• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

• "'! "! ... ~ .. ~ .a 916 19~"'" saturday, July 30th, 201/ ~ia Hall, Aylmer, Ontltb Greetings Springfield Alumni from the Springfield Lioness Club Proudly serving our Springfield Community since 1981 We support: Springfield Public School Springfield Fire Department (Malahide #3) Springfield Fu n Day 9.\p Springfield Santa Claus Parade Springfield Scouting o '.. ~ Springfield Minor Ball Springfield Library .... and more! Mary H. Pearson Memorial Pathway and Garden 51137 Ron McNeil Line, Springfield (Cenotaph Park) Created in 2005 after the death of a charter and very active member of our organization, this memorial path allows area citizens to honour their departed loved ones by purchasing a · pavestone engraved with the name of the deceased individual. .~ (:x MAC & VIOLET I '­ ;:~lo HAR·RIS ·\ SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL 1922 to 1976 Like all worthwhile things, Springfield School was of humble origin. Previous to the year 1837, there was no school in the immediate vicinity, and Springfield had not been thought of. The land on the north side of what is now Main Street (Ron McNeil Line), had been granted to Colonel Munroe for military service, and after his death, his daughter sold the · whole grant at the rate of twenty-five cents an acre. Henry Gilbert purchased the hundred acre lot onthe northeast corner of the road, and in 1836, he sold it to Joel Burns. Burns seems to have been a man of vision, for in the following. year, he donated a plot of ground, back of where Kilpatrick's store (1976 - Post Offiee) now stands for school purposes, and also gave the land on which the little village cemetery is located. A small log building was erected by voluntary labour on the school plot, with one door and two windows. Rude slabs of wood formed the desks and the seats were split logs, supported by pegs driven in auger holes at the ends. The pupils faced thewall and were kept warm by a huge stove which was stoked with cord wood. This school was known as "Burns School". The first teacher was a daughter of Major Whaley, a pioneer settler who had a cooper shop near the school. Her successors were of the male persuasion, whose sole idea of education seemed based on the efficacy of a "blue beech" rod. But the little log school played its part in developing the youth of the neighbourhood, and opened the way for better things. As years passed and the population increased, the people awoke to the fact that the old log school had out-lived its usefulness and better accommodation must be provided. On the advice of the Superintendent, a piece of land was purchased on the corner of the farm owned by Mrs. James Campbell (1976 - Don Atkinson; 2009 - Emcea Transport, 2011 Noroxel Energy) and a comfortable frame building erected. The site was chosen as the most central point of the section as laid out at that time. This was known as "Udell's School", the name of the pioneer on whose farm it was located. It was a one-room building with a cottage roof, and long forms with desks reaching to the wall, on either side of a central aisle which ran from the door to the platform, on which rested the teacher's desk. With its long blackboard, and maps adorning the walls, it was considered quite palatial. The first teacher was Miss Christine Scott, later, Mrs. Butchart of Owen Sound, who was famous for her splendid management of a school in which many of the pupils were her senior by many years. This school was first used in 1853. r Among many fine teachers of those early days were John Lyons, an under graduate of Oxford University, who was known to his pupils as "Master Lyons"; John Leeson, afterward a noted physician of Michigan, and J. B. Lucas, who for so many years was clerk of the village and secretary of the fair board. Even in these remote days there was a fifth class in the school, which prepared pupils for the old third-class certificates, and graduates of the school are scattered far and wide. One of the most noted was the late Wei bern Atkin, who later became the very efficient inspector of Elgin County. With the coming of the Canadian Southern Railway, Springfield became a thriving village, and as the Udell School did not furnish adequate accommodation for the rapidly increasing school population, it was decided to build a new school in the village. There was considerable strife concerning a location. It wasa case of West versus East; but finally the East won out, and fine white brick school was built on the southeast corner of the Yoder farm. A rather strange coincidence is the fact that the new brick school was built on the opposite corner of the farm on which was located the old "Burns" school, the farm having changed· owners in the meantime. The new school was . erected at a cost of $8,000, and was rated as the . finest village school in East Elgin. It was opened after Christmas holidays in 1872, the first teachers being C. T. Burdick, who had formerly taught in the Udell School, and Miss Martha Leeson (the late Mrs. J. C. Dance). This was Springfield's first experience of a two~teacher school. The belfry was empty for several years, but later, a fine bell was purchased with the proceeds of entertainments, sponsored by Principal S. C. Woodworth. This literary society had been in existence from the days of t~e old school of '53, and was organized by J. B. Lucas . In a few years, a third teacher was added, at first for only part time. Then; when the regular continuation school was established, the fourth teacher was engaged, and later still, it was found necessary to have still another. The school was a four­ room building and consequently inadequate for the requirements of both continuation and public schools, and the next splendid structure was opened in 1922. The new school cost $46,000 and was fitted with every modern requirement for educational work. The building contractor was George Craik. The land on which it stood was formerly occupied by a dwelling, undertaker's showroom and an amusement hall. When the owner sold, and buildings were moved away, in order to prevent friction which always arises when school children are too near peoples' homes, Principal George Stewart purchased the lot and seeded it down, and for seven years the pupils had free use of it as a playground, after which, the School Board took it over. Mr. Tyler Leeson (Edna Macintyre's father) was the first chairman of the new School Board. Mr. Thomas Belmore, at the age of 71, drew all the bricks with the "Leeson" team from the station for the school. Soon after school opening, a Home and School Club was formed (1927). The aim was to foster a closer relationship between parents and teachers; and thereby giving the parents more knowledge of school activities. Books were given to the highest standing scholar of each grade; and to the room who had the most parents present, by the Home and School. The Club provided candy treats at Christmas time and picnic at the end of the school term for the students. Much talent was developed through students participating in entertainment at the meetings. As early as 1933, according to records, children were trained to take part in East Elgin Festival in St. Thomas. Sprin.gfield School Section is union section which includes No.. 2 South Dorchester; No 20 Malahide and Springfield village. The first Inspector, or Superintendant,as he was then styled, was Egerton Ryerson, afterward, Minister of Education. He was succeeded by Rev. E. E. Sheppard of Mapleton. Then followed A. F. Butler of St Thomas; Samuel McColl for a short time; Welbern Atkin, Springfield and J. C Smith of Ingersoll. Even from the early days, the people of the section have done everything in their . power to make Springfield School an honour to the community, and spared no expense to secure efficient teachers. And well have they been rewarded. Former pupils of Springfield School have occupied or are occupying honourable positions in all walks of life, not only in Canada and the United States, but in foreign lands as well. Those who have remained in the vicinity have done and are doing their bit to uphold the honour of the school and those brave pioneers who made it possible. Some of the teachers have had rather unique records, CT. Burdick was principal on three different occasions with a record of eight years to his credit. John Lyons, one of the early teachers, was in charge six years; George Stewart, twice, with twenty years; Miss \i\{innifred Winter (Mrs Fred Shively) six years; l.C Murphy, seven years, and the principal of the (1934) of the school; Miss Jennie Rutherford (the .Iate Mrs. Jennie Kennedy) seven years. Springfield school ranks first in the schools in the county, whose former pupils have returned in later years, to their Alma Mater as teachers, and with perfect success . Many won honours in defence of their country, while others sleep "In Flanders Field". , j Springfield, November 30, 1934 (The above information was obtained from a Registrar of Attendance - 1934, Home and School Minutes, and the Women's Institute "Tweedsmuir Book".) In about 1947, the Continuation School facilities in Springfield were discontinued and students were taken, by bus, to the High School in Aylmer. Many residents in Springfield felt that the Continuation School should remain in the Village, and were very unhappy with the moving of the students to Aylmer.

Load more

  20

Copy Link