Over the weekend, I received a few emails that the old grade school at Ontario just west of Pillette was biting the dust. See here for photos of the demolition on Windsorite.ca.
Another part of Windsor’s history again bites the dust.
Designed by Albert McPhail, the school was built in 1922 and was opened as the Ontario Street School.
It was eventually renamed in honour of long time principal Ada Richards.
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From the Border Cities Star – December 21, 1923:
- The new $150,000 Ontario Street Public School, Ford City, which was officially opened last night by Mayor Reaume and Dr. Maxwell, public schools inspector, assisted by other prominent residents of the motor town. More than 700 people attended the formal opening, in addition to 360 children, who, following the ceremony, presented a very pleasing cantata in the fine school auditorium. Construction on the new school was started in September, 1922, pupils being admitted to classes September last. The school is described by Dr. Maxwell as one of the most modern and up-to-date in the Border Citis (sic). It is equipped with a fine gymnasium, equal in size to that of many larger educational institutions. Although in use only four months, the growth of the motor town has been such as to make the new building already overcrowded.
Another one bites the dust.
Ugh.
“…360 children, who, following the ceremony, presented a very pleasing cantata in the fine school auditorium.”
*sigh*
Thanks for your research Andrew. It’s very interesting to see the original facade. The windows over the two front entrances were actually removed and bricked in with smaller replacement windows while I was a student there (1976-1985). Sad to see the old place go, but sadly the building had become pretty derelict in recent years. Too bad someone couldn’t restore it. Edith Cavall Public School is from the same era and that was converted into condos. I wonder if that was ever considered. I would guess the condo route would have a lot of risks to the developer.
Interesting that the U’s in the ‘Auditorium’ etching appear to actually be V’s. I’ve seen this several times before on other buildings before as well. Does anybody know what the story about that is? Did they just have a limited stencil to create the font?
With this, now my old high school AND the school where I had my first day of school are both gone.
Robs
The intention was to make the inscription look old, in the middle ages the letter v stood for its present sound and the u sound, see the wiki link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U
Ive always liked these kind of school designs.i went to gordon mcgregor and it was of similiar style.gives it character.But of course being typical Windsor destroy everything that has good history the minute it closes but dont touch buildings that have been around for a short period of time.let them sit empty.oh well.But does anybody know why this school closed?Lack of funding?
To Orlando, I know enrollment in that district has been very low for a long time. The Board of Ed. kept it going as a continuing education facility of some sort for a while in the 1990’s. Around 1980 there was a huge controversy about asbestos being removed while school was in session. I often wonder how much was actually removed and if that played a role in the school getting mothballed. I also wonder if I was ever exposed to asbestos as a kid.
Here is video I took today of the schools final take down….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40XwPN8LYM4&feature=channel_video_title
Here’s a vid of the last blow bringing the old girl down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40XwPN8LYM4&feature=channel_video_title
What a shame we will never again enjoy the architecture of these old buildings too bad they were not worth preserving. Modern buildings lack the ghosts and character.
very sad, I attended from SK to Grade 8 in 1978. I wished they could have saved some of it.
http://www.canadiandukes.com/opc_adac02.jpg
i went to school here for kindergarten and i think grade 1 then my mother put me in St Joseph’s on jos janisse
I went to ADA C. Richards a long time ago… I miss the school. I had miss Dunlop for a teacher too. My mom and uncles went to the school also… My sisters Lisa & Allison Bergoine went to the school too.
I went there from kindergarten 1952 to gr. 3 then from grades 6-8. Part of my heart went down when that school was torn down. Too bad it was left derelict….it could have been renovated for housing/apt.??
I went to St.Joseph school on Jos janisse in the 1955-1959.Does anybody know
what year the school was built, and when did they take it down, would love to
see any pic’s of the old school.Sister St. Urbain, Madame Villemere,Madame
Seguin, were some of my teachers.Visited Windsor June 15th of this year and was
able to see everything from house to church, george ave park, but no school.
Sad. I went there from 1959 to 1967. I was in Windsor on the weekend and met with my three accelerated friends,Diane Kathy and Donna. We went through the school together and then onto Herman. I drove by and saw the blank lot that has been left.
Who remembers Miss Stanton and her annual presentation of “Safety First”. MY dad took care of her when she developed Alzheimers and was in HUron Lodge. Too bad the RIM founders couldnt have saved. Yes Bassilios and Lazaritus went to ACR as well as Herman.
OUr Centennial movie we made in grade 8 of Pontiacs rebellion was recently salvaged. Can you believe we canoed on Lake St Clair without life jackets!!!
I remember Miss Stanton. She was my third grade teacher. I went to ACR from K-6. Then moved to California after 6th grade in 1962. Miss Monroe was the 6/7 the grade. Mr. Toewes my 5th. Miss Patterson my 2nd. Miss O,Neil my 1st. Mrs McAurther? k. Sure had great education from these teachers compared to what the schools were in the U.S. Oh and Mr. Whitney was the principal.
my favorite teachers were mr.noble and mr.thompson
Hello, I am still looking for any info. on St. joseph school which was on Jos. Janice Ave.
Does anyone know when they took it down, can’t find any info.on the school, it’s like it never existed. I went there in the 1955-1959. Please send me an email if you have any info.
Thanks
So sad to see ACR demolished – happy though I had the opportunity to see it again before its demise! Brother and I were students there in the thirties – yes, many, many moons ago! The area has changed so drastically since my youth – unfortunately, not for the better.
memories,yes i was also there in 1967 Cathys class, forgot about the centennial movie on the St Clair lake, but also remembered the train trip to Toronto. hard to look at the school ground and no school. my mother also went there may that why we ended up in that neighbour hood
I attended St. joseph on Jos Janice 1955-1959,does anybody have any info. on when the school was destroyed or any pictures.Can’t find any info on the internet. Would love to have any info available.