The one room rural schoolhouses whether built of frame, brick or stone were simple in design and construction, and were functional and unpretentious. Hundreds were built across the province and many can still be seen along Ontario roadways.

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Goderich Public School, [ca. 1900]
Department of Public Works
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 15-90-0-0-11
Archives of Ontario, I0002112

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School Section (S.S.) No. 1 School in Guelph, [ca. 1915]
Ministry of Education
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 2-71 COG-59
Archives of Ontario, I0004100

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School house : [teachers and children
posing outside by fence], January 25, 1906
Marsden Kemp fonds
Glass plate negative
Reference Code: C 130-6-0-8-1
Archives of Ontario, I0013556

Often, though, the one room schoolhouse was not readily adaptable to the new departmental standards or able to accommodate the rapid growth of some communities. So, many were replaced with larger, more beautifully constructed and better-equipped buildings.

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Exterior façade with boys and girls entrances, Horner Avenue School, Long Branch, 1916
Ministry of Education
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 2-43, 4-831
Archives of Ontario, I0021547

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Doorway with washroom and coat hooks, Horner Avenue School, Long Branch, 1916
Ministry of Education
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 2-43, 4-831
Archives of Ontario, I0021548

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Classroom with teacher's office in back, Horner Avenue School, Long Branch, 1916
Ministry of Education
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 2-43, 4-831
Archives of Ontario, I0021549

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Elevation of Proposed Schoolhouse at Bathurst and College Streets, [n.d.]
J.C.B.and E. C Horwood collection
Reference Code: C 11-449, container K-514
Archives of Ontario, AO6900

The Enduring Quality of Schoolhouses

Many of the old rural schoolhouses are still being used today. Some have been converted into private residences and businesses, while others continue to be used as schools, such as Bridgenorth Elementary school shown in these photographs.

The photograph to the right, taken ca. 1920 shows the students working in the garden. The two photos below, taken from a different angle by Anne Logan ca. 1970, portray the same school, much-modified and with a more modern addition attached.

Anne Logan (C 238) photographed many of the existing schoolhouses across the province in the 1970s and 1980s. Her photographs document the enduring quality of the old schoolhouses and their evolving uses over time.

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Children working in school garden, Bridgenorth Elementary, Peterborough County, [ca. 1920]
Ministry of Education
Transparency on aperture card
Reference Code: RG 2-43 (4-874-P), S16148
Archives of Ontario

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Bridgenorth Elementary School, [ca. 1970]
Anne Logan fonds
Colour negative
Reference Code: C 238-2-0-24.5
Archives of Ontario, I00200883

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Bridgenorth Elementary School, [ca. 1970]
Anne Logan fonds
Colour negative
Reference Code: C 238-2-0-24.5
Archives of Ontario, I0020882

Laying the Groundwork | A Centre for Learning | Public School Boards | Schoolhouses
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