The Tanner School District was organized formally in February 1900 and a one-room wood frame school building was erected on the southwest quarter of 6-24-21 west of the Principal Meridian, in the Municipality of Gilbert Plains, on land donated by William Doak. The school was named for James Tanner, first Secretary-Treasurer of the school.
With growing enrollment, in 1930 a second school building was erected nearby using volunteer labour. One building held classes in grades 1 to 6, and the other held classes in grades 7 to 11. This continued until 1947 when the original school was destroyed by fire. All classes continued henceforth in the newer school building. The school district was dissolved in 1967 and the remaining students went to Brickburn Consolidated School. The “early grades” building was moved to NE30-23-21W where, as of 2013, it still stands. A brick monument at the original site commemorates the school.
Among the teachers of Tanner School was John L. Wright (1938-1940).
Tanner School for grades 1 to 6 (no date) by H. L. Albright
Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs,
GR8461, A0233, C131-2, page 47.
Tanner School for grades 7 to 11 (no date) by H. L. Albright
Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs,
GR8461, A0233, C131-2, page 47.
Tanner School commemorative monument (May 2012)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
The “early grades” Tanner School building, now at N51.01967, W100.39363 (July 2013)
Source: Alan MasonSite Coordinates (lat/long): N51.03723, W100.40756
denoted by symbol on the map above
One Hundred Years in the History of the Rural Schools of Manitoba: Their Formation, Reorganization and Dissolution (1871-1971) by Mary B. Perfect, MEd thesis, University of Manitoba, April 1978.
We thank Keven Van Camp for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Alan Mason and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 30 December 2020
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
