Over on Felix Avenue in Windsor’s west side, you’ll find another classic old school building. Today known as J.L. Forster Secondary School.
The building was designed by an architect named Andrew Johnston Riddell in 1922. Riddell is a bit of an interesting man… Born and educated in Scotland, he moved to Canada in 1904 settling in Winnipeg. He moved to Windsor in 1918, and died in 1924. This is his only known work in Windsor.
As the area changed, so did the original building. Wings were added on each side.
But the original section remains in great shape. When it originally opened it was called General Byng School. As Sandwich was a community that was growing, they were always adding to the school system. It started with the construction of General Brock School, followed by the Prince of Wales. The local school board noted a need for a public secondary school, as well as extra capacity for primary school children, so the General Byng School opened in 1922, serving both primary and secondary school students.
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“The council at Sandwich, Ont., recently granted the Sandwich Board of Public School Trustees the sum of $266,041 for the construction of a new 10 room school on Felix Avenue. The new school will be equipped with a gymnasium and auditorium and will be modern in every respect. The general contract has been awarded to the Windsor Construction Co.”
– The Contract Record, October 25, 1922
The school building was eventually renamed in honour of an early principal, John L. Forster.
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Hmmm a more prominent person Forster or Byng? I’ll take Byng any day.
I too am glad to see the school board keepingn this building in good shape at least from the outside.
I’d take Byng of Vimy as well. A Principal or the Commander of the Canadian Corps?
Oops. There’s no “e” (“For’e’ster”) in “Forster”. Surprising how often this mistake is made. John L. Forster was the school’s first principal.
Thanks Hal, I’ve updated the post.
ME & Ric – Same thing happened at the Windsor-Walkerville Technical School. It was renamed after the principal W.D. Lowe.
I’m not sure when they changed it, but I would suspect after amalgamation with Windsor in 1937.
Don’t forget the grade school, General Brock. Sandwich had a habit of naming after military figures…
J. L. Forster, was also a long-time, active resident of Sandwich who lived in the 300-block of Rosedale Avenue. Although the house is in the proposed designated historical district, it backs on Indian Road and would be about a hundred feet away from the towering, international skyway/ truck route the Ambassador Bridge company is proposing for the neighborhood.
We used to take swimming lessons every summer when I was in grade school (1955 to 1959). I think the pool was changed to a lunch room.
I lived on Rosedale, two doors away from John Forster in the early eighties. He was in his mid nineties, but despite his age, he still went out for a walk every day. His daughter (who lived next door) told us that he would walk up to McDonalds at College & Huron Church (a little over a kilometre each way). I hope I’m as active and independent as he was when I’m that age.
I believe Forster will be participating in Doors Open this fall, if anyone wants to see the inside. To Mg: J.L. did, in fact, go to McDonald’s on a regular basis. He was waited on by my husband who attended Forster, worked at McDonald’s and is now Principal there.
Thanks for the nice pictures and interesting write up on one of Windsor’s best kept secrets. The wonderful Forster Secondary School.
While I understand and appreciate the comments about General Byng, it should also be noted that John L. Forster served as Principal of the school for thirty-two years (1922-1954.) In these times when Principals are routinely transferred after four or five years, this is quite an accomplishment – certainly deserving of “naming recognition.” – David Garlick, Principal, Forster Secondary School 2008 – ?
To Carol Anne – The pool is still a pool – not a lunch room.
P.S. Excellent write up, by the way.
I just briefly heard on Am 800 yesterday that the board wants to remove Forster, WD Lowe, Prince Edward and a few others from the Heritage Building list. I hope they don’t plan on removing these historic schools from existance ?
Anyone have any idea’s as to what their intentions are ?
I have been researching the old ‘Schools and Teachers of Ontario’ Blue Books, and I have come up with a partial resume for John L. Forster, starting in 1921.
Principal – General Brock School – 1921 to 1923.
Principal – General Byng School – 1923 to 1931.
Principal – Sandwich Continuation School – 1926 to 1929.
Principal – Sandwich High School – 1929 to 1937.
Principal – Windsor Sandwich Collegiate Institute – 1937 to 1938.
Principal – Sandwich Collegiate Institute – 1938 to 1953.
Principal – John L. Forster Collegiate Institute – 1953 to 1954.
To my understanding, the Continuation School was the forerunner of the High School, and the High School was then transformed into the Collegiate Institute. Does anyone out there know what the difference was between the three? Were they just administrative titles?
He must have been quite a person, especially to think that he ran the public school and the high school at the same time, from 1926 to 1931. He also ran the school for one year after it was named after him. That is something that you don’t see too often. The Blue Books showed that as of 1953, he had 27 years experience in secondary schools and 14 years in elementary schools. That is an impressive record.
My mom attended Sandwich from 1947 to 1951, and she told me that back then, the Commercial students used to help out with the office work and paperwork etc, because there were no vice principals, and perhaps only one secretary. The principals and teachers not only taught, but they had to handle all of the administrative work in running the school. Most of my aunts and uncles also attended the school while he was principal, and all of them had nothing but respect for Mr. Forster.
To Andrew – The name change at W. D. Lowe took place in March 1947. Mr. Lowe died in June 1945. Thanks for running a great website.
David, thanks for the info. From what I’ve read outside of the first entry for Gen. Brock school, the others are all the same building, the current Forster. The name changes in 1937/1938, likely reflects administrative changes following the amalgamation of Sandwich into Windsor. At one point the school served as both a grade school and high school at the same time.
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Public+school+board+wants+schools+heritage+list/3035766/story.html
Thanks for the link Rich. We had it mentioned at the last heritage committee meeting. However the letter came in the day before so it didn’t make it to the agenda. We will discuss it at the next meeting. However, I think it’s a case of making a mountain out of a molehill.
The board wants the schools off, I would not vote to remove them, and I doubt anyone on the committee would either.
As it stand all being listed does, is trigger a 60 day freeze when a demolition permit is requested. The school board wants the buildings off the list, so that if they should decide to demolish any of them, they don’t want to have to have it reviewed.
Much like churches, schools are a part of the history of our community, and their value to the area is greater than the current owners maybe realize.
Andrew you guys HAVE to stop this! all those schools…..what a shame. why can’t they just do the same as with John Campbell? hollow it out and build in the envelope.
Interesting article. I attended SCI from 1947 – 1950. Some of the great teachers included Mr. Pew who was also involved in the sports program. I was fortunate to be on the track team, a drummer in the bugle band and although I was only twelve in grade nine, I did get along with all of my peers. J.L.Forster was hated by 90% of the students. He was constantly angry and “shuffled” down the hall intimidating anyone who dared get in his path. Miss Weller taught Latin. She too was looked apon as an ogre by those who were unfortunate enough to take her class. High school years are memorable years that will always be remembered. Many ex SCI grads went on to greater heights thanks to some of the teachers who assisted in molding our lives but, the truth can not be altered and although the school eventually bore his name, J.L. Forster was a bully who misused his authority.
Wish someone would scan their old Spartalogues and upload them onto the Internet. Maybe Dave Garlick could initiate such a project, using the back copies in the school archives/library -which is where mine from the early ’50s repose. I understand many priceless old records were destroyed in a fire at the school and copies of items like the yearbook now exist only in private hands. Putting them online would be a way of preserving them for future generations.
I was at Forster 1954-1959 but I only remember Mr Steadman (Windy). I lost my year books in a flood so would really appreciate them being online. It is fun to look on Classmates.com to see how we all have changed.
I have yearbooks 1961,62,63 and I love looking at the old photos of people I remember and some that I do not.
I was in Forster 1972 – 77. I have yearbooks 1973, ’74 & ’75. I also have a copy of 1971 – don’t know why? My 1976 Gr. 12 Yearbook and my 1977 Gr. 13 Yearbooks are missing. If anyone has a spare ’76 and ’77 Yearbook, I would love to have them. Will cover costs.
WOW I KNOW THESE NAME BARB MOFFAT DAVID HANSEN==EVEN RUSS SANDERS WENT TO FORSTER JUST TO OLD TO REMEMBER WHEN I THINK STARTED 1973 NOT SURE LOL MICHAEL BOYCE
Bth my mother and grandmother attended Forster while Forster was principal – I believe my grandmother even attended while it was a grade school as well….
I attended here in the mid-sixties and remember Miss Weller very clearly. She was quite strict but deep down had a kind heart and a good sense of humour. The Principal during my time there was Mr R J Krol who was a bit austere but had everyone’s best interests at heart. There was also the Deputy Principal, Mr Laughheed who seemed quite pleasant.
When I joined, the school was just recovering from a major fire that I was told was started by some rogue students. During my time there, the building was totally renovated with several extensions being built.
I didn’t particularly like the place and some of the teachers were dreadful. I remember the Librarian, Miss Fields who was deranged to say the least. One of the best teachers was Ellis Landale who went on to receive the Order of Canada for his work with the Army Reserves.
I look forward to attending the May 18/19 2012 reunion. Lots of memories. This historical update is helpful.
I have fond memories of the school and my class mates. I just found out that Max Karcz passed away. He was our Gym teacher. We also had a shooting range in the basement, can you imagine that, loaded guns in a high school and part of the class! I only met a few classmates after graduating in 1967. Those were great days I can recall them as if it were yesterday.
Hello, I am trying to get copies of yearbooks, 1977,1978. Can anyone please help. Joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1977.
Here is a few names that may help.
Constantine Vasaladis, or George
Ted Reiser
Mitch Gibble
LeeAnn Desrosiers
Peggy Simpson
Anne Sparrow
Donita Smith
Mark Smith
Roger Rivard
Jeff Ogle
Mark Warner
Peter Palazolo
Thank
Scott
The high school is closing this year and they are having a final open house on Saturday, May 31 from 10-6 pm. There will also be another celebration hosted by the alumni at Forster on Saturday, June 21 from 6- 11pm with a dance.