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.
While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.
Photograph of a pillar topped by a circle with what appears to be a neon sign tubing writing out "1936". There is an insignia with two men on top of the circle [perhaps the Vancouver coat-of-arms]. As well, a Red Ensign and a Union Jack each hang from the pillar. Two streetcars and an apartment bui…
Decorative border printed around the photograph on recto
Faint circular stamp mark of "Vancouver Drug Co." on verso, and gummed paper on each corner
Stamp reads, "Come to Vancouver's Golden Jubilee 1936/ 50 Years of Progress" outside its circular seal for "Vancouver Drug/ Co. Ltd./ Nu-Gloss/ PHOTO FINISH"
Scope and Content
Photograph of a pillar topped by a circle with what appears to be a neon sign tubing writing out "1936". There is an insignia with two men on top of the circle [perhaps the Vancouver coat-of-arms]. As well, a Red Ensign and a Union Jack each hang from the pillar. Two streetcars and an apartment building are all visible in the background. The pillar is believed to be a commemorative pillar marking Vancouver's Golden Jubilee in 1936.
Robertson's Chocolates - Advertising Card. Advertising card for Robertson's Chocolates. Black and white photograph of two children at a small table sampling chocolates. There is a small dog standing on the table. There is a caption at the bottom of the photograph "Where Do I Come In?". The clothing of the children has been colour tinted with a light blue. On the back of the card is "Rotary Photo. England" and pencilled in is "$3.00 FC Mar 7391". The card measures 8.5cm x 13.5cm.
Object History
Donor purchased objects from various collectors and antique retailers between 1993 and 1997.
advertisement card; cardboard countertop advertisement card for "WAMPOLE'S / EXTRACT OF COD LIVER". There is a cardboard easel stand on the back of the card for support.
Advertisement is printed in colour and features a large image of the product box, along with an illustration of a child being weighed by a pharmacist while her mother looks on. The child is holding a carton of Wampole's.
1 photograph : b&w ; 10.8 x 16.7 cm mounted on cardboard 17.6 x 22.7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the storefront of the BC Auto Company on Granville Street, Vancouver. Seen displayed in the window are cans of various fluids. Lettered on the window is, "Automobiles. / 924", above which is a sign that reads, "Automobile Supplies." A man in overalls and a hat is standing by the st…
1 photograph : b&w ; 10.8 x 16.7 cm mounted on cardboard 17.6 x 22.7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the storefront of the BC Auto Company on Granville Street, Vancouver. Seen displayed in the window are cans of various fluids. Lettered on the window is, "Automobiles. / 924", above which is a sign that reads, "Automobile Supplies." A man in overalls and a hat is standing by the store window while three men dressed in suits with ties are standing in front of the garage. By their side is a sign that reads, "Automobiles / Touring Cars / Runabouts / Delivery Cars / Trucks / Heavy and Light / Sole Agents for Buick and Russel Cars./ Autos. For Sale or Hire."
Photograph of a Burnaby Garage tow truck parked in front of a fence with a Shell Gasoline logo attached to it and a billboard advertising Old Orchard in the background.
Photograph of a Burnaby Garage tow truck parked in front of a fence with a Shell Gasoline logo attached to it and a billboard advertising Old Orchard in the background.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts and wayfinding signs are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts and wayfinding signs are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs, white tents and white buildings converted from shipping containers are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs, white tents and white buildings converted from shipping containers are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Photograph of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. White shipping container buildings have been set up in the parking lot.
Film clip (no sound) of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot and staff are wearing protective face masks.
Film clip (no sound) of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot and staff are wearing protective face masks.