The Lochdale Community Hall is a one-storey wood-frame building located on Sperling Avenue, near its intersection with Hastings Street, in the centre of the Lochdale district in North Burnaby. Built in stages, its current configuration has an L-shaped plan, with three different roof structures.
The Lochdale Community Hall is a one-storey wood-frame building located on Sperling Avenue, near its intersection with Hastings Street, in the centre of the Lochdale district in North Burnaby. Built in stages, its current configuration has an L-shaped plan, with three different roof structures.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Lochdale Community Hall is as Burnaby’s last remaining early community hall building. It was constructed with volunteer labour and donated materials in 1925 through the efforts of the Lochdale Social Club. The Hall is a valuable reminder of the way in which early communities banded together for mutual support at a time when transportation was more difficult and local communities were more isolated than today.
This residents’ association has used this building to support the community through public political meetings, theatre, dinners and dances, creating strong community ties in North Burnaby. The Hall was also used briefly for the services of St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican parish until their church was completed in 1929, demonstrating a spirit of community cooperation at a time when local institutions were being established in the area.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Lochdale Community Hall include its:
- central location in the Lochdale community
- modest vernacular architecture and massing
- stepped-pitch gable roof of the main hall
- shallow-pitched gable roof of the entrance porch
- Craftsman style eave brackets
- central front entry
- interior features such as the main open hall with an elevated stage
Photograph of the front exterior of Lochdale Community Hall, located near Sperling and Hastings Street and built in 1925. Cars are parked in front of and beside the hall. The photograph is taken from across the street, facing east.
Photograph of the front exterior of Lochdale Community Hall, located near Sperling and Hastings Street and built in 1925. Cars are parked in front of and beside the hall. The photograph is taken from across the street, facing east.
Photograph of the interior of Lochdale Hall. Streamers are hanging from the ceiling and the walls, and numerous people are seated at three long tables. The occasion is unidentified.
Photograph of the interior of Lochdale Hall. Streamers are hanging from the ceiling and the walls, and numerous people are seated at three long tables. The occasion is unidentified.
This portion of the interview pertains to A.W. Dow's memories of the development of the Lochdale Community Hall as well as continuing descriptions of residents from the 1929 address listings. He also begins discussing script as payment.
This portion of the interview pertains to A.W. Dow's memories of the development of the Lochdale Community Hall as well as continuing descriptions of residents from the 1929 address listings. He also begins discussing script as payment.
Recording is of an interview with A.W. Dow by history student Larry R. Jensen, November 11, 1974. This interview was created to gain information for a History 432 paper entitled: "The Lochdale Community: A Study of Depression Times (1929-1939)." Major themes discussed are: the Lochdale Community and the Depression.
Biographical Notes
A.W. Dow went to boarding school in Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
A.W. Dow came to the Lochdale Community in 1928. He learnt of the Lochdale store being up for sale through his bride-to-be’s brother, bought it, and became the postmaster and Lochdale General Store owner from 1928 until 1937, renaming it Dow's General Store.
In 1937, he and his wife left the store at Hastings Street, bought property and built a combination house and store at 599 Sperling Avenue.
A.W. served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Rate Payers' Association. As well, he and his wife were charter members of the Lochdale Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF).
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.