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SURREY NOW & THEN: Roy Houghton photographed thousands of people, events from ’50s to ’70s

Now stored at Surrey Archives, Houghton’s large collection of photos is subject of a talk May 12
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The McDonald’s restaurant opening in Surrey in 1967. (Photo: Roy Houghton Photographic Studio Collection/Surrey Archives)

For a couple of decades, both in and around his photo studio in Whalley, Roy Houghton focused his cameras on community events, students and business of North Surrey.

From the 1950s to 1970s he photographed the opening of Surrey’s very first McDonald’s restaurant, among other landmark events in the area – fundraising efforts, the construction of new amenities, memorial celebrations, weddings and more.

You name it, Houghton was probably there.

“From school clubs to professional portraits, Houghton’s work is centered on Surrey’s people,” noted Chelsea Christensen, archivist at Surrey Archives, where thousands of Houghton’s photographs are stored.

This week, ‘The Roy Houghton Collection’ will be explored in another free virtual talk hosted by Surrey Archives, on Thursday, May 12, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Houghton operated Roy Houghton Photographic Studio, located at 1536 1/2 Trans-Canada Highway, near what is now 108 Avenue and King George Boulevard. He established his photo studio there in the early 1950s after returning from service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during The Second World War.

Born in 1917 and originally from Birmingham, England, Houghton’s time in Surrey saw him deeply involved in the community, with organizations including Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, Royal Canadian Legion and the Professional Photographers Association of B.C.

(STORY CONTINUES BELOW PHOTOS)

PICTURED ABOVE: North Surrey High School club in the 1960s. (Photo: Roy Houghton Photographic Studio Collection/Surrey Archives)

PICTURED ABOVE: Kiwanis Car Wash in the 1950s. Roy Houghton is pictured behind the car on the right. (Photo: Roy Houghton Photographic Studio Collection/Surrey Archives)

PICTURED ABOVE: Roadside signs in North Surrey in the 1960s, including one for Roy Houghton’s photo studio in the background, behind a telephone pole. It is the only known photo showing the studio’s exterior in the Surrey Archives collection. (Photo: Roy Houghton Photographic Studio Collection/Surrey Archives)

PICTURED ABOVE: In 1966 Roy Houghton, left, presented fellow Kiwanis Club member Bill Wilson with a plaque in recognition of exceptional leadership and service as lieutenant-governor for Kiwanis District 1B. (Photo: Roy Houghton Photographic Studio Collection/Surrey Archives)

A decade ago, Houghton’s family donated his photographs and detailed notes to Surrey Archives.

“The collection is expansive, consisting of over 2,200 photographs,” Christensen explained. “It provides unique insight into 1950s through ‘70s community life in North Surrey.”

One photograph shows the sign for Houghton’s studio in the background, behind a telephone pole. It is the only known photo depicting the studio’s exterior in the Surrey Archives collection.

Houghton died in 1977, and was living in Surrey at the time.

Thursday’s hour-long virtual talk, on Microsoft Teams, will allow participants to view Houghton’s studio photos, candid shots and landscapes from the 1950s to 1970s. To register, visit surrey.ca/archives or call 604-501-5100.



tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com

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Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

I cover entertainment, sports and news stories for the Surrey Now-Leader, where I've worked for more than half of my 30-plus years in the newspaper business.
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