One of the largest public schools in the City can be found on the edge of the ford test track on Alexis Road…
The School was expanded after only two years to accommodate the influx of students, to Ford City during the boom years in the mid 1920’s
The first part of Gordon McGregor Public School was built in 1924, and designed the year before by the local architectural firm of David Nichols & Hugh Sheppard. According to my files there was an addition designed by Nichols, Sheppard & Masson in 1926.
The original 1924 section features some nice architectural sculpture.
This was the part that was added in the 1926 addition (I think the point where the addition was tied in can be seen behind the closest tree…) In 1934 there were over 1,200 students attending classes at Gordon McGregor. Amazing to think an intercity school in Windsor could have that kind of attendance today…
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From the Border Cities Star - December 6, 1924, almost a century ago to the…
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that's a huge school! why don't they build schools to look like this anymore? i wonder how nice it looked before the foundry dumped fallout on it for 80 years! do you have any idea what attendance is like now?
thanks Andrew!
It is huge, but isn't especially elegant, is it? I took home ec there back when the earth was cooling (1969 ish). Area Grade 8 students were bussed over - the boys had shop and we dainty girls had home ec. I remember learning to make Spanish Rice, sew a jumper and knit slippers.
The school was named for the Auto tycoon, of course http://www.cmhof.ca/McGregor.shtml, who is buried in Windsor Grove Cemetery.
A very nice school building indeed.
Schools used to be known as institutions and therefore had the command of presence on the street. Much like banks used to as well. They were "pillars" in the community landscape.
Today however, have you ever noticed how most schools look like institutions of incarceration? Are we setting these kids up to end up in the adult versions of the former?
I agree with you Andrew. Hardly any innner city kids anymore. But I can't help but think the school board(s) has had/has it's part to blame with all of those school closures.
How does one turn around a neighbourhood without the ability of children to go to school?
South end of this school is now a day care centre. I also went to this school for a half day for what was called Industrial arts. We went there a half day once a week & did wood work, sheet metal ashtrays & I remember making a plastic pie server. As a kid in grade eight I really thought I made something wonderful, but my brothers followed me later & made equally nice if not better things. Also we had to walk from David Maxwell about a mile walk from my house to get there.
Yes a built addition. today portables would be used !!
I agree with ME, all public institutions 'should' command presence on the street. libraries, firehalls, town halls... Look around Essex county and the only acheivable design we see is not much more than pole-barns or flat-roof-boxes.
My mother attended this school in the mid-1930's - not sure there was anything BUT inner city students in those days - there were no 'burbs at that time. Very interesting architectural details on the facade.
This was my grade school, I graduated from it in '97. At that time I believe the school had 600-700 students. The best part of the school was a separate auditorium located above the gym on the north side of the school, near the main entrance. The worst part was the gym below the auditorium. It was small and felt cramped with a short ceiling. The playground was huge and in gym class we use to have track and field events in the Test Track. The school's 86 years old but was in pretty good shape when I went there. I'd have to imagine it'll be replaced in the next decade or so and they could probably build a new school without having to tear this one down first.
hey Randolph i think i know you because i went to that school and graduated the same year as you, are you African by any chance?
hey Randolph i think i know you because i went to that school and graduated the same year as you, are you African by any chance?