Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 12771
- Enactment Date
- 19/04/2010
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Heritage Value
- 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.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Community
- Burnaby
- Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial - Stores
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Street Address
- 4142 Hastings Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Less detail
1923 Ford Touring Car
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1923 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (left to right) Bill Anthony and Jim Warren, with a 1923 Ford touring car, Jim's first car. They became brothers-in-law when Bill married Mary Warren. The pair are about to leave on motor tour of Oregon.
Alfred Hickman
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-] (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two men standing outside Hickman's Grocery on Patterson Avenue near the railroad tracks. One of the men is Alfred Hickman, the store's owner. Signs on the store read, "Hickmans / Groceries / Produce" and "Groceries / Hickmans / Meats." Signs in the window advertise wieners and "Mea…
Allen Sharpe's First Store on Kingsway
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [192-] (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 8.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of Allen Sharpe's first store on Kingsway (at Kathleen Avenue), a sign shop and store that also sold groceries and Mrs. Rose Sharpe's hand-made linens. The Sharpes bought the property in 1919.
Allen Sharpe's Gas Station on Kingsway
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [192-] (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.7 x 12.6 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Allen Sharpe's gas station on Kingsway (at Kathleen Avenue) with a group of men standing in front. Mr. Sharpe is on the right wearing a cap and tie. Signs on the building read, "Sharpe Service Garage / Shell Gasoline / Motor Oil / Tires."
A. Matheson and Sons Market
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1957
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 9.0 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the A. Matheson & Sons store building located at 3576 Kingsway (later renumbered 4920 Kingsway) and Nelson Avenue. Signs on the store read, "A. Matheson & Sons Market / Fresh Meats - Groceries / Quality and Service / Dexter 1372, 1373 / Free Delivery." Additional signs and billboard…
Astor Hotel
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Astor Hotel at 4561 Kingsway and McKay Avenue. A hotel sign reads, "Welcome HRH Princess Margaret to Burnaby." The Astor Coffee Shop is to the right of the hotel.
Burnaby Chamber of Commerce
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1959]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.1 x 21.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the "Yesterday and Today" display, Burnaby Chamber of Commerce. Signs on either side of the display read, "Burnaby has ten miles of Fraser River frontage" and "Burnaby has ten miles of deepsea frontage." In the centre is a display of photographs. Signs on both sides of the display …
Central Park
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1920 (date of original), photographed 1985
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 11.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Central Park entrance arch with the "Central Park" electric sign. An Interurban tram can be seen on the right. This photograph used to be hung at the Central Park branch of the Burnaby Public Library.
Cornerstone for New Municipal Hall
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Charles MacSorley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the commemorative cornerstone laid for the new Municipal Hall building. The stone reads: "This stone was laid by His Worship Reeve Charles W. MacSorley / September 23rd 1955."
Denby Brothers Shoe Company trucks
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1921]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two Johnston Storage Company trucks loaded with rolls and stacks of leather for Denby Brothers shoe company. Banner signs that read "for DENBY BROS & Co. Vancouver BC" hang on the sides of the trucks that are parked just outside of the Denby Brothers store. Beside the store is another…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two Johnston Storage Company trucks loaded with rolls and stacks of leather for Denby Brothers shoe company. Banner signs that read "for DENBY BROS & Co. Vancouver BC" hang on the sides of the trucks that are parked just outside of the Denby Brothers store. Beside the store is another business with a sign that reads "A. Ramsay & Son Company." The street is brick laid, and to the right can be seen a large sign for The Vancouver Sun, advertised as publisher, printer, and bookbinder. Inscribed in the negative and printed on photograph, front lower right: "8160." An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "circa 1921." Stamped on the back of the photo is: "Leonard Frank / Photographic Artist / 553 Granville St. / Bay. 1029 Vancouver, B.C./ In re-ordering prints mention no. 8160."
- Subjects
- Transportation - Trucks
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Names
- Denby Brothers and Company
- Johnston Storage Company Limited
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Accession Code
- HV977.84.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1921]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-07-11
- Photographer
- Frank, Leonard
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Less detail
Entrance to Oasis Tourist Camp
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [192-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Roy Bernard Raymer fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.6 x 15.1 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the entrance to Oasis Tourist Camp, which is marked by a large sign put up with two posts on either side of the sign . It reads, "Tea Gardens / The Oasis / 'Rest and Refresh' / Free Tourist Camp." Further along the driveway is a smaller sign that reads: "'Welcome.' Drive In." To the…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Roy Bernard Raymer fonds
- Series
- Ray Raymer photograph collection series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.6 x 15.1 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the entrance to Oasis Tourist Camp, which is marked by a large sign put up with two posts on either side of the sign . It reads, "Tea Gardens / The Oasis / 'Rest and Refresh' / Free Tourist Camp." Further along the driveway is a smaller sign that reads: "'Welcome.' Drive In." To the left of the entrance is a modified house building with a sign advertising for Fraser Valley ice cream placed outside the extended patio. The Oasis Tourist Camp was located at 2675 Kingsway (after 1959 address became 6105 Kingsway) in Burnaby and was owned and operated by the Raymer family.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Names
- Oasis
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 6105 Kingsway
- Accession Code
- HV977.121.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [192-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Planning Study Area
- Windsor Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 23-Aug-06
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Less detail
Exhibition Park
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Harold H. Johnston fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a crowd of people gathered near the entrance to the exhibition park at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver, BC. A banner at the top of the entrance reads "B.C. Centennial Year 1858-1958" and the marquis below the "Exhibition Park" sign reads "Water Follies of 58 / Shri…
Grant family home
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.7 x 12.7 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the playroom of the Grant family home at 2772 Sussex Avenue (old street numbering). In the room is a sign for the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.) with which Mrs. Grant was involved. Alice and George A. Grant moved here with their family in 1925.
The Hot Dog Inn and proprietors
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1924
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 12.9 cm on page 17.5 x 24.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the hot dog stand built at Deer Lake for ice skaters. Standing in front of it are the "proprietors" A. D. Bowker and Abe Rowe. The sign affixed to the stand reads: "This Is The Hot Dog Inn And It's Cold Outside / Come Right In / Coffee 5 cents / Hot Dogs 10 cents".
Hotel Burnaby
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1958]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (later renumbered 7610 Kingsway). An electric "Hotel Burnaby / Vacancy / Parking" sign can be seen on the right. A diner can be seen on the left side of the building with signs reading, "Dining Room," "Diner," "Soda Fountain," "Breakfasts, Lunches, Din…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1958]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Series
- Community Archives Collection series
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 105-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (later renumbered 7610 Kingsway). An electric "Hotel Burnaby / Vacancy / Parking" sign can be seen on the right. A diner can be seen on the left side of the building with signs reading, "Dining Room," "Diner," "Soda Fountain," "Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners," "Coffee Bar," and "Licensed Premises." Coca-Cola advertisements are also visible. There are entrances to the building with signs above them readings, "Lobby," "Men," and "Ladies and Escorts."
- Subjects
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Names
- Hotel Burnaby Limited
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Croton Studio Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Croton Studio / New Westminster BC"
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 7610 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Edmonds Area
Less detail
Hotel Burnaby
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1953]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.7 x 13.1 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard advertising the Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (old street numbering). A caption on the reverse of the postcard reads: Hotel Burnaby / :Located between new Simpsons-Sears and new Woodwards shopping centres / You will remember Hotel Burnaby for the REST of your life."
Hotel Burnaby Ltd.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of Burnaby Hotel located at 1385 Kingsway (old street numbering system). Printed at the bottom of the postcard is the following: Hotel Burnaby Ltd. / 1385 Kingsway at 14th Avenue / Burnaby 3, New Westminster, B.C., Telephone LA 1-8891. On the reverse is written: "Hotel Burna…
Jubilee Avenue
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [192-] (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.4 x 7.1 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of stores on Jubilee Avenue looking north from Imperial Street (later the location of Bonsor Park, 6550 Bonsor Avenue). Signs visible read; "Jubilee Drug Store," "Drugs," "Jubilee [Mercantile?] Co. / Groceries," "Nabob Tea," and "[Carvers or Corvers]." An accompanying description in the…
Kingsway
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1920
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 12.6 x 17.7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Kingsway looking east at Boundary Road. A sign on the right reads, "Burnaby / Vehicles must slow down at all schools and intersections marked thus: X." A sign on a building at the left reads, "Arctic Ice Cream." Central Park is on the right.