Newspaper Article, Wasaga's First School 1883, by Connie Kilby

Name/Title

Newspaper Article, "Wasaga's First School 1883", by Connie Kilby

Entry/Object ID

2022.607.1

Scope and Content

Newspaper article from the Wasaga Beach News, September 4, 1979 - Wasaga's First School Built in 1883 by Connie Kilby

Context

The article chronicles the history of Wasaga Beach schools, including the Van Vlack School which was built in 1883 , at a cost of $228.22 with a 10' addition added 4 years later costing $105.00. The Van Vlack School was one large room, about 22' x 30' and was heated by a wood stove. The first teacher was John Gilchrist who earned $275 per year with approximately 50 students.The school continued to thrive over the years until in 1922, it was determined that most of the students came from the eastern part of the school section. The controversial decision was made, by a very close vote, to move the school 2 miles east to S 1/2 Lot 21, Flos Township at the corner of Highway 92 and County Road 20. The school was loaded onto skids and hitched to a team of horses. A group of men opposed to moving the school, built a bonfire in the middle of the road in an attempt to stop the move but eventually the move continued to the new location. The school was then formally known as Van Vlack Public School No. 12, Township of Flos. The school operated until June 29, 1965 when it was closed. After the Van Vlack School moved, the distance was too great for some students to travel to the new location. As a result, a school room began in a cottage at Miss Lee's Cottages, later known as Twin Trees Cottage, across the road from Eberhardt's Store. As the number of students grew, the school was then moved to a large room over Eberhardt's Store. In 1933, a petition circulated to build a new school. Mrs. Annabel Sage Mills donated property to be used as a site for a new school and public park. The school was built for $3900.00 and opened in December, 1939. Located at 30 Lewis Street, the building became the current Town of Wasaga Beach Muncipal Office in 1974. Mills Park is located on the same property. The article includes memories from former students of early Wasaga Beach schools.

Acquisition

Accession

2022.607

Source or Donor

Unknown

Acquisition Method

Gift