Photograph of Mrs. Forster and likely her two oldest children, Vera and Mary, sitting on the running board of a car which looks to be a Hudson Phantom. They are in front of the Wilson Forster plumbing and electrical business and Forster family home at 2849 McKay Avenue (later renumbered 6038 McKay …
Photograph of Mrs. Forster and likely her two oldest children, Vera and Mary, sitting on the running board of a car which looks to be a Hudson Phantom. They are in front of the Wilson Forster plumbing and electrical business and Forster family home at 2849 McKay Avenue (later renumbered 6038 McKay Avenue). A sign on the building reads, "Wilson-Forster / Plumber & Electrician."
This portion of the interview is about Don Brown identifying old businesses and stores on Kingsway, and talking about the operation of the interurban, the lack of cars after the war, and the two vehicles used by the Burnaby police in 1948. He talks about the expansion of Burnaby in the 1950‘s and t…
This portion of the interview is about Don Brown identifying old businesses and stores on Kingsway, and talking about the operation of the interurban, the lack of cars after the war, and the two vehicles used by the Burnaby police in 1948. He talks about the expansion of Burnaby in the 1950‘s and the attempts to preserve heritage buildings and trees, historic records, and green space
Date Range
1947-1990
Photo Info
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Don Brown, November 2, 1997. Item no. 535-0979
Recording is of an interview with Don Brown, conducted by Rod Fowler. Don Brown 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 Don Brown’s description of the changes in Burnaby’s built and natural landscapes and socioeconomic conditions, especially between 1947 and 1975, the strong impression made on him by those changes evident in the interview. He talks about his work and career as a police officer with the Burnaby Provincial Police and RCMP. The interview also details his involvement in Burnaby politics and volunteer community groups. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Donald Neil “Don” Brown was born in Birmingham, England May 4, 1919, and immigrated with his parents and siblings to Winnipeg in 1922. At the outbreak of WWII Don Brown left high school and enlisted in the 12th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, serving six years in the army. Before going overseas he married Helen Birch in 1939. In 1947 Don Brown joined the B.C. Provincial Police which was absorbed by the RCMP in 1950. He worked as a police officer in Burnaby from 1947 to 1954, and then was transferred to Ottawa (with a stop in Regina) for nine and a half years where he attended Carleton University to study forensics. In 1963 Don Brown was transferred back to Vancouver and bought and moved into a house on Watling Street in Burnaby where he still lived in 1990. Another transfer took him to Edmonton for five years, returning to Burnaby in 1975. Following retirement in 1980 with the rank of Supervisor and after 22 years in forensic laboratories, Don Brown started his own business as a private document examiner. Don Brown was active in Burnaby politics, serving as Alderman from 1979-1985. He was also involved in many community groups including the South Burnaby Men’s Club, which he helped found in 1952, as well as active in the Burnaby Historical Society, and served on the Burnaby School Board, Burnaby Centennial Committee, and the Community College for the Retired. Don and Helen Brown had six children: Donna, Don, Gina, Patricia, Christopher and Susan. Don Brown died May 16, 2009.
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.
Photograph depicts an exterior view of Libonati's Gun Shop and Sporting Goods at 4261 Kingsway, along with other businesses on that block. Businesses left to right: Quality Auto Electric, Libonati's Gun Shop and Sporting Goods and Inter City Bowl bowling alley. Not shown in the picture were two o…
Photograph depicts an exterior view of Libonati's Gun Shop and Sporting Goods at 4261 Kingsway, along with other businesses on that block. Businesses left to right: Quality Auto Electric, Libonati's Gun Shop and Sporting Goods and Inter City Bowl bowling alley. Not shown in the picture were two other business east of the bowling alley; namely, Low Cost Transmission and Kilpatrick Nursing Home which was at the corner of Chaffey before Chaffey was realigned. Libonati's Gun Shop was owned and operated by Denzil (Dan) Libonati, a long-time Burnaby businessman. Cars in the picture are a 1959 Willy's Jeep (Denzil's) and 1958 Chevrolet (unknown owner).
Photograph of houses along Dominion Street, looking east with a tall hemlock, fir, and oak tree in the background. These houses were built after the Roberts' house was moved from 5538 Dominion Street to 5496 Dominion Street in 1982. The trees are the only three remaining from the original landsca…
Photograph of houses along Dominion Street, looking east with a tall hemlock, fir, and oak tree in the background. These houses were built after the Roberts' house was moved from 5538 Dominion Street to 5496 Dominion Street in 1982. The trees are the only three remaining from the original landscaping of the Roberts' property in the late 1920s. The photograph was taken from the north side of the street, opposite 5496 Dominion Street.
Photograph of the McLeans' house at 5493 Dominion Street with a Volkswagon Beetle parked on the street in front. The Brocklebanks's backyard at 3071 Douglas Road is visible on the right. The photograph was taken from 5486 Dominion Street, looking north.
Photograph of the McLeans' house at 5493 Dominion Street with a Volkswagon Beetle parked on the street in front. The Brocklebanks's backyard at 3071 Douglas Road is visible on the right. The photograph was taken from 5486 Dominion Street, looking north.
Photograph of the houses along the south side of Dominion Street with cars parked along the curb. In 2009 sidewalks were installed and the street was repaved under a neighbourhood local improvement request to the City. The photograph was taken from the north side of the street, opposite 5496 Dom…
Photograph of the houses along the south side of Dominion Street with cars parked along the curb. In 2009 sidewalks were installed and the street was repaved under a neighbourhood local improvement request to the City. The photograph was taken from the north side of the street, opposite 5496 Dominion Street, looking west.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.9 x 3.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mike Loynes and his future wife, Linda, standing beside a car in the driveway of 1855 18th Avenue (old numbering) before attending a wedding.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.9 x 3.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-261
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mike Loynes and his future wife, Linda, standing beside a car in the driveway of 1855 18th Avenue (old numbering) before attending a wedding.
Photograph of The Oasis gas station, leased by the Raymer family for the first 5 years, then taken over by the Raymers. Roy Raymer is shown pumping gas. The Oasis was located at 2675 Kingsway (Pacific Highway). It was later renumbered 6105 Kingsway.
Photograph of The Oasis gas station, leased by the Raymer family for the first 5 years, then taken over by the Raymers. Roy Raymer is shown pumping gas. The Oasis was located at 2675 Kingsway (Pacific Highway). It was later renumbered 6105 Kingsway.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.8 x 3.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a parade on the 4600 block of Kingsway. The photograph was taken looking south, and the Ford Motor Co. plant can be seen in the background.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.8 x 3.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-756
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of a parade on the 4600 block of Kingsway. The photograph was taken looking south, and the Ford Motor Co. plant can be seen in the background.
Photograph of Crichton Hawkshaw (right) standing together with a woman named Ruby outside store fronts on a street in Chilliwack. There is an automobile parked on the street behind the couple.
Photograph of Crichton Hawkshaw (right) standing together with a woman named Ruby outside store fronts on a street in Chilliwack. There is an automobile parked on the street behind the couple.
Photograph of the Simpsons-Sears parking lot with cars and a fenced in display of outdoor garden and farm implements outside the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby.
Photograph of the Simpsons-Sears parking lot with cars and a fenced in display of outdoor garden and farm implements outside the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby.