James McNay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on January 31, 1907. Between 1951 and 1953, he worked in the payroll department for Alcan. He had to leave his wife Effie and his two young daughters, Margaret and Diane, aged 6 and 5 in 1951, at home in Surrey, B.C., during his 3-4 month stints in Kitimat. To fill some of his free time and show his family where he was and what Kitimat was like, he spent many hours walking in the area with a 35mm Kodak camera. He photographed the scenic beauty of the area and parts of the construction of both the smelters and the town. He died in Surrey on August 7, 1983.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret McNay. Images were taken by her father and sent to their family in Surrey in the 1950s.
Scope and Content
Slide showing opening to the Kitimat Yacht Club basin. Sailboats and the Alcan dock in the distance.
Photo showing view of Kitimat River Bridge looking west, east pier in foreground showing whalers in place with sheet piling driven to grade, in center: pier, and on right: two bearing piles driven to required bearing. On left, sixty foot pile in place for splicing, temporary bridge crew completing placing rock in pier.
Photo showing view of Kitimat River Bridge looking west, east pier in foreground showing whalers in place with sheet piling driven to grade, in center: pier, and on right: two bearing piles driven to required bearing. On left, sixty foot pile in place for splicing, temporary bridge crew completing placing rock in pier.
Aerial photo of the Kitimat river estuary showing Kitimat River, Kitimat Harbor, Minette Bay, and the Alcan company smelter site taken from the southwest looking northeast towards the Kitimat City Centre.
Aerial photo of the Kitimat river estuary showing Kitimat River, Kitimat Harbor, Minette Bay, and the Alcan company smelter site taken from the southwest looking northeast towards the Kitimat City Centre.
10 slides featuring image of Kitimat in 1980. Slides include images of the Safety Building, hospital, an aerial, Moore Creek waterfall, golf course, centennial park, Lakelse Lake, Alcan Office, and Kitimat River.
10 slides featuring image of Kitimat in 1980. Slides include images of the Safety Building, hospital, an aerial, Moore Creek waterfall, golf course, centennial park, Lakelse Lake, Alcan Office, and Kitimat River.
Photograph of an aerial view the the Alcan plant and Kitimat River Delta. Alcan plant is visible above while the delta is below.
Notes
Back of photo has 2 dates, Jan 23 1985 and Jan 23 1986. The 1986 date is a sticker add on, while the 1985 date is stamped on. The 1985 date is believed to be correct.
Photograph of an aerial of the harbour facilities at Kitimat, BC. The Alcan plant is visible above it, and the Kitimat river delta is below.
Notes
Back of photo has 2 dates, Jan 23 1985 and Jan 23 1986. The 1986 date is a sticker add on, while the 1985 date is stamped on. The 1985 date is believed to be correct.
Photograph of an aerial of the Alcan Plant and Kitimat River Facility. Alcan Plant is visible above and Kitimat River delta is below.
Notes
Back of photo has 2 dates, Jan 23 1985 and Jan 23 1986. The 1986 date is a sticker add on, while the 1985 date is stamped on. The 1985 date is believed to be correct.
Photograph of aerial of the Kitimat River Delta, Alcan Plant and part of the Ocelot Operation. Alcan Plant is visible above, Kitimat River Delta below, and Ocelot is to the right.
Photograph of aerial of the Kitimat River Delta, Alcan Plant and part of the Ocelot Operation. Alcan Plant is visible above, Kitimat River Delta below, and Ocelot is to the right.
Notes
Back of photo has 2 dates, Jan 23 1985 and Jan 23 1986. The 1986 date is a sticker add on, while the 1985 date is stamped on. The 1985 date is believed to be correct.
