Originally built as North Burnaby High School, this eight-room school became Rosser Avenue School in 1945. It has been altered with replacement windows, the application of stucco over the original siding and an addition, but has retained its historical form, including a hipped roof with half-timbered gables and a domed roof ventilator. The Rosser Elementary School was designed by the architectural firm of Bowman & Cullerne, who specialized in school design. The firm’s projects include Seaforth School (1922, now relocated to Burnaby Village Museum), Windsor Street School (1923), and Nelson Avenue School (1927).
In 1935 the announcement that the California-based Standard Oil Company was going to build a huge "million dollar" refinery in Burnaby was greeted with cheers by residents who were eager for employment and good news during the Great Depression. The refinery, named Stanovan (aka: Standard Oil - Vancouver) was officially opened in 1936 with the ability to produce 2000 barrels per day. During World War Two, the capacity of the refinery doubled to assist in the war effort. In 1976, the company's name was changed to Chevron Canada Limited.
This church was one of the first built in North Burnaby to serve the new community of Vancouver Heights. Designed by architect Frank Barrs and constructed by local builders, Arthur England and Mr. Scott, it reflected the English roots of the Anglican Church with its fine Arts and Crafts style. It was officially opened in an impressive ceremony by the Bishop of New Westminster and could accommodate 200 worshippers. It was named after Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. The adjoining parish hall was completed in 1920. The church building features a gabled roof, triangular eave brackets and a semi-octagonal apse. Stucco has been applied to the exterior, but it retains its original form, scale and massing. It now houses the Burnaby Pacific Grace Church. English-born Frank Barrs (1871-1963) arrived in Vancouver in 1907 and established an office for about one year before he began working for the Vancouver Exhibition Association. He briefly established a partnership (1912-1913) with Samuel Shewbrooks (1877-1957), and was active as an architect until about 1933.
This British Arts and Crafts residence was built for B.C. Coast Steamship Service seaman Terence William Bodkin (1876-1945) and his wife, Mary Margaret Bodkin (née Horie, 1882-1958), who had married in 1913. Mary, a violin teacher, was born in London and Terrance was from Ireland. The house has retained many of its original features such as its side gabled jerkin-headed roof, half timbering and triple assembly windows, with multi-paned upper sash.
Vancouver Heights remained an important residential and commercial centre in Burnaby throughout the 1925-1954 period. The area had its own Board of Trade and the North Burnaby Library was created to serve the residents. In 1949, the Hastings streetcars stopped running, but the area retained its reputation as one of the best shopping districts in the city.
On December 13, 1912, The British Columbian Weekly described the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood as follows: "The northern portion of the municipality in the vicinity of Boundary Road has during the past three years made tremendous strides towards settlement. At that time Mr. James Herd and Mr. Peters were the only residents of the district...Soon, however, the timber was removed, streets laid out and other conveniences such as water, light and transportation provided... The school population of the district has increased so rapidly that the school has been enlarged twice this year and is at the present time inadequate. About 200 children are attending now. There are three churches in the district and one mission...At present time there are two large blocks containing six stores..."
This church replaced the first Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church, which opened in 1911 and later became the Masonic Hall. This site was purchased in 1928, but the new church was not completed until 1930, due to the financial constraints of the Depression era. B.C. Lieutenant-Governor Bruce dedicated the church on Feb. 16, 1931. The building has retained its Classical Revival form and detailing, including its symmetrical design, columns flanking the recessed main entrance and arched windows with keystone detailing. The Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church was designed by Australian-born architect H.H. Simmonds (1883-1954). After serving in the First World War, Simmonds resumed his local practice, and even during the Depression, his output remained prolific. In the 1920s and 30s, Simmonds was commissioned by the City of Vancouver to replace several pavilions at the Pacific National Exhibition with a consistent grouping of Art Deco buildings including the surviving Livestock Building (1929), Women and Fine Arts Building (1931) and Forum (1933).
This building was originally built in 1926 as the Vancouver Heights United Church; a Sunday School was added in 1931, which conformed to the church building’s Romanesque influenced style. This unique Burnaby building has retained its remarkable three-storey tower with buttresses and stepped parapet. It now houses the New Apostolic Church.
One of the prominent buildings along Vancouver Height’s early commercial strip, this block has continuously served its original commercial/retail use, with apartments on the second floor. Alterations over the years have included a coat of stucco over the original lapped wooden siding, and the alteration of the roofline cornice. Notably, the building has retained its distinctive second storey bay windows and three ground floor commercial spaces with recessed entrances. It was financed and built by Arthur Wall, a director of Hill, Wall & Company Ltd. Real Estate, which was based in the Pacific Block in Vancouver.
This church was built to serve a 500-home subdivision known as Willingdon Heights–Canada’s largest single veteran’s housing project created by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and constructed by the Whitsell Construction Company in 1948. The church building was designed as a simplified Gothic Revival church with a tall front tower and Gothic pointed-arch stained glass window and entrance. This church was designed by Vancouver architects Twizell & Twizell. Both Robert Twizell (1875-1964) and younger brother George Twizell (1885-1957) articled at Newcastle, England’s Hicks & Charlewood before arriving in Vancouver in late 1907 or early 1908, with George working for Robert until they established a partnership a few years later. Their firm lasted for nearly half a century and was well known for its numerous church designs.
"100 Years of Gilmore School". Filmed by Yunuen Perez Vertti and made by the Heights Neighbourhood Association. The film includes interviews with former students and highlights their experiences through the Great Depression, the Second World War and the 1960s.
"100 Years of Gilmore School". Filmed by Yunuen Perez Vertti and made by the Heights Neighbourhood Association. The film includes interviews with former students and highlights their experiences through the Great Depression, the Second World War and the 1960s.
History
Yunuen Perez Vertti is a filmmaker and digital media artist originally from Mexico City. She has produced films for many public, private and non-profit organizations.