Historic Sites of Manitoba: Somerset School (775 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg)

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Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

Designed by J. B. Mitchell, Somerset School was built on the vertical plan – three storeys of buff brick with an impressive entry tower and prominent matching side chimneys above large pediment gables. The school was an expensive building. Its ten rooms and assembly hall cost $40,000 to build, by local contractor D. D. Wood. The amount was deemed acceptable because of the school’s size and permanence.

Known as Nena Street School during the design phase, a 4 June 1901 meeting of the School Board approved a name commemorating J. B. Somerset, an early school superintendent in Winnipeg. Opened in January 1902, its high turret gave the building the air of a medieval fortress. It boasted a drinking “fount” in every classroom and electric lights in place of oil lamps. It served the city’s growing population around Nena (now Sherbrook) Street, mainly of Icelandic and German origins. The west-end between Ellice and Logan had a very large Icelandic population. Early teachers used readers that were German-English, Ruthenian-English, and Icelandic-English. After serving this area for over 70 years, Somerset School was closed by the Winnipeg School Board in June 1972. Designated in May 1991 as a municipal historic site, it was de-listed in June 2004 and demolished in April 2005 to make way for a pharmacy. The limestone block from its original tower with the school name carved into it is displayed at street level between the sidewalk and the drugstore parking lot.

Some noteworthy people who attended Somerset School included Paul Bardal, Wilber Boyd, Clarence Chipman, Ernest Chipman, Robert Chipman, Bert Clark, Orval Clark, Laurie Cuthbert, Hal Dodds, George Ellis, Harold Ellis, Tom Fleming, Mrs. W. Folliott, Fred Furgeson, Dorothy Garbutt, Mike Goodman, Ernest Hawkins, Ralph Henderson, Walter Henderson, Jack Irwin, Konrad Johannesson, Arthur Johnson, Basil Johnson, Edwin Johnson, Ed Kernaghan, George Lemon, Wilson McLean, Harold Middleton, Phyllis Middleton, Frank Morley, and Fred Semmons.

Principals

Period	Principal
1902-1914	Ralph Russell James Brown (1875-1917)
1914-1918	Herbert Hanford “Harry” McIntosh (1880-1953)
1918-1944	Mary Elizabeth Kelly (c1882-1970)
1944-1952	Isabel Ellis (1892-1985)
1952-1956	George Melvin Newfield (1904-1977)
1956-1961	Neil Murray McIvor (1906-1970)
1961-1966	Michael John Mazur (1913-2011)
1966-1970	John Arthur Buchanan (1913-1999)
1970-1972	William Paul Solypa (1930-2017)

Teachers

School Year	Teachers
1902	M. Manson, Miss Annie Milne, Sadie Sharpe, E. Sheppard, E. Thornton
1902-1903	Miss Grace Brooking, Minnabell A. Dowler, Miss Frances Harper, Miss K. Horn, Miss M. Manson, Miss Annie Milne, Miss H. Monteith, Miss E. Thornton
1903-1904	Miss Brooking, Minnabell A. Dowler, Miss Green, Miss Hanson, Miss K. Horn, Miss Helen Monteith, Miss O’Donnell, Miss Philip, Miss M. Scott, Miss E. Thornton
1904-1905	Miss G. Brooking, Minnabell A. Dowler, Miss E. Green, Miss Kirkwood, Miss M. E. Manson, Miss E. W. Mills, Miss H. Monteith, Miss E. O’Connell, Miss Philip
1905-1906	Miss G. Brooking, Miss F. Campbell, Miss Eva E. Green, Miss W. Hilton, Miss M. Kirkwood, Miss Minnie Manson, Miss L. Miller, Miss E. M. Philip, Miss J. Ross, Miss L. White
1906-1907	Elizabeth Rutherford, ?
1907-1908	Miss Ethel Campbell, Miss E. Greene, Miss W. Hilton, Miss J. Lyon, Miss M. E. Manson, Miss M. McDougall, Miss E. G. McLean, Miss L. Miller, Miss E. Palk
1908-1909	Miss E. Campbell, Miss G. Emslie, Miss W. Hilton, Miss M. Kirkwood, Miss J. K. Lyons, Miss Pauline Macdonnell, Miss M. E. Manson, Miss A. McDougal, Miss E. McLean, Miss E. Palk
1909-1910	?
1910-1911	Miss M. Manson, Miss A. F. McDougall, Miss E. G. McLean, Miss A. G. Campbell, Miss M. J. Stimson, Miss J. M. Lyons, Miss E. Palk, Miss E. Stephenson, Miss W. Hilton, Miss G. Parker
1911-1912	Miss A. G. Campbell, Miss E. Craig, Miss W. Hilton, Mary E. Kelly, Miss J. Lyons, Miss A. F. McDougall, Miss E. G. McLean, Miss G. Parker, Miss M. Stinson, Miss M. E. Turner, Miss E. Stephenson
1912-1913	Miss Craig, Miss S. Gordon, Miss Hilton, Mary E. Kelly, Miss McDougall, Miss McLean, Miss E. G. McLean, Miss Parker, Miss Stinson, Miss Stephenson
1913-1914	Miss K. Bridgen, Miss S. Buckley, Miss E. Craig, Miss S. Gordon, Mary E. Kelly, Miss A. McDougall, Miss M. Parker, Miss M. Stinson, Miss A. Leona Williams
1914-1915	Miss E. Buckley, Miss E. B. Craig, Miss C. Dunfield, Miss Mary C. Dunbrack, Miss S. Gordon, Mary E. Kelly, Miss M. G. Parker, Miss B. M. Stevenson, Miss M. Stinson, Miss A. L. Williams
1915-1916	E. A. Buckley, C. Dunfield, N. B. Garwood, S. Gordon, R. Hill, Mary E. Kelly, E. McIntosh, G. Parker, J. Sanders, M. Stevenson, L. Williams
1916-1917	N. M. Dickson, C. M. Dunfield, N. B. Garwood, S. Gordon, Mary E. Kelly, E. E. Richardson, M. Richardson, J. M. Sanders, B. M. Stevenson, A. L. Williams
1917-1918	N. M. Dickson, C. M. Dunfield, N. B. Garwood, S. Gordon, M. A. Gray, Mary E. Kelly, E. E. Richardson, M. Richardson, J. M. Sanders, B. M. Stevenson
1918-1919	N. M. Dickson, C. M. Dunfield, N. B. Garwood, S. Gordon, M. A. Gray, A. Judge, B. Larson, I. G. McLeod, J. M. Sanders, I. B. Whipple
1919-1920	N. M. Dickson, M. Disney, C. M. Dunfield, R. Gagnon, L. Garwood, N. B. Garwood, S. Gordon, M. A. Gray, A. Judge, B. Larson, I. G. McLeod
1920-1921	?
1921-1922	N. M. Dickson, M. Disney, L. Garwood, M. A. Gray, E. R. Knox, B. Larson, I. G. McLeod, M. E. McLeod, M. Richley, Louise V. Staples
1922-1923	C. M. Borrill, N. M. Dickson, M. Disney, L. Garwood, M. A. Gray, B. M. Larson, I. G. McLeod, M. Richley, M. Schooley, L. Shector, Louise V. Staples
1923-1924	N. M. Dickson, M. Disney, M. Forhan, M. A. Gray, L. Garwood, B. M. Larson, P. Leslie, P. Paterson, L. E. Shector, Louise V. Staples
1924-1925	R. M. Connelly, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, N. M. Dickson, M. C. Forhan, L. Garwood, M. A. Gray, P. Patterson, Louise V. Staples
1925-1926	R. M. Connelly, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, N. M. Dickson, M. C. Forhan, B. M. Larson, P. Patterson, L. E. Shector, Louise V. Staples, R. Walpole
1926-1927	V. Bailey, R. M. Connelly, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, N. M. Dickson, B. M. Larson, E. Mott, Louise V. Staples, C. Thornber
1927-1928	C. O. Boyd, R. M. Connelly, C. B. Cross, H. M. Dickson, M. Disney, B. M. Larson, E. Mott, Louise V. Staples, A. Sullivan, M. Vant
1928-1929	C. O. Boyd, R. M. Connelly, A. Cross, C. B. Cross, N. M. Dickson, M. Disney, B. M. Larson, Charlotte Mass, E. W. G. Mott, M. Vant
1929-1930	C. O. Boyd, R. M. Connelly, A. Cross, C. B. Cross, N. M. Dickson, M. Disney, A. Finch, Charlotte Mass, E. W. G. Mott, E. J. Sullivan
1930-1931	C. O. Boyd, A. Cross, C. B. Cross, M. Dickson, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Johanneson, L. M. Mason, Charlotte Mass, E. W. G. Mott
1931-1932	C. O. Boyd, A. Cross, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, G. Dobovsky, A. Finch, F. Fowler, L. J. Holmes, F. Johanneson, L. M. Mason, F. A. Sanderson
1932-1933	C. O. Boyd, A. Cross, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Fowler, L. J. Holmes, F. Johannesson, Charlotte Mass, F. A. Sanderson
1933-1934	W. Boughton, A. Cross, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Fowler, L. J. Holmes, F. Johanneson, Charlotte Mass, F. A. Sanderson
1934-1935	A. Cross, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Fowler, L. J. Holmes, F. Johanneson, Charlotte Mass, M. Olafson, F. A. Sanderson
1935-1936	A. Cross, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Fowler, L. J. Holmes, F. Johannesson, Charlotte Mass, M. Olafson
1936-1937	A. Cross, C. B. Cross, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Fowler, F. Johannesson, Charlotte Mass, M. Olafson, F. A. Sanderson
1937-1938	A. Cross, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Fowler, F. Johannesson, Charlotte Mass, M. Olafson, F. A. Sanderson
1938-1939	A. Cross, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. Fowler, M. Horne, V. Lamont, Charlotte Mass, F. A. Sanderson, H. Wiechman
1939-1940	A. Cross, M. Disney, L. B. Ellis, A. Finch, F. Fowler, M. Horne, E. M. Knapp, V. Lamont, Charlotte Mass, F. A. Sanderson, H. Wiechman
1940-1941	A. Cross, M. E. Disney, L. B. Ellis, A. Finch, F. Fowler, M. Horne, E. Knapp, B. Larson, Charlotte Mass, F. A. Sanderson, H. Wiechman
1941-1942	A. Cross, M. Disney, L. B. Ellis, F. Finch, F. Fowler, E. M. Knapp, B. M. Larson, Charlotte Mass, F. A. Sanderson, H. Wiechman
1942-1943	A. Cross, M. Disney, L. Ellis, A. Finch, F. Fowler, B. M. Larson, F. A. Sanderson, H. Wiechman
1943-1944	M. Cox, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. F. Fowler, B. M. Larson, R. Lyons, C. McAdam, B. McDonald, F. A. Sanderson, H. Wiechman
1944-1945	M. Cox, M. Disney, A. Finch, F. F. Fowler, R. Lyons, C. McAdam, F. A. Sanderson, H. Wiechman, M. Winston
1945-1946	L. Brewin, A. M. Cox, M. E. Disney, A. Finch, F. F. Fowler, A. Kowalson, R. M. Lyons, F. A. Sanderson, H. F. Wiechman, M. M. Winston
1946-1947	L. Brewin, A. M. Cox, A. Finch, F. F. Fowler, A. Kowalson, R. Lyons, F. A. Sanderson, F. Sexsmith, M. Winston
1947-1948	A. M. Cox, A. Finch, F. F. Fowler, A. Kowalson, R. M. Lyons, T. Notman, F. A. Sanderson, M. Simpson, M. M. Winston
1948-1949	Miss R. M. Barron, Mrs. M. L. Brewin, Mrs. A. M. Cox, Miss F. A. Finch, Miss F. F. Fowler, Miss A. Kowalson, Miss C. E. McAdam, Miss F. A. Sanderson, Miss M. M. Winston
1949-1950	Mrs. A. M. Cox, Miss A. Finch, Miss D. H. Fowler, Miss K. Garland, Miss K. M. Jessiman, Miss A. Kowalson, Miss C. E. McAdam, Miss F. A. Sanderson, Miss M. M. Winston
1950-1951	Mrs. A. M. Cox, Miss F. A. Finch, Miss F. F. Fowler, Miss K. M. Jessiman, Miss A. Kowalson, Miss C. E. McAdam, Miss F. A. Sanderson, Miss A. Talman, Miss M. M. Winston
1951-1952	Mrs. A. M. Cox, Miss F. A. Finch, Miss F. F. Fowler, Miss A. Kowalson, Miss C. E. McAdam, Mrs. K. M. Milliken, Miss F. A. Sanderson, Mrs. E. Sutherland, Miss M. M. Winston
1952-1953	Miss C. V. Day, Miss F. A. Finch, Miss R. Hamilton, Miss W. Leese, Miss M. E. McLeod, John Erle Outhwaite, Miss M. Pootkor, Miss F. A. Sanderson, Miss L. M. Shirtliff
1953-1954	W. J. Birtles, Miss F. A. Finch, Miss M. E. Flanders, Mrs. B. Fleming, Miss R. Hamilton, Mrs. M. M. Henderson, Miss W. Leese, Miss M. E. MacLeod, Velma Adell Motheral, John Erle Outhwaite, Mrs. M. Toews, Miss L. M. Shirtliff
1954-1955	W. J. Birtles, Miss C. Dunning, Mrs. B. E. Fleming, Miss R. Hamilton, Miss L. D. Hoath, Miss L. M. Klassen, Miss W. Leese, Miss M. E. MacLeod, Miss M. McClellan, Velma Adell Motheral, John Erle Outhwaite, Miss L. M. Shirtliff, Mrs. M. Toews
1955-1956	Miss C. Dunning, Mrs. B. E. Fleming, Miss E. Flynn, Miss R. Hamilton, Miss L. Klassen, Miss W. Leese, Miss M. McClellan, Miss M. E. MacLeod, Velma Adell Motheral, Mrs. L. Muldoon, John Erle Outhwaite, Mrs. N. Oxby, Miss A. A. Rockwell
1956-1957	J. Baltesson, Miss M. Collins, Mrs. B. E. Flemming, Miss B. E. Flynn, Miss N. A. Holland, Miss L. M. Klassen, Miss W. T. Leese, Miss M. E. McLeod, Miss A. Moir, Velma Adell Motheral, Miss M. Price, Mrs. A. Rockwell
1957-1958	Miss M. Collins, Miss E. Flynn, G. Gregory, Miss N. Holland, Miss W. Leese, Miss M. McClellan, Miss M. McLeod, Miss A. Moir, Velma Adell Motheral, Miss M. Price, Mrs. L. Regehr, Miss A. Rockwell, Mrs. E. Thompson
1958-1959	G. Bodnaruk, Miss M. Collins, Miss B. Flynn, Miss S. Galvin, Mrs. E. Graham, Mrs. O. E. Hunter, Miss R. McMillan, Miss A. Moir, Velma Adell Motheral, Miss M. Price, Mrs. E. Thompson, Miss M. Wallace, Miss L. Walley
1959-1960	J. Bodnaruk, Mrs. M. DeLancey, Miss H. Dirks, Miss J. Galvin, Mrs. E. Graham, Mrs. L. Grani, Miss A. Moir, Miss V. Motheral, Miss R. McMillan, Miss M. Price, Miss J. Sparrow, Mrs. E. Thompson, Miss M. Wallace
1960-1961	Mrs. H. Buhr, John W. Carroll, H. Fehr, Mrs. E. Graham, Miss N. Granovsky, Miss R. McMillan, Miss A. Moir, Miss M. Price, Mrs. G. Rozniatowski, Miss J. Sparrow, Mrs. E. Thompson, Miss E. Unger, Miss M. Wallace
1961-1962	John W. Carroll, Mrs. E. Graham, Miss N. Granovski, Miss S. Hood, Miss P. McIntee, Miss R. McMillan, Miss A. Moir, Miss G. Parker, Miss M. Price, Mrs. G. Rozniatowski, Mrs. E. Thompson, Mrs. E. Toews, Miss M. Wallace
1962-1963	?
1963-1964	Miss D. Argue, John W. Carroll, Miss M. Fennell, Mrs. F. Fredette, Mrs. E. Graham, S. Isfeld, Miss A. Moir, Miss G. Parker, Miss M. Price, Mrs. G. Rozniatowski, Mrs. E. Thompson, Miss M. Wallace
1964-1965	Miss D. Argue, Miss A. Black, John W. Carroll, Miss M. Fennell, Miss J. Galbraith, Mrs. E. Graham, J. Kadulbec, Miss A. Moir, Miss G. Parker, Miss M. Price, Miss R. Slipiec, Mrs. E. Thompson, Mrs. M. Wallace
1965-1966	?
1966-1967	Miss D. Argue, W. Baker, Mrs. L. Begay, Mrs. E. Chudy, Miss E. K. Crowston, Miss M. Fennell, Mrs. E. Graham, Miss A. Moir, Miss G. Parker, Mrs. E. Stewart, Mrs. E. Thompson, Miss M. Wallace
1967-1968	Mrs. E. M. Chudy, Miss S. Cook, Miss K. Crowston, Miss M. A. Fennell, Mrs. E. M. Graham, Miss E. Kiernicki, Miss G. Pospishell, Miss L. Reid, Mrs. E. L. Stewart, Michael J. Stokotelny, Mrs. E. A. Thompson, Miss M. Wallace
1968-1969	Miss J. Carlson, Mrs. S. Cassie, Mrs. E. M. Chudy, Miss K. Crowston, Mrs. E. M. Graham, Miss W. Greenham, Mrs. Z. Hendrickson, Miss E. Kiernicki, Miss A. Kowalson, Miss J. Petisch, Miss G. Pospishell, Miss L. Reid, Miss A. Rockwell, Mrs. E. Stewart, Michael J. Stokotelny
1969-1970	?
1970-1971	?
1971-1972	?

Among the other teachers were Edith Irene Emerson, Miss Lillian Turner, and Miss Edith Stevenson.

Photos & Coordinates

Postcard view of Somerset School (no date) Source: Rob McInnes, WP1018 Somerset School (2005) Source: Reid Dickie Somerset School namestone near its former site (October 2021) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90155, W97.15693 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Some Old Winnipeg Buildings by Randy R. Rostecki
MHS Transactions, Series 3, Number 29, 1972-73 season

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Richard School No. 1092 (Somerset, Municipality of Lorne)

Sources:

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

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

“Somerset School,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 June 1901, page 4.

“Nena Street School,” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 June 1901, page 5.

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

“The Somerset School,” Manitoba Free Press, 9 January 1902, page 10.

“Somerset teachers,” Winnipeg Tribune, 24 January 1902, page 8.

“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.

“Inspection of cadets,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 November 1903, 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.

“Winnipeg schools, No. 14—Somerset,” Manitoba Free Press, 31 October 1922, page 12.

“Somerset pupils today have art collection legacy,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 February 1949.

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

Obituary [Velma Adell Motheral], Winnipeg Free Press, 18 February 2023.

We thank the Winnipeg School Division, Reid Dickie, Nathan Kramer, and George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 18 February 2023

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