model 4 -20 Panel (1 drawing). The report includes five photographs of paneloc homes including two of completed homes and three of a paneloc building in various stages of assembly.
Architectural drawings were unfolded and removed from duotang binding
According to an advertisement dated June 14, 1957 for Paneloc Manufacturing in the Vancouver Province newspaper, a paneloc display model was available for viewing at 6635 East Hastings Street in Burnaby. Some of the photographs within this report may have been at this location.
Architectural drawings have reproduction and access restrictions. Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.3 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the construction of the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Academic Quadrangle building, phase two. Information at lower right corner of photograph reads, "Academic Quadrangle Building / Phase Two / Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC / Z.S. Kiss - Architect / Laing Construction & Equipme…
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.3 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-802
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the construction of the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Academic Quadrangle building, phase two. Information at lower right corner of photograph reads, "Academic Quadrangle Building / Phase Two / Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC / Z.S. Kiss - Architect / Laing Construction & Equipment Ltd, General Contractors / No14 Date Aug 5, 1966, Facing E."
Photograph of kindergartners finger panting in a classroom at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten. One child is climbing on a chair to reach a high cupboard and others are busy working on their finger paintings.
Photograph of kindergartners finger panting in a classroom at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten. One child is climbing on a chair to reach a high cupboard and others are busy working on their finger paintings.
Photograph of three children from the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten playing in a music classroom. One boy is climbing into a play chest on wheels while the other two boys hold it steady for him. Chairs are stacked up against the walls and there is a piano in the room.
Photograph of three children from the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten playing in a music classroom. One boy is climbing into a play chest on wheels while the other two boys hold it steady for him. Chairs are stacked up against the walls and there is a piano in the room.
Photograph of a small crowd of children and adults milling around tables set up outside Holy Cross School. A banner on the side of the building reads: "Welcome to Holy Cross Gala Carnival, Sat. June 8th, 2pm-10pm."
Photograph of a small crowd of children and adults milling around tables set up outside Holy Cross School. A banner on the side of the building reads: "Welcome to Holy Cross Gala Carnival, Sat. June 8th, 2pm-10pm."
Photograph of Fred Pratt, a teacher organized and operated Night School (now Adult and Continuing Education) in Burnaby as early as 1947, standing in front of Royal Oak Junior Secondary School.
Photograph of Fred Pratt, a teacher organized and operated Night School (now Adult and Continuing Education) in Burnaby as early as 1947, standing in front of Royal Oak Junior Secondary School.
Photograph of a group of girls leaving Holy Cross Primary School. Wendy Johnston is visible near the middle of the picture, running towards the camera with her school bag. The remainder of the people are unidentified.
Photograph of a group of girls leaving Holy Cross Primary School. Wendy Johnston is visible near the middle of the picture, running towards the camera with her school bag. The remainder of the people are unidentified.
Photograph of nineteen students inside their grade 5 classroom at Holy Cross Primary school, and their teacher, in a habit. The students are each seated at their desks with the girls on one side of the room and the boys on the other.
Photograph of nineteen students inside their grade 5 classroom at Holy Cross Primary school, and their teacher, in a habit. The students are each seated at their desks with the girls on one side of the room and the boys on the other.
Photograph of nineteen students inside their grade 5 classroom at Holy Cross Primary school, and their teacher, in a habit. The girls are seated at their desks on one side of the room and the boys are standing at the back of the class.
Photograph of nineteen students inside their grade 5 classroom at Holy Cross Primary school, and their teacher, in a habit. The girls are seated at their desks on one side of the room and the boys are standing at the back of the class.