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Historic Sites of Manitoba: McLaren School (1031 Sixth Street, Brandon)

Link to:
Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

In 1916, a three-classroom, wood frame school building was constructed between Second and Third streets and Brandon Avenue in Brandon, the present location of George Fitton School. Named for former teacher and First World War veteran Joseph McLaren, the school operated until 1926 when the present two-storey brick structure was built on Sixth Street. The wood frame building was moved to the Brandon Exhibition Grounds where it stood for some years with only a few structural changes.

McLaren School was used for elementary classes until 1954, when it was became a Junior High School due to the construction of George Fitton School. In 1974, it reverted temporarily to an elementary school when Park School and Alexandra School were being replaced by Betty Gibson School. The school closed permanently in 1976 and the building was renovated for use as offices of the Brandon School Division.

Principals

Period

Principal

1916-1920

?

1921-1922

Miss Jean Welwood

1923-1924

William N. Stewart

1925-1926

Miss Emma Lewis

1927-1929

Perry Bell (1897-1956)

1929-1931

Vernon Albert Shewfelt (1903-1982)

1931-1935

William John Peden (1903-1991)

1935-1942

Henry Theodore Nordin (1905-1983)

1942-1946

James Irving Bateman (1911-2000)

1946-1947

John James “Jack” Hill (1916-1977)

1947-1954

Joseph “Joe” Federick (1910-1979)

1954-1956

Carl Bjarnason (1915-2014)

1956-1959

Morley Fraser Sparrow (1916-1979)

1959-1967

?

1967-1968

Mr. E. Nolan

1968-1976

?

Teachers (partial list)

School Year

Teachers

1930-1931

Ella M. Burkholder, Margaret Creighton, Dorothy Horton, Isabella Semple, Margaret Thompson

1931-1932

Ella Burkholder, Margaret Creighton, Dorothy Horton, Lilian E. Popkin, Margaret Thompson

1932-1933

Ella Burkholder, Dorothy Horton, Lilian Popkin, Margaret Thompson

1933-1934

?

1934-1935

Miss Ella M. Burkholder, Miss Kathleen McKenzie, Miss Ethel P. Miller, Miss Margaret Thompson

1935-1936

Miss Ella M. Burkholder, Miss Dorothy E. Horton, Miss Alma Skeoch, Miss Margaret E. Thompson

1936-1937

Ella M. Burkholder, Dorothy E. Horton, Margaret E. Thompson, Grace Webb

1937-1938

Miss Dorothy Horton, Miss E. M. Patmore, Miss Margaret Thompson, Miss Grace Webb

1938-1939

Miss Dorothy Horton, Miss Elizabeth Patmore, Miss Grace Webb

1939-1940

Miss Gwen Boyes, Miss Elizabeth Patmore, Miss Grace Webb

1940-1941

Miss Betty Patmore, Miss Lilian Popkin, Mrs. Thelma Rice

1941-1942

Helen Bjarnason, Lilian Popkin, Thelma Rice

1942-1943

Miss Helen Bjarnason, Miss Clementine Fraser, Miss Lillian Popkin, Mrs. Thelma Rice

1943-1944

Helen Bjarnason, Lilian Popkin, Thelma Rice, Gladys L. Thompson

1944-1967

?

1967-1968

Miss J. Dyer (grade 7), Mrs. P. Elvers (grade 3), Mrs. E. Gouldie (grade 7), Mrs. M. Kotyk (grade 8), Mr. D. Kusela (grade 7), Mrs. L. Leskiw (grade 2), Mr. W. P. Metelski (special), Mr. E. Nolan (grade 8), Miss B. Nordin, Mrs. H. Orr (grade 8), Mrs. S. Palidwar (grade 1), Miss D. Russell (grade 7), Mrs. F. Snider (kindergarten)

Photos & Maps

McLaren School

McLaren School (no date)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs,
GR8461, A0233, C131-3, page 134.

The former McLaren School building

The former McLaren School building (May 2013)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site Location (lat/long): N49.83401, W99.94573
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Joseph McLaren (1882-1915)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: George Fitton School (1129 Third Street, Brandon)

Sources:

“List of teachers public school,” Brandon Daily Sun, 1 September 1930.

“All schools to open Monday for fall term here,” Brandon Daily Sun, 27 August 1931.

“One addition only to city schools staff,” Brandon Daily Sun, 30 August 1932.

“Some changes on teaching staff of public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1934.

“Schools to open Tuesday for fall term in city,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1935.

“Few changes in teaching staff as all schools in city open Monday morning,” Brandon Daily Sun, 29 August 1936.

“Five new teachers on staff of Brandon schools for fall term commencing next week,” Brandon Daily Sun, 27 August 1937.

“Teaching staff public school,” Brandon Daily Sun, 30 August 1938.

“Schools staff public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 2 September 1939.

“Seven changes on teaching staff of the public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 28 September 1940.

“Important changes made in teaching staff for opening schools here Tuesday,” Brandon Daily Sun, 27 August 1941.

“Elementary and junior high schools open tomorrow for fall term after long holidays,” Brandon Daily Sun, 26 August 1942.

“Eleven new teachers on staff as schools prepare to open for fall term commencing Monday,” Brandon Daily Sun, 28 August 1943.

Brandon Elementary Schools, 1867-1979, Canada-Confederation, Brandon School Division, 1967.

A Study of Public School Buildings in Manitoba by David Butterfield, Historic Resources Branch, Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, 1994, 230 pages.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 23 September 2018

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