Historic Sites of Manitoba: West Ward School (Portage la Prairie)

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

A quaint two-storey, two-classroom brick school in Portage la Prairie was designed by Winnipeg architect George Browne and built by local contractor Thomas C. Silverthorne at a cost of $4,500. It opened in December 1894. Its function was eventually assumed by Fort la Reine School, built nearby in 1955, and the building was demolished in 1963.

Principals

Period	Principal
1951-1952	Miss Ellen V. Cook

Teachers

The other teachers of West Ward School included Mrs. Doris Byas (1951-1952).

Photos & Coordinates

West Ward School (March 1955) Source: PCI Archive, Vopni Press Collection, VP-1-00262-002. Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.97407, W98.30648 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Fort la Reine School (36 Thirteenth Street NW, Portage la Prairie)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: North Ward School (535 Third Street NW, Portage la Prairie)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Central School / Portage Normal School (Portage la Prairie)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Victoria School (32 Fifth Street SE, Portage la Prairie)

Sources:

“News of the Portage,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 December 1894, page 7.

Cummin’s Rural Directory Map for Manitoba published by the Cummins Map Company, 404 Chambers of Commerce, Winnipeg, 1923. [Copies held by Edward M. Ledohowski and Gordon Goldsborough]

“Portage lists teaching staff as school opens,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 September 1951, page 34.

A History of Portage la Prairie and Surrounding District by Anne M. Collier, 1970, pages 146-147.

We thank Nathan Kramer for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 10 February 2021

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