From the Border Cites Star, June 23, 1921:
Designed by John Boyde and J.P. Thomson, the construction was supervised by Pennington and Boyde.
According to the newspaper reports at the time, this design was the winning one in a competition held to design the new building. Local architects who made it to the final round were I.S.F. Walker (who designed the Lincoln Road United Church), David Cameron and Albert McPhail. I would love to see some of the designs that were submitted but never chosen.
Throughout the 1920’s some of Windsor’s grandest buildings were schools. Along with John Campbell, Kennedy and others, it was truly a boom time in the Border Cities, luckily many of these fine buildings still stand today.
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Ken Andrews, It is now called Windsor Light Theatre and yes they are still around. Their shows are at the Chrysler Theatre.
Was the building scaled down from its original design? This rendering is four windows wider than the school as it was built.
I mean, four windows on either side of centre - one extra classroom on each side?
i've seen a postcard that catches a little more of Argyle,and the newly planted sapplings lining the street.
Great article! My grandfather, William Moffat Thorburn was Secretary/Treasurer of the Walkerville School Board at the time and negotiated a larger lot size which allowed for the completion of the tennis courts and the cinder track. It also allowed for the expansion later which added the "new gym". His picture hung in the hall by the main office, near his office, until the late 50's about the same time that Bert Brown was named principal following the beloved Mr. Ball. The 75th reunion saw many former students and staff come together and reminisce about "the good old times". Living in South Walkerville, most of my family graduated from WCI and remain proud Tartans. A terrific school highly regarded for both athletics and academics.
Highly regarded for athletics? Really? Must have been decades ago...
Boy, I thought I was the only one that really disliked Mr. Ball. Mr. Brown wasn't that much better. I think my favorite teacher was Mr. Martin Young, who at the time taught Latin. I remember there were 2 Mr. Youngs, brothers I believe. I moved down south in April of 57. Schools down here were absolutely nothing compared to our schools in Windsor.
Well, now, I must disagree with my younger sister, Sharon Gray Sims -- I thought Mr. Ball was very nice -- strict, stern, but kind-hearted. In Grade 10 or 11, I was having a terrible time with algebra -- just couldn't understand it. He took me out of the regular class and every day at that time he gave me and one other girl private lessons in his office. I can't say I finally won a prize in algebra -- or that I ever got to LIKE it, but I DID get a pass -- all thanks to him. I don't know what problem Sharon had with him -- can't remember her ever talking about it. But looking back now, I truly believe that ALL the teachers at Walkerville were exceptionally good.
Graduated in 1965. Mr. Martin Young taught me latin - great teacher. Rumour was he could not allow himself to get angry due to a metal plate in his head. His brother was Willie Young - good teacher (science - room 288)- but very different. He also taught after school classes (classroom)for driving. He would stand out side his office between periods swinging a golf club with no head on it, stiking the terrazzo floor with the tip to make sparks and threatening doddlers in the hall. Rumour was he once held a student by the heels out the window. I remember Principal Brown - not so bad. The disciplinarian was, as was custumary, the Vice-principal - I think his name was something like Eisenhower.
Correct my previous post - the vice principal was Mr. Nighswander.