Centre Ward School was built in 1884 (4 rooms), an addition was added to the East in 1891 (4 rooms). A little later a west wing was added (8 rooms). The Presentation Brothers took over the school in 1913. Local stories say the classes were so full that children sat on the floor between the aisles. By Feb 9, 1949, the building was up for sale and was replaced by a new school on the corner of Fourth and Adolphus. Recently, this “new” wing was deemed redundant and was completely demolished.

—Lily Worrall Collection

Cornwall High School, later known as Cornwall Collegiate Institute (Below). Notice how the south door (with staircase) is no longer used in the third photo. Also, the western door has also been closed off and the entrance moved to the new addition at the northern end of the school. The school had many additions over the years and the name today is Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS).

—Lily Worrall Collection

A generic photo is used with a small copy of a CCI picture (shown above.)

    The sender writes: “Received your letter some time ago. Am writing on my exams now. Shall write to you when I go home.” and at the top “With love to Aunt olive and yourself from May.”

    On the photo is written “Boys Entrance.”

—Clive Marin Collection

—Lily Worrall Collection

This photo of the Public School (Central Public School today) was taken very early. This “wing” eventually became the centre of the school. The addition (that has had its front door preserved in the New Central Public School) was built in front of this building. Notice how small the trees are. Erected in 1885 this building had 12 classrooms, exclusive of the basement which at the time contained the caretaker’s apartments, furnace rooms, etc.

—Lily Worrall Collection

The Public School was home to the Normal School for many years —where teachers were taught to teach. The Normal School ran tandem with the public school classes.

—Lily Worrall Collection

The message reads: “March 28, St. Andrews West, Ont., Dear Friend, As I have not heard from you for some time I was looking for a letter today and as I did not get any I said maybe you were sick please write soon I remain your friend. J.W.H.” Postmarked Mar 29, 1906.

—Clive Marin Collection

—Lily Worrall Collection

—Lily Worrall Collection

The photo left and the next are a fine example of a postcard picture being colorized and reused.

—Lily Worrall Collection

In 1921 a new addition of six rooms and an assembly hall was added to the North end of the school (where the larger porch and fire escape are located.) The addition was designed by William Caven Beattie who later designed the 1932 addition—on the Second Street side of the school.

—Lily Worrall Collection

The fine north porch seen in the card above (closest to the fire escape) was replaced by the 1921 addition. The East porch or girl’s door has been reduced to a small portico over the doorway. In later years the assembly hall was converted to a Kindergarten class. The flags in this photo are probably an indication that the 24th of May was being celebrated.

—Lily Worrall Collection

In 1931 Atchison & Co., received the contract to build a third addition to the school which was designed by William Caven Beattie. The original central portion of the school with its gables and dormers can be seen behind the new addition and the second addition with a bit of the Kindergarten wing can be seen in the distance (with a matching band of light brick at the top). The front door replaced the earlier door of the 1885 wing, and was designated for teachers and guests, only. Before classes began, there was usually one or more eager girls standing guard to open the door for any approaching teacher. The “Teachers' Room” on the second floor was immediately above the teachers' door.

    In the 1950s the second street side of the school lot was the girl’s “side” while the third street side belonged to the boys. When the entire school was demolished in the early 2000s, the facade of the 1931 front door was preserved and built into the library of the “new” Central Public School.

   Memory Shared: Students enjoyed a rotation of seasonal games. In the 1950s the boy’s side had a hockey rink and a carnival day was held for the whole school, with costumes and competitions. In early spring alleys were played in the ice and snow as soon as a pot could be dug in the ground with the heel of one’s boot or shoe, followed later by bolo bats, yo yos, skipping ropes, red-white-blue balls, hopscotch and baseball. by LW

—Lily Worrall Collection

The plain brick wall facing east on the girl’s side was a premium location at recess time when red, white and blue rubber balls appeared each year. That wall was the only window-free space for throwing and catching balls. There were never any shrubs beneath that wall - that is an addition to the card by the photo studio. In the jog after the plain brick wall was the bubbling water fountain. It was dedicated to the memory of the school nurse who died young during the 1918 flu pandemic.

—Lily Worrall Collection

Public School, Cornwall Ont.

—Clive Marin Collection

Campus of St. Lawrence College

—Clive Marin Collection