THIRD HIGH SCHOOL (1894 – 1928)
Immediately following the fire of March 16, 1893 plans were begun for a replacement. Mr. Oliver E. Tench* was engaged as architect and Wm. Cane and Sons were awarded the contract for construction.
*Architect for King George and Stuart Scott Schools and associate architect for Pickering College.
At 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon July 15, 1893 a ceremony for laying the corner stone was held. J. J. Pearson, Chairman of the Board, called upon Rev. J. W. Bell for Divine Blessing. Thos. J. Robertson gave a listing of the contents to be placed within the recess of the stone. The ceremony was followed by addresses delivered by ex-Mayor William Cane, George Rose a former teacher, Rev. Father Morris, J. A. Bastedo, T. H. Brunton, R.J. Davison, J. E. Dickson and Rev. Joseph Odery. In 1894 the building was formally opened by Hon. G. W. Ross, Minister of Education.
A two storey building was erected on the site of the previous structure. It contained four classrooms with a central projected portion fitted with a belvedere or open tower. The main entrance was approached by a flight of wide, stone steps on the west front and from the vestibule in the interior a further flight of wooden steps rose to the main floor level. The central portion of the interior contained two main stairways, one for the boys and one for the girls. At this time there were tour teachers and both commercial and academic subjects were taught,
In 1912 an addition was constructed to the east of the original building. It consisted of three classrooms on the second floor and an auditorium on the main floor which was divided by a movable partition and served as two more classrooms. On the third floor, or attics were two gymnasiums, one for the boys on the north end and one for the girls on the south. A small museum was located in the front central area. The staff increased to ten teachers (7 men and 3 women). The corner stone of this addition was laid by Mrs. Moses Bogart with a silver trowel beautifully engraved commemorating the occasion. Fortunately, this trowel still exists and is in safekeeping in the municipal archives.
Blackboards were installed in 1923 at a cost of $1,000.00. Previously, painted plaster was used and became badly in need of repair.
*ERA – October 14, 1910 – Laying the Cornerstone
Convocation for graduating students was held In the Town Hall until 1927, as the small auditorium in the school was not large enough for the graduates and public. Sports events, track and field meets were held at the Agricultural Society grounds (Fair Grounds) due to insufficient playground area at the school,
Mr.W.H. S. CANE – Sheriff York County
Students attending the Newmarket High School in the early 1900’s will recall with affection the late J. E. Hollingshead, who in 1920 recalled several earlier pupils who had distinguished themselves.
Dr.J.H. WESLEY R. WESLEYDr.Morley CODYDr.H.M. WILKINSONDr.C. ARMITAGE
RICHARDSONDr.Frank IRWINDr.BASTEDO Dr.Ernest DICKSONMr.Edgar A. BOGARTMr ,Edgar JAMES — York County r s EngineerMr.W. E. JACKSON – Astronomerm-ze Rev. H. FERGUSONMr. P.W. FLETCHER
Tribute must be paid to the late T. J. Robertson M.A. who served many years as Secretary of the High School Board and later Secretary E. A. Bogart for their untiring interest in the welfare of the school.
Due to the energy of E. A. Bogart, memorial pillars were dedicated on Armistice Day November 11, 1919. On the brass tablets of which are the names of the students who made the supreme sacrifice in the War 1914-1918, Inside is a framed Honor Roll in memory of those who took part in both wars.
In 1926 plans were made to again enlarge the building and tenders for $87,327,00 were accepted. The west front central projection with the tower was removed and a two storey rectangular frontal portion 154′ x 52’ was added containing a new gymnasium, auditorium and three classrooms. The corner stone was laid by Sir William Mulock on June 20, 1926.
Among the speakers were:
Mayor J.E. NESBITT Warden P.W. PEARSON William KEITH, MPP
Henry SENNETT High School Board W.J. PATTERSON High School. Board
E. HOLLINGSHEAD N.H.S.
Dr. F.N.G. STARR ex-student GOV.of of T.
Herbert LENNOX, MPP
(Newmarket Band in attendance)
The new addition was opened for classes in December 1926.
March 31, 1928 on Saturday night about 11 0′ clock a disastrous fire broke out which almost destroyed the whole building. The origin is not known. Principal E. D. Manning was at the school before the firemen arrived and attempted to enter but was repelled by smoke. He stated that the fire appeared to start in the rear hallway on the ground floor of the old building.
- o Nothing but the chimney and brick walls of the original building was left and only the exterior walls and a classroom at each end of the new addition remained,
- o The assembly hall, gymnasium, lecture and science rooms and the library with many presentation pictures end souvenir plaques were all destroyed. Teachers’ books end examination papers were lost but most of the students books had been• taken home on the previous Thursday prior to the Easter exams which commenced that day.
- o All the science room equipment and typewriters valued at $2400.00 in the commercial room were demolished.
- o W.L. K1dd suffered a great loss of 30 years of valuable material and work prepared for the science department.
FOURTH HIGH SCHOOL – 1929.
Following the fire of March 31, 1928 plans for a new building were at once formulated with architects Allward & Gouinlock of Toronto. In the interval classes continued in temporary quarters at the STUART SCOTT SCHOOL which had recently been built and was not fully occupied. All rooms were put to use including the basement area. The TEMPERANCE HALL on Millard Avenue was converted to a classroom to accommodate the displaced public school students from the STUART SCOTT SCHOOL.
The new HIGH SCHOOL was officially opened on Feb. 4,1929. The public were invited to attend and see the much talked of institution and its equipment. The assembly was filled to capacity; even standing room was at a premium.
The following participants contributed to the inauguration:
Mr. E. D. MANNING – Principal
FATHER WEDLOCK – Chairman of School Board Mr. W. J. PATTERSON – Chairman of Building comm.
Mr. G. R. GOÜINLOCK – Architect.
SIR. ROBERT FALCONER – Guest speaker president U. of
Actually, the students returned to school after the Thanksgiving holiday in 1928 even though the basement, gymnasium and auditorium were incomplete. The assembly was used for the first time on Jan. 16, 1929 when the Literary Society held their first meeting of the year,
The auditorium had seating capacity for 400 people and equipped with a large stage and ante—rooms. In addition, there are 12 classrooms, 2 science rooms, lecture room, library, cafeteria, lunch rooms, gymnasium with running track, showers and locker rooms,
Special features for that time were telephones, electric clocks and thermostats in each classroom. The clocks were controlled by a master clock in the principal’s office.
The teaching facilities offered the students a choice of either commercial or academic courses to enter the field of business and industry or to acquire entrance to university.
Many students from out of town attended the high school, coming from farms and villages as far away as Sutton, Mount Albert, Schomberg and Oak Ridges.
The Metropolitan Electric Railway operated until 1930 and provided daily transportation for several students to commute daily from their homes while others obtained lodging with citizens in the town.
With the cessation of the ‘street cars’ a bus service operating from Toronto to Sutton commenced and its schedule was adjusted to suit the timing for school commuters. Car pools served to bring the students from Holland Landing, Mount Albert, Ravenshoe, etc., which did not have access to public transport ion.
Shortly after the opening of the new high school in 1929 the stock market crash started the depression of the Thirties. The school enrollment increased slightly from approximately 275 to 325 in the decade. Difficult times prevailed, local industries had only part time production, farmers received very little return for their produce and people generally had not much money to spend. Nevertheless, families held together and supported their children in education, sending them to high school in the hopes of obtaining a firm base for the future.
Throughout the ‘depression’, morale was high in the school, discipline was strict under Mr. E. D. Manning and stability of purpose was maintained by the ‘old guard’ Mr. W. L. Kidd, Miss Wickett, Miss Cole, Miss King.
The outbreak of war in 1939 brought many changes affecting the high school with so many student enlisting for service in the armed forces. From the staff Mr. Mungo van Joined the army as an officer and Mr. J. MacZfacNei1 an officer in the navy. In the early stages of the war the school was in deep sorrow with the news that Mr. MacNeil’s ship was torpedoed on the way to Britain and he was lost,” at sea.
During the course of the conflict many students lost their lives. Individually they were all of the highest
calibre and are remembered with sadness by the tremendous loss of the potential they had for promising careers of achievement.
In August 1940 a basic training camp for the armed forces was established near the Fair Grounds and starting in January 1941, four classrooms in the high school were used for night school by the trainees.
By 1943 so many young men from the farms had enlisted and away from home there was a shortage of manpower.
School opening was delayed until the harvest was completed.
THE North EAST ADDITION (1951) AND FORMATION OF HIGH SCHOOL ‘DISTRICTS’
Many years of frustration passed in an endeavour to enlarge the school for the teaching of practical subjects in addition to the traditional academic curriculum. The depression period of the 1930’s with severe economic conditions, unemployment and then rumors of war indicated that the ‘OLD ORDER’ was breaking down and that the education needed a change to meet the unknown future.
At the school board meeting of April 7, 1938 a proposal was presented for the addition to the school for new classrooms for household science and shop work. This was recommended by the Board to the Town Council and was favourably received and agreed that the town would pay 50% of the cost in a total estimate of $22,400.00. Architect’s plans were prepared for a one-storey addition with basement at the north-east corner of the existing school. At the town council meeting of June 2, 1938 further action was postponed because of the necessity to put the proposal to a vote by the electorate of the municipality. Municipal elections were held on December 5, 1938 and the by-law for addition to Newmarket High School was defeated on the basis of being an added burden to the tax rate.
The war years prevented any further efforts to pursue the project. At the board meeting of February 4, 1943
Mr. G. L. Manning regretted the lack of vocational training and promised to reconsider the original proposal after the war.
A sub-committee of the High School Board on February 1, 1945 strongly urged the construction of a vocational wing for returned men from the services for rehabilitation. An estimate of $36, 000.00 for a two storey addition approximately 36 t x 48 1 was presented. The province was to pay of the cost leaving $9,000.00 for the town to finance. When this was submitted for government approval on September 30, 1945, the federal building controller refused the application due to priorities of housing construction and lack of trained labour in the building trades.
By January 1946 the controls on construction were revoked and emphasis was exercised by the Board for action on the school enlargement. Again obstacles arose. This time, the Department of Education advised that an addition to the school could not be achieved until the district, which was served by the school, was consolidated. In particular, the Mount Albert Continuation School was to be dispensed with and amalgamated with Newmarket High School. In 1947 this school was closed and the secondary pupils sent to Newmarket by bus.
Concurrently the Sutton High School required enlargement and was restricted by the directive of the Board of Education (for consolidation). The Newmarket High School Board on October 16, 1947 sent a letter to the town council stating that the board was unanimously in favour of the high school area plan and that Newmarket High School was no longer large enough to give adequate secondary education. Slow reaction by the town council greatly annoyed some members of the Board who threatened to resign if the council did not respond with a proper answer of some kind. In April, 1948 a committee comprising Messrs. Lockhart, Belugin and Mills went to the Deputy-Minister of Education to obtain details about school area formation and how to go about getting more space.
At a meeting with district school boards on May 18, 1948 the formation of a high school area had unanimous agreement. Newmarket Town council approved and put through the necessary papers immediately.
On May 26, 1948 By-Law No. 2342 established the Town of
Newmarket, the Townships of East Gwillimbury, North Gwillimbury, Georgina and part of Whitchurch and the Village of Sutton as a High School District known as the ‘NEWMARKET-SUTTON HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT’. The school boards were appointed by the York County Council with members representing the various comprising areas. This By-Law became effective January 1, 1949.
On October 11, 1949 at a meeting of the Newmarket-Sutton District Board, Mr. J. W. Lockhart, illustrated proposed plans for the new wing on the Newmarket School which was a revised plan originally drawn up in 1945. me two-storey wing would be built on the east side of the school at the north end and would not interfere with further additions in the future. It would contain shops in the basement, agricultural science on the ground floor and domestic science on the second floor. Considerable time lapse was anticipated for final go-ahead, due to approvals being obtained from all the area municipalities, the Ontario Municipal Board, the Department of Education of Ontario, as well as preparation and acceptance of architect’s plans.
At the Town Council meeting of January 19, 1950 the local approval was confirmed although the mayor feared that, in issuing debentures for this expenditure and other capital commitments, the interest rate may be raised to 4% from the prevailing 3% rate.
By September 1950, tenders for construction were received and $85,000.00 contract approved by Ontario Municipal Board. Construction commenced on October 12, 1950 and the new addition was ready for the school opening in September 1951. Finally, after almost 14 years the effort to add the first addition to Newmarket High School was a reality.
THE NORTH WING (1957)
The population growth of the district as a result of the rise of subdivisions and the post war ‘Baby Boom’ naturally led to increased enrollment and caused accommodation problems in the schools.
A building committee of the Newmarket-Sutton High School district was formed at the beginning of 1955. A survey of the existing conditions and a forecast of future requirements was presented to Newmarket Town Council in April 1955. The estimated costs for school enlargement was $360,000.00. Provincial grants would pay a little less than 50% with the balance shared by the municipalities served by the High School districts. The current accommodation was quite inadequate, having an enrollment of 100 students in excess of the 470 rated capacity limit. With the crowded conditions, the auditorium was divided into two classrooms and the lunch room converted to a teaching area.
Newmarket Town Council approved of the tentative estimate realizing there was no alternative with the number of new people coming into the district. By September 1955 architect’s plans were made and approved. The architects for this project were ‘WEIR AND CRIPPS’* Partners, of Toronto.
*Mr. R. A. Cripps was an early resident of Newmarket and his brother W.H. Cripps was well known for his drawing abilities in early issues of ‘The Purple and Gold’ and ‘Phoenix’ year books.
This extension was opened in 1957 and was a separate building linked to the original structure by a two level unit. The lower level serves as an entry and houses offices for the principals and clerical staff. The new wing provided a second gymnasium, cafeteria, classrooms, science rooms, and rooms for special activities such as music, art, economics, guidance etc.
Concurrently the older building was renovated. The cafeteria and lunch room (formerly rifle range) were dispensed with and divided into a classroom, a locker room and a storage room. The cloak rooms were converted to locker rooms and additional lockers installed in the upper corridors.
Additional acreage was purchased from Pickering College for an eastward extension of the playing field. This area was levelled and provided football grounds and a 100-yard track to compensate for the area taken by the new north wing.
HURON HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL
During the 1950’s the influx of sub dividers and developers made great changes to the affairs of the community and a direct impact on High School conditions. The rapid increase of population taxed the school accommodation to the limit. Large acreage held by land speculators turned productive farms into holding tracts of idle land awaiting opportunities for future real estate profits. The environment changed from agricultural to commercial and industrial enterprises and as a result teaching and training in the schools were forced to accept and adapt.
The concentration of the suburban areas resulted in the necessity for a more centralized administration of Secondary School affairs. With approval by the Minister of Education the NEWMARKET-SUTTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD recommended a separation of the two districts. The SUTTON DISTRICT wanted to control more closely their own schooling.
On November 29, 1959 By—Law No. 2905 was introduced by York County Council for the dissolution of NEWMARKET-SUTTON HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT. The Village of Sutton, Townships of Georgina and North Gwillimbury were detached and the remaining Town of Newmarket, Township of East Gwillimbury and part of Whitchurch Twp. became known as ‘NEWMARKET HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT’. The By—Law was to take effect on January 1, 1961 with a new Board of Trustees with representation by population of the respective areas. (i.e. Sutton and Newmarket).
Before the by—Law became valid it required approval of the municipalities involved. Sutton approved the resolution on Feb. 9, Georgina on Mar. 1 and North Gwillimbury on Mar. 7, 1960 but on May 5 Newmarket Council declined by a vote 6 to 2 because with the reduced area the cost per pupil would be $153 or 73% of total assessment (it remained from 65% to 75% ever since). When they learned that Provincial and County funding would provide for a new school they relented.
In spite of Newmarket’s objection, the by—Law was ratified on June 8, 1960 in York County Council by a vote 22 to 21 in favor of separation. NHS principal J. W. Lockhart stated that there was not room for expansion in the existing ‘high school and the split would necessitate a new school.
ON SEPT. 20, 1960 the NEWMARKET HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD WAS ADVISED BY THE DEPT. of EDUCATION TO PREPARE A PROPOSAL FOR NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF INCREASED ENROLLMENT.
By December 1960 as a result of a survey report a request for York County financing was made for $815, 000 to construct a 20 room school in East Gwillimbury Township to serve an estimated 580 students by 1962.
Having a ‘Go—Ahead’ negotiations were under way in January 1961 for the purchase of an 11-acre site north of Davis Drive being part of the Roy Watson farm. At this time, it was all farm land from east of Bolton Ave. to Leslie St. It was intended that the new school to be called ‘HURON HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL’ was to open in September 1962. Delays in planning ensued by a change of policy by Federal and Provincial grants for technical education. Originally an academic school was planned but when the two governments offered to underwrite the cost of technical training the plans were discarded and new ones drawn up.
In the meantime, the overcrowding in NHS became acute. It was decided to operate the two schools in shifts at NHS until HHSS was ready for use . The morning shift 8 .00 a .m. to 12 . 40 p . m. comprised 566 students and 31 teachers and the afternoon shift 648 students and 33 teachers . J . W. Lockhart was supervising principal of both schools with L. G . Shepherd principal of HHSS and I . C . Harris principal of NHS .
By June 1963 the new HHSS was sufficiently complete for students to write their final examinations . In September the school was fully occupied and officially opened on October 30 , 196 3
The cost was $1 . 5 million with the Province paying $1 . 1 million and York County $400 , 000 .
Before final completion plans were underway to add 23 more rooms .
In 1965 a 23 room addition was constructed to double the student accommodation from 610 to 1 190. Tenders were opened Sept . 25 , 1964 final approvals received by Nov . 20 and construction commenced at once with completion in September 1965 .
A further extension of 29 rooms was planned in 1967 and completed in 1969 which added 7 more rooms for business and commercial , 10 more for academic , 3 gæography and 5 standard classrooms . Gymnasium and change rooms were increased as well as a larger library and a new cafeteria . The old library chandü to a classroom and the old cafeteria converted to audio—visual and seminar use .
With H HSS in operation as a fully equiped composite school with academic and vocational facilities , NHS remained to function in a basic academic role .
At the old Newmarket High School the increased student enrollment necessitated more teachers and accommodation for them .
A new two s toru wing was added in 1962 at the north—west corner of the original building which closed off the Boy ‘ s entrance . This integrated addition replaced the small and inadequate staff rooms in the old school .
LIBRARY ADDITION 1966
In September 1965 the Newmarket District High School Board requested funding from York County Council for increased accommodation for library facilities. This was approved and on November 1, 1966 a new library wing was opened, mts addition is a single storey structure extending to the west from the northerly portion of the main building and tied to the existing north—west wing by an entrance corridor.
The library facilities include: a stack room, reading room, work room, seminar room and audio-visual aids room. There are approximately 10, 000 books fiction, non fiction and reference. Up-to-date periodicals are maintained for current events,
With this addition, the school as a whole became a conglomerate and although the individual units are functional, the aesthetic quality of the original building is lost especially with the necessity to add supplementary “Portables for classrooms.
1974 RENOVATION
A situation arose in which was potentially catastrophic. Relatively minor modifications were required to up-date the condition of the chemistry labs and general building improvements. The Regional Board of Education stipulated that if changes were being made, the whole school must be up-graded to conform to the current building code and non-compliance would mean closing the entire school. Approximately two weeks’ notice was given that the school would be closed permanently and the students were to be bussed to the new Aurora High School, which was not being fully utilized.
Naturally, emotions arose and consternation prevailed in the community which resulted in a public meeting attended by over I,000 people. The Minister of Education, the Member of Provincial Parliament, concerned citizens, teachers, students and representatives of the Teachers Federation were unanimously opposed to the closing. The local fire Inspector maintained that fire regulations did not warrant a closing. Education Minister Thomas Wells, did not approve closing a school, the M.P.P.
was not in favour of the loss to the community, the public were opposed to the loss in heritage.
The result of the meeting proved favourable to retain the existence of Newmarket High School. The Minister of Education immediately approved the estimated expenditure of $200,000.00 and a guarantee for fulfillment of requirements.
Local architects, Smith and Milne were chosen for the design alterations to embody the initiating changes plus the incorporation of building code requirements. New fire retardant ceilings were installed in the north wing, stairways and exits were changed and miscellaneous Improvements made. These renovations served to recondition the school building to a satisfactory and approved state.
