Historic Sites of Manitoba: Fort Rouge School (River Avenue, Winnipeg)

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

In the late 1880s, as Winnipeg’s population spilled across the Assiniboine River into the neighourhood of Fort Rouge, the need for a school became dire. In 1890, the Winnipeg School Board purchased land on River Avenue, bounded between Mayfair and Main streets, for a new school building. Designed by architect Walter Chesterton and constructed by contractor John A. Gervin between 1890 and 1891, the two-storey, four-classroom brick structure that became Fort Rouge School was situated intentionally at one side of the property to allow space for expansion as the need arose. This expansion was never needed. The school first opened to students on 5 October 1891, with three of four classrooms immediately filled to capacity. A fourth classroom was opened soon after. Completed at a cost of $10,800, the structure was heated by wood-fueled furnaces until its eventual demolition.

The original school served the community until November 1953, when a new building was erected nearby, and the old structure was demolished in August 1954. An air-tight lead container found in its cornerstone contained coins, newspapers, and other materials from 1891. Built by the L. J. Gardiner Construction Company Limited at a cost of around $43,000, the new four-classroom school was constructed over some 60 days during the summer and fall of 1953. A cornerstone laying ceremony was held on 15 September 1953, with Ward 1 Trustee Peter D. Curry conducting the honours, in the presence of Mrs. Curry, Trustee C. H. Malcolm, Commissioner of Works and Buildings W. A. Martin, Winnipeg School Board Chairman A. N. Robertson, and contractor L. J. Gardiner. The new school was opened officially on 12 March 1954.

Among its noteworthy alumni were Stuart Garson and Ewart H. Morgan.

Principals

Period

Principal

1891-1900

Mary Blossom Harris Smith (1868-1950)

1900-1901

Clara Groves Walsh Gould (1872-1944)

1901-1902

Jessie McEwan (1868-?)

1902-1910

Mary Christie (c1850-1922)

1911-1930

Carrie Maud Yuill (1877-1938)

1930-1931

Elizabeth “Bessie” Lawrie (1889-1966)

1931-1935

Annie Cheyne Dickie (1887-1940)

1935-1940

Annie R. Gall (1892-1957)

1940-1946

Elizabeth Hick (1886-1959)

1946-1949

Jennie Johnson (1889-1980)

1949-1953

Jean Margaret Cameron (1905-1984)

1953-1954

Herbert Milton Bell (1903-1977)

1954-1958

Rachel Margaret “Rae” Scott (1906-2000)

1958-1961

Grace Elizabeth Menzies (1907-2003)

1961-1971

Jean Margaret Cameron (1905-1984)

1971-1980

Dorothy Marie Slaughter (1920-2004)

1980-1984

Keith Beard (c1927-2009)

1984-1990

W. Gary Lally

1990-1995

Barbara Alice “Barb” Sarson (1931-2020)

1995-1998

Robert Stefaniuk

1998-2002

Robert Llewellyn “Bob” Davies (1947-2023)

2002-2013

Leslie Maxwell-Joseph

2013-2018

Terri Rodrigues-Warner

2018-?

Stacie Edgar

Teachers

School Year

Teachers

1891-1892

Miss Halliday, Miss M. B. Harris, Miss Somerset

1892-1893

Miss Dingle (grade 3 & 4), Miss M. B. Harris (grade 1 & 2), M. F. McDonald (grade 5 & 6), Miss Talbot (grade 6 & 7)

1893-1894

Miss Dingle, Miss M. B. Harris, Miss M. McDonald, Miss Talbot

1894-1895

?

1895-1896

Miss M. B. Harris, Miss E. Holiday, Miss McVicar, Miss Sutherland

1896-1897

?

1897-1898

Miss M. B. Harris, Miss Holiday, Miss Sutherland, Alice Elvira Talbot

1898-1899

Miss M. B. Harris, Miss E. Holiday, Miss E. A. Sutherland, Alice Elvira Talbot

1899-1900

Miss E. A. Holiday, Miss Sutherland, Miss Walsh

1900-1901

Miss E. Holiday, Miss B. Mabee, Miss E. A. Sutherland

1901-1902

Miss B. Mabee, Jessie McEwan, Miss E. A. Sutherland

1902-1903

Miss B. Mabee, Jessie McEwan, Miss E. A. Sutherland

1903-1904

Miss Mabee, Mabel Lugo Newton, Miss Shore

1904-1905

Miss M. Dulmadge, Miss M. Mitchell, Miss Yuill

1905-1906

Miss M. Z. Dulmadge, Miss M. Mitchell, Miss C. Yuill

1906-1907

?

1907-1908

Miss N. Bell, Miss L. McKnight, Miss C. Yuill

1908-1909

Miss L. H. McKnight, Miss E. Bell, Miss C. Yuill

1909-1910

?

1910-1911

Miss E. Bell, Miss Isabel McArthur, Miss L. H. McKnight, Miss C. M. Yuill

1911-1912

Miss E. Bell, Miss I. McArthur, Miss H. Nicholson

1912-1913

Miss E. Bell, Miss E. McPherson, Miss H. Nicholson

1913-1914

Miss E. Bell, Miss E. Felloon, Miss E. McPherson

1914-1915

Miss E. Bell, Miss E. Falloon, Miss E. MacPherson

1915-1916

M. Crease, E. Falloon, E. McPherson

1916-1917

M. Crease, E. Falloon, E. McPherson

1917-1918

M. Crease, D. Dafoe, E. Falloon

1918-1919

E. Peckham, B. Perkins, C. K. Smith

1919-1920

E. Peckham, B. Perkins, C. K. Smith

1920-1921

?

1921-1922

Elizabeth Hick, M. M. Stewart, A. M. Wilson

1922-1923

J. Cameron, V. G. Cramm, Elizabeth Hick

1923-1924

J. Cameron, V. G. Cramm, Elizabeth Hick

1924-1925

V. G. Cramm, Elizabeth Hick, Jean Turnbull

1925-1926

V. G. Cramm, Elizabeth Hick, Jean Turnbull

1926-1927

Elizabeth Hick, Jean Turnbull, Verna Vaux

1927-1928

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, Jean Turnbull

1928-1929

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane

1929-1930

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1930-1931

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1931-1932

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1932-1933

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1933-1934

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1934-1935

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1935-1936

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1936-1937

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1937-1938

M. Crawford, Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane

1938-1939

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1939-1940

Elizabeth Hick, Dorothy E. Lane, E. Miller

1940-1941

Dorothy E. Lane, M. E. McIntyre

1941-1942

Dorothy E. Lane, M. E. McIntyre, L. R. Worthington

1942-1943

B. Hendrickson, M. McIntyre, L. Worthington

1943-1944

B. Henrickson, L. Worthington

1944-1945

A. Graham, B. Henrickson, L. Worthington

1945-1946

M. Corbett, M. Graham, L. Worthington

1946-1947

I. Dawson, M. Graham, M. E McLeod

1947-1948

H. M. Cook, I. Dawson, M. E. McLeod

1948-1949

Miss H. M. Cook, Mrs. I. Horn, Miss M. E. McLeod

1949-1950

Mrs. E. P. Fillingham, Miss M. E. McLeod, Miss G. Zrudlo

1950-1951

Miss E. M. Arnott, Mrs. W. F?hrs, Miss M. E. McLeod

1951-1952

Mrs. H. Bowman, Miss D. L. Henry, Miss M. E. McLeod

1952-1953

Mrs. H. Bowman, Mrs. D. Roffey, J. D. Smith

1953-1954

Mrs. H. Bowman, H. C. Harper, Mrs. E. Wilson

1954-1955

Mrs. H. Bowman, Miss B. M. Wiggins, Mrs. E. Wilson

1955-1956

Mrs. H. Bowman, Miss B. Wiggins, Mrs. E. Wilson

1956-1957

Mrs. I. Bowman, Miss B. Wiggins, Mrs. E. Wilson

1957-1958

Mrs. H. Bowman, Mrs. E. Keith, Mrs. F. Rowland, Miss B. Wiggins, Miss H. Wilkes, Mrs. E. Wilson

1958-1959

Mrs. H. Bowman, I. Hamilton, Mrs. E. Keith, Mrs. N. McMay, Mrs. F. Rowland, Miss B. Wiggins, Miss H. Wilkes, Mrs. E. Wilson

1959-1960

Mrs. H. Bowman, I. Hamilton, Miss D. Hughes, Miss A. Laurin, Mrs. N. McKay, Mrs. F. Rowland, Mrs. G. Smith, Miss H. Wilkes

1960-1961

Mrs. H. Bowman, I. Hamilton, Mrs. N. McKay, Miss R. Reid, Mrs F. Rowland, Miss H. Wilkes

1961-1962

I. Hamilton, Miss K. Kopetsky, Mrs. N. McKay, Mrs. M. Hardin, Mrs. A. Seraphin, Miss H. Wilkes

1962-1963

?

1963-1964

Mrs. S Bloomquist, I. Hamilton, Miss R. McMillan, Mrs. D. Matheson, Mrs. G. Matiation, Mrs. I. Peters, Mrs. A. Seraphin, Miss H. Wilkes

1964-1965

Mrs. S Bloomquist, I. Hamilton, Mrs. N. Costin, Mrs. P. Howden, Mrs. D. Matheson, Mrs. A. Seraphin, Miss H. Wilkes

1965-1966

Mrs. S Bloomquist, I. Hamilton, Miss A. Picard, Mrs. A. Seraphin, Mrs. A. Sucharov, Miss H. Wilkes

1966-1967

Mrs. S Bloomquist, I. Hamilton, Mrs. M. Kendall, Mrs. S. Letandre, Miss A. Picard, Mrs. A. Seraphin, Miss H. Wilkes

1967-1968

W. Appleyard, Mrs. J. Huston, Miss B. McLeod, Mrs. L. Mireau, Miss A. Picard, Mrs. W. Varga

1968-1969

R. Baker, Miss C. Hoffman, Mrs. N. McKay, Miss A. Picard, Miss M. Smith, Mrs. W. Varga, Miss J. Walkinshaw

1969-1970

?

1970-1971

?

1971-1972

?

1972-1973

?

1973-1974

?

1974-1975

?

1975-1976

?

1976-1977

?

1977-1978

Mrs. Ardythe McMaster (music), ?

Photos & Coordinates

Fort Rouge School No. 1

Fort Rouge School No. 1 (1900)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Schools - Fort Rouge #1, N13125.

Fort Rouge School

Fort Rouge School (no date)
Source: Winnipeg School Division

Fort Rouge School

Fort Rouge School (no date)
Source: Winnipeg School Division

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88392, W97.13373
denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

“Fort Rouge School,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 6 October 1891, page 6.

“A new school,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 1 September 1898, page 5.

“Opening of city schools,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 2 September 1899, page 4.

“Assignment of teachers,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 1 September 1900, page 1.

“Holidays end Tuesday next,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 31 August 1901, page 10.

“The staff of city teachers,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 1 September 1902, page 3.

“City schools re-open Monday,” Manitoba Free Press, 29 August 1903.

“City schools open to-morrow,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 31 August 1904, page 3.

“Assignment of Winnipeg teachers,” Manitoba Free Press, 2 September 1905.

“Changes in city schools,” Manitoba Free Press, 31 August 1907.

“Re-opening of schools,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 August 1908, page 1.

“Teachers named for all schools,” Winnipeg Tribune, 3 September 1910, page 3.

“Assignment of teachers for Winnipeg Schools which open on Sept. 15,” Winnipeg Tribune, 1 September 1911, page 9.

“City schools staff assembling in Sept.,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 August 1912, page 8.

“Opening of the Winnipeg public schools has been set for Monday next,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 August 1913, pages 1 and 2.

“Here’s your teacher!” Winnipeg Tribune, 21 August 1914, page 6.

“School Board assigns teachers,” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 August 1915, page 9.

“Reduce staff of teachers at high schools Monday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 August 1916, pages 1 & 12.

“Boundaries of schools are named,” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 24 August 1917, page 9.

“Complete plans to open schools Tuesday for 30,000 children,” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 30 August 1918, page 14.

“Teachers are selected for various grades,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 August 1919, page 3.

Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.

“Winnipeg schools, No. 9—Fort Rouge,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 October 1922, page 7.

“Oil lamps, water pails only a memory at Fort Rouge” by Claire Tisdale, Winnipeg Free Press, 25 January 1949.

Winnipeg School Days, 1871-1950 by W. G. Pearce, Winnipeg School Division, Education Resource Centre.

“4-room school in Fort Rouge cost $43,000,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 August 1953, page 3.

“He may be last of the sod-busters,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 September 1953, page 9.

“[Photo caption],” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 September 1953, page 3.

“Trustees to ponder probe of efficiency,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 March 1953, page 3.

“Fort Rouge reunion,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 March 1954, page 8.

“The old and the new,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 March 1954, page 3.

“Tender for demolition of a school building,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 March 1954, page 37.

“News from the past,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 September 1954, page 32.

“20 school board appointments made,” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 May 1971, page 3.

“All present,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 June 1989, page 4.

Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 by Robert G. Hill, Toronto.

Winnipeg School Division: Celebrating One Hundred Fifty Years, 1871-2021 by Winnipeg School Division, 2021.

We thank the Winnipeg School Division and Ardythe McMaster for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 21 March 2024

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