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The two-storey brick and stone Earl Oxford School, at the intersection of Eighteenth Street and Victoria Avenue in Brandon, was designed by local architect Walter Henderson Shillinglaw. It was constructed of Fort William red brick and masonry and built by day labourers, with structural work completed by the end of 1928, although finishing work on the interior persisted into 1929. The school featured eight classrooms, of which six were used on opening, along with a nurse’s room, principal’s office, and library. The basement contained office space and gymnasium with durolothic floor, the latter of which delayed the school’s opening due to cold temperatures affecting its installation and setting. For the first part of the 1928-1929 school year, classes were held at Fleming School, Park School, and New Central School. The junior high school opened its doors to students in grades 7-9 on 11 February. An official opening ceremony was held on 5 March 1929.
A two-storey addition on the school's north side was designed by the Winnipeg architectural firm of Smith Carter and Katelnikoff and constructed in 1956.
Period
Principal
1928-1941
John Hammond Irwin (1886-1952)
1941-1942
Gabriel Richard Rowe (1897-1968)
1942-1948
John Hammond Irwin (1886-1952)
1948-1964
Gabriel Richard Rowe (1897-1968)
1964-1966
George Montgomery “Monty” Dunbar (c1928-2001)
1966-1983
Peter J. Caryk (1931-1991)
1983-1988
?
1988-?
Bob Thompson
Period
Vice-Principal
1960-1961
Mrs. E. Richardson
1961-1963
Mrs. M. Simmons
1963-1964
William Beddome “Bill” Bridgett (1928-1999)
1964-1965
Mrs. M. I. Harper
1965-1966
?
1966-1967
Mrs. E. J. Grant
Mrs. M. I. Harper
School Year
Teachers
1928-1929
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Miss Marguerite Doyle, Miss Elsie Fisher, Edith Victoria Insley, John Hammond Irwin, Miss E. Irene Winn
1929-1930
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, ?
1930-1931
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Marguerite McDole, Jean Ross, Alexandrina Walker, Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1931-1932
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Marguerite McDole, Jean Ross, Melva Todd, Alexandrina Walker, Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1932-1933
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Marguerite McDole, Jean Ross, Melva Todd, Alexandrina Walker, Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1933-1934
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, ?
1934-1935
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Miss Winnifred Morrison, Miss Jean Ross, Miss Melva Todd, Miss Alexandrina Walker, Miss Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1935-1936
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Henry Frederick Hyson, Miss Winnifred Morrison, Miss Jean Ross, Miss Melva Todd, Miss Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1936-1937
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Marjorie Fitton, Roy Bernard Lobb, Jean Ross, Melva Todd, Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1937-1938
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Miss Marjorie Fitton, Henry Frederick Hyson, Miss Jean Ross, Miss Melva Todd, Miss Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1938-1939
Miss Blodwen Bowen (England), Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Miss Majorie Fitton, Henry Frederick Hyson, Miss Melva Todd, Miss Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1939-1940
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Miss Marjorie Fitton, Henry Frederick Hyson, Miss Melva Todd, Miss Florence Wilson, Miss E. Irene Winn
1940-1941
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Miss Marjorie Fitton, F. Goodwin, Henry Frederick Hyson, Miss Kathleen King, Miss E. Irene Winn
1941-1942
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Marion Delmage, Marjorie Fitton, Miss Kathleen King, Edith Ward, Miss E. Irene Winn, Edythe Wood
1942-1943
Miss Margaret Crosbie, Miss Marion Delmage, Joseph Federick, Miss Edith Ward, Miss E. Irene Winn, Edythe Wood
1943-1944
Jean Chapman, Miss Margaret Crosbie, Olive House, Henry Frederick Hyson, Edith Ward, Miss E. Irene Winn
1944-1945
?
1945-1946
?
1946-1947
?
1947-1948
?
1948-1949
?
1949-1950
?
1950-1951
?
1951-1952
?
1952-1953
?
1953-1954
?
1954-1955
?
1955-1956
?
1956-1957
?
1957-1958
1958-1959
Morris Bohonos (grade 7), Peter J. Caryk (grade 7), Robert John Coates (grade 8), O. Funk (grade 8), Archibald George Hickling (grade 9), B. Kirkpatrick (grade 7), Mrs. M. Kotyk (grade 8), Miss M. Makinson (grade 6), Mrs. M. Mann (grade 8), Mrs. W. E. Moore (grade 5), J. Oliver (grade 8), Gabriel Richard Rowe (grade 9), T. M. Sherloski (grade 7), Mrs. M. Simmons (grade 7), Mrs. E. Spence (grade 6), Miss E. Ward (grade 7), Mrs. R. Wilken (grade 9), Miss E. Winn (grade 9), Mrs. J. Wyton (grade 4)
1959-1960
Morris Bohonos, Peter J. Caryk, Robert John Coates, O. Funk, Mrs. H. Hanlin, Archibald George Hickling, Mrs. E. Hyde, Mrs. W. Kowalchuk, Miss M. Makinson, Mrs. M. Mann, Miss L. Moore, T. Sherloski, Mrs. M. Simmons, Mrs. G. Slawson, Miss E. Ward, Mrs. R. Wilken, Miss I. Winn
1960-1961
Mrs. J. Allan (grade 8), Morris Bohonos (grade 8), Mrs. C. Brown (grade 3), William Brown (grade 6), Miss M. Collins (grade 1), Miss M. Dauk (grade 2), Mrs. M. Kotyk (grade 8), Miss M. Makinson (grade 6), Mrs. M. Mann (grade 8), D. McLennan (grade 8), E. Nolan (grade 7), Mrs. K. Reynolds (Grade 7), Mrs. E. Richardson (grade 4), Gabriel Richard Rowe (grade 8), H. Schroeder (grade 7), Mrs. M. Simmons (grade 8), Miss M. Stevens (grade 7), Miss E. Walker (grade 5), Miss E. Ward (grade 7)
1961-1962
Miss R. Babcock (grade 4), Morris Bohonos (grade 8), Mrs. C. Brown (grade 3), Mrs. M. Burns (grade 2), Miss M. Collins (grade 1), J. Easter (grade 7), Mrs. A. Haggarty (grade 5), Mrs. M. Kotyk (grade 8), Miss M. Makinson (grade 7), E. Nolan (grade 8), Miss D. Pearce (grade 7), Miss J. Pickard (grade 6), Mrs. K. Reynolds (grade 8), Gabriel Richard Rowe (grade 8), H. Schroeder (grade 7), Miss M. Stevens (grade 8), Miss E. Walker (grade 4), Miss J. Walton (grade 7), Miss E. Ward (grade 7)
1962-1963
Mrs. E. Barnes (grade 6), Morris Bohonos (grade 8), W. Bridgett (grade 8), Mrs. C. Brown (grade 4), Mrs. M. Burns (grade 2), Miss M. Collins (grade 1), H. Engbrecht (grade 6), Mrs. L. Glenn (grade 7), Mrs. A. Haggerty (grade 5), Mrs. K. Reynolds (grade 8), Gabriel Richard Rowe (grade 8), H. Schroeder (grade 7), Miss M. Stevens (grade 8), Mrs. F. Stevenson (grade 7), Miss S. Sul (grade 3), F. Szturm (grade 7), Mrs. G. Taylor (grade 3), Mrs. M. Taylor (grade 7), Miss E. Ward (grade 7)
1963-1964
Mrs. E. I. Barnes, Morris Bohonos, Miss J. F. Chrusciel, Miss M. Collins, Miss L. J. Donald, C. S. Farnell, Mrs. L. E. Glenn, Mrs. M. Gregory, J. H. McAuley, Miss C. F. McRoberts, Miss L. E. Moore, Mrs. S. K. Reynolds, H. C. Schroeder, Mrs. V. A. Sparks, Mrs. L. R. Sutherland, F. S. Szturm, Mrs. M. Taylor, Miss E. Ward, Mrs. R. Wilken
1964-1965
Mrs. E. I. Barnes, Miss P. L. Brandt, Miss J. F. Chrusciel, Miss M. Collins, Mrs. L. A. Dechka, Mrs. M. R. Gregory, Mrs. J. A. Kostynuik, J. H. McAuley, Mrs. E. M. McKenzie, E. P. Misanchuk, Miss L. E. Moore, Mrs. L. R. Sutherland, F. S. Szturm, B. B. Tannahill, Miss S. M. Traford, Mrs. G. M. Van Buskirk, Miss E. Ward, R. R. Wilken
1965-1966
Mrs. E. I. Barnes, Miss M. Collins, Mrs. L. A. Dechka, Mrs. S. M. Figol, Mrs. M. R. Gregory, Mrs. H. I. Harper, Mrs. S. M. Kennedy, Mrs. J. D. Kitz, Mrs. J. M. Kostyniuk, J. H. McAuley, Mrs. E. M. McKenzie, E. P. Misanchuk, E. Nolan, Miss L. L. Ramsey, Mrs. L. R. Sutherland, F. S. Szturm, B. B. Tannahill, Miss B. L. Thompson, Mrs. J. M. Van Buskirk
1966-1967
Mrs. E. I. Barnes (grade 6), Mrs. L. Bedford (grade 1), Peter J. Caryk (grade 8), Mrs. L. A. Dechka (grade 7), Lawrence A. Dyrkacz (grade 8), Mrs. S. M. Figol (grade 2), Mrs. E. J. Grant (grade 8), Mrs. M. R. Gregory (grade 8), Mrs. M. M. Johnston (grade 5), Mrs. S. M. Kennedy (grade 7), Mrs. J. K. Kitz (grade special classes), J. H. McAuley (special classes), Miss S. L. McDonald (grade 4), Mrs. E. M. McKenzie (grade 8), E. P. Misanchuk (special classes), Miss L. L. Ramsey (grade 3), Mrs. L. R. Sutherland (grade 7), Bryce B. Tannahill (grade 7)
1967-1968
F. Andrews, Mrs. E. I. Barnes (grade 6), Mrs. L. Bedford (grade 1), Peter J. Caryk (grade 8), Mrs. L. A. Dechka (grade 7), Lawrence A. Dyrkacz (grade 8), Mrs. S. M. Figol (grade 2), Mrs. E. J. Grant (grade 8), Mrs. M. R. Gregory (grade 8), M. Harper, Mrs. M. M. Johnston (grade 5), Mrs. S. M. Kennedy (grade 7), J. D. Kitz (grade 8), J. H. McAuley (grade 7), Miss S. L. McDonald (grade 4), Mrs. E. M. McKenzie (grade 8), E. P. Misanchuk (grade 8), Mrs. L. Paterson (grade 3), O. Reid, Mrs. P. Reid (grade 7), Mrs. L. R. Sutherland (grade 7), Bryce B. Tannahill (grade 7)
Among the other teachers of Earl Oxford School was Robert J. Coates.
Earl Oxford School (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2022-0060
Earl Oxford School (no date)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, George Harris Fonds, Acc. 1979-141, P7456, Album 4, Page 65.
Postcard view of Earl Oxford School (no date) by R. J. Snazel
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2013-0060
Earl Oxford School (October 2012)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Earl Oxford School (August 2023)
Source: Eva Janssen
Earl Oxford School (August 2023)
Source: Eva Janssen
Earl Oxford School (August 2023)
Source: Eva JanssenSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84136, W99.96242
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Smith Carter and Katelnikoff / Smith Carter Architects and Engineers / Architecture49
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Earl Haig School (First Street, Brandon)
“Classes expected to move into Earl Oxford school over week-end,” Brandon Daily Sun, 8 February 1929, page 2.
“Need only one extra teacher on city staff,” Brandon Daily Sun, 8 August 1928, page 2.
“Record attendance as fall school term opened today and accommodation limited,” Brandon Daily Sun, 4 September 1928, page 1.
“Earl Oxford School will open on Feb. 4,” Brandon Daily Sun, 25 January 1929, page 1.
“Opening of new school delayed by cold spell,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 January 1929, page 2
“Earl Oxford School official opening on Tuesday by reception,” Brandon Daily Sun, 4 March 1929, page 1.
“Official opening new Earl Oxford Junior High School,” Brandon Daily Sun, 6 March 1929, page 4.
Annual Reports of the Manitoba Department of Education, Manitoba Legislative Library.
“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.
“School tender notice [Earl Oxford School],” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 March 1956, page 18.
“Back to school Tuesday,” Brandon Sun, 29 August 1958, page 3.
“Brandon school teachers for 1959-60,” Brandon Sun, 29 August 1959, page 2.
“6,000 Brandon students go back to work on Tuesday,” Brandon Sun, 3 September 1960, page 12.
“Teachers listed for opening of schools on Tuesday,” Brandon Sun, 2 September 1961, page 12.
“Teachers are assigned to schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 28 August 1962, page 10.
“33 newcomers on elementary schools staff,” Brandon Sun, 21 August 1963, page 15.
“39 newcomers on elementary staff,” Brandon Sun, 19 August 1964, page 13.
“191 teachers placed here,” Brandon Sun, 20 August 1965, page 8.
“Over 200 elementary teachers,”Brandon Sun, 23 August 1966, page 16.
Brandon Elementary Schools, 1867-1979, Canada-Confederation, Brandon School Division, 1967.
“Board approves principals,” Brandon Sun, 30 April 1988, page 3.
A Study of Public School Buildings in Manitoba by David Butterfield, Historic Resources Branch, Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, 1994, 230 pages.
We thank Tim Dekker, Greg Sigurdson, Catherine Harley, Nathan Kramer, and Eva Janssen for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 1 February 2025
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