Profiles of the Past

by Aylmer and District Museum Curator, Pat Zimmer

This coloured SNAPSHOT TAKEN by the Late Evelyn Hoshal is of the Springfield Public School once known as the Springfield Continuation and Public SCHOOL BUILT in 1922/23.  This school was in use as a public school from 1922/23 until 1976 when the county school board erected the new Springfield Public School. This was the fifth school to serve the resident of and around the village of springfield.  Photo:  Springfield School Album - The Hoshal Collection 2003

THE OPENING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CONTINUATION SCHOOL

The doors of the new Springfield school were opened Monday evening, April 10, 1923 to receive current and past students who crowded into the new rooms and corridors for the grand opening.   Building of the school began in 1922.  The school board consisting of Chairman T. Leeson, J. Williams, D.G. Gillies, John Brown, F. Lamb and W. Fulkerson received many handshakes and expressions of congratulations from the delighted crowd regarding the new building which cost $43,000 to construct.

The unknown reporter who submitted the article to the St. Thomas newspaper stated, “The people of Springfield have always placed the education of the children first and foremost and it is very gratifying to know that graduates of our school are holding splendid positions, not only in Canada but in the United States and even in the Mother Country.”

Principal Hicks occupied the chair and gave a few introductory remarks.  Inspectors J.A. Taylor and J.C. Smith spoke to the large audience on points related to the present day system of education.  The architect Mr. Murray and Contractor George Craik assured those present that the design and construction of the new school building were both first class.  An unexpected guest J.C. Dance stopped by on his way back from Toronto to see and express his delight over the building.  His interest stemmed to the tales he heard from his wife who attended the old school.

Other platform speakers included Rev. Mr. Williams and two former principals, E.A. Awde of Aylmer High School and George Stewart who had “spent seventeen years at the helm” both gave short addresses.  Next, W.I. Atkin spoke on the old days when the second school was located on Udell farm, east of the village.  Both he and his brother attended that school and their uncle, Dr. John Leeson was their teacher.

The entertainment portion of the program included Mrs. Mae Winter, a former student who displayed her talent as an elocutionist followed by Dr. G. Gillies, a member of the school board who presented diplomas from last summer to Freda Cooper, Vera Cole, Viola Chambers, Winnie Winter and Mildred Williams. The rest of the entertainment was supplied by the students of the new school who sang, played instruments and gave recitals.  These students were R. Smith, R. Fulkerson, Mary Hodgson, Muriel and Merritt Brown, Violet Cutler, C. Purdy, Jean and Marion Moore, William and Helen Jamieson, E.B. Cooper, Winnie Cathers, B. Davies, Marguerite Lamb and Helen Coreless.  Mrs. R. Connor, another former student played accompaniment for some of the student performers.

Wesley Collins, the school board secretary told the audience of the causes leading up to and the building of “this fine new edifice.”  The school board members then received their introduction to the people and were dully recognized for the long months and efforts in getting the support necessary to build the school.  They included:  T. Leeson, Chair, J. Williams, D.G. Gillies, John Brown, F. Lamb and W. Fulkerson.  Village Council members present received their share of applause for their support in the matter.  

Students took possession of their new school the next morning. Only the spirits and memories of the past would roam the corridors of the old white brick school soon to be demolished.

The East Elgin District High School Board established in 1947 immediately took on two tasks.  They included transportation of all high school students in East Elgin and the enlargement of the existing Aylmer High School to deal with the increase of students from villages with small high schools, like Springfield.  

From 1947 onward, the school built in 1922/23 became a public school and the increase in the village population made quick use of the top floor formerly reserved for the high school students.  

That same school year 1947/48 The Argus once again became a yearly publication.  It was not in publication during the war years of W.W. II.  Mr. Herbert Stevens a war veteran was the principal listed in that publication year’s publication.  He had been principal at Aylmer High School since the end of the war in 1945.   

Sources:  Articles:  Springfield School Album, The Hoshal Collection 2003, The Argus-Aylmer High School 1948-49 - Jessie Charlton 2010.   

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