The Goderich Signal-Star, 1970-12-03, Page 25".The oldr.7600 ruins ffre. •
tesflrnonyto colorful past
The main entrance to the
former Goderich Collegiate
building on Britannia Road. is
one of the very few portions of
it still standing as a wrecking
crew continues to demolish the
v 96 -year-old structure.
Through -this door, used for
the first tjme in 1874, . have
passed thousands of former,,
pupils .up until the building was
abandoned as a school in 1952.
Many of the former pupils
who passed through this door
• have since died, Other countless
thousands are residing in many
different parts of the world.
When the main entrance is
razed and the pile of bricks
surrounding it are cleared away,
nothing will remain to bring
• back memories to former -pupils.
No one seems to . know if
there- is a cornerstone in the
building in which old
newspapers, coins and
documents were placed when
the school was 'built. Only when
the last remaining portion of the
building is razed will the answer
to this be given.
When the building ceased to
be used as a collegiate in 1952 it
was used for a timeas offices for
the Sheaffer Pen Com panyn
1953.
Then, when the old Huron
County Court House was
destroyed by fire, the old
Collegiate was used for. County
offices from 19.54 to about
1956.
Next, it became , Victor
Lauriston Public School and was.
used as such for some years.
With , the building of the
Robertson` Memorial Public
School, it was no longer needed
as a school building, For about
the past year the old building
has been vacant and unused.
Following is a brief account
relating a history of the old
Goderich Collegiate: -
At the Old Boys and Girls
Reunion in August of 1952
former pupils gathered for the
last time at GCI for a joyous
get-together, and a final farewell
to the school.
First master of the school in -
1841 was R. F. Campbell. He
conducted the school in his own
house known as "Skeleton's
Hall." Because the church ruled
that "no clergyman remunerated
by the church `society should
engage in any employment
outside his proper duties," Rev.
Mr. Campbell resigned the post
six months after he started.
The first school was called the
County Gr-arnmar::-School t�
warrant the public grant. John
Haldane was principal until July,
1868.
In 1871 a. school actwas
passed, which resulted in
o.
Common Schools, and Grammar
Schools being known as Nigh
Schools, or, by conforming with -
certain regulations,. Collegiate
Institutes. In this .year Dr. 11. I.
Strang became , principal and
remained assuch. for 34 years. ",
In 1874 the Britannia Road
site- was . purchased and a
building, only the southwest
portion of the building -now
being razed, was built to
.accommodate 100 pupils. In
1875 'pupils were moved in. By
1878 the number of pupils had
reached 200 and a large double
wing was added on the east end.
Later it was found necessary
to add a gymnaaiurn and greatly
alter the old building to bring it
up to the standard set by the
Department of Education. In
1892 the school re=opened as a
Collegiate Institute. G
In 1924 it was decided to
remodel and enlarge the old
building, adding a three:storey
wing in the northwest corner. In
1938, the school was enlarged
by the addition of the fully
equipped manual training and
home economics rooms above
the gymnasium.
Dr. Strang was succeeded as
principal by Dr. J. M. Field. In
1911, Mr. J. P. Hume was
appointed principal, to be
followed later by Mr. A. R.
Scott.
q
GODER101.1. $1011,4.0rAft,. MVO:S
At this time I would like to solicit
your. votes for Township Coundii„,
SEASON'S GREETINGS
SUN LIFE
progressive
company
in a
progressive
industry
If these stair steps could relate the story of a lifetime of service; there would be plenty to write
about the demolition of Victor Lauriston School. There would be sad stories and happy ones,
stories of victory and stories of defeat. Now the stairways are deserted and ready to succumb to
the wrecker's boom. The story is just about finished. (staff photo)
GORDON T. WESTLAKE
Phone 565-5333 Bayfield
S,UN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA
OPEN THURS. & FRI. NITS TIL 9 CHRs;MAs
(AflhlDIflfl
TIRE
LIGHT <K
OUTDOOR
SET
Pretty as a pictu0re for a festive front door,
along the roof or around the windows. Dress up
trees and bushes with cascades of color too!
Independent burning bulbs in assorted colors;
cord and plug plus add-on connector.
- 12 -LIGHT OUTDOOR SET .
15. LIGHT OUTDOOR -SET
25 -LIGHT OUTDOOR SET .. ...
EXTRA SPARKLE BULBS Pkg. of 4 ...
15 -LIGHT TWINKLE SET
EXTRA BULBS for Twinkle Set
3.77
4..59
. 7.29
.53
5.98
.22ea.
14,
How many school children went through these doors in the years that Victor Lauriston School
served the town of Goderich there is no way of telling. Today the door stands as yeilb see it here -
starkly forlorn against the background of ruin. (staff photo) 411
e '
Friends and Citizens
A growing -community doesn't just
happen - it takes action. We can no
longer afford to have members of our
Municipal Government sit back and
wait for opportunities to occur; we
must make them occur.
Council must continue to serve its
citizens by.supporting local commerce
and industry, and encouraging new
industrial development.' Thriving
industry maintains good; jobs. It also
guarantees new job opportunities as
expansion occurs. As well, it gives our
young people a place in' their home -
too many are leaving our town.
Council must continue to support Tourism. The many dollars left in
Goderich each year by visitors sift throughout theentire community. Tourist
dollars help build a thriving business community. A thriving business
community offers competitive dollar values to us all.
Councilmust speak with a strong and determined voice in County
business. These are changing times and there are still those who suggest that
we can do nothing to alter the direction of this change. I cannot accept that.
We can respond by reacting with vigour and making positive suggestions for
our future. When changes are suggested; such as the redistribution of our
local assessment revepues over the entire County,. or, complete reversals in
the very nature of our grants and subsidies structures with the Province; then
I Think it is time to move. And the time to move is now!
Let's know what we want and know how to get it. Let's dig in and work
to build an even better Goderich. •
Citizens: Your vote in this election gives you an important voice. On
December 7, you do have a choice. It is important that you see the need to
make that choice and I know that you will choose the man to best represent
your interests.
I have been proud to work for you in the past. I am pledged to continue
my efforts as your Reeve. Your vote for me is an expression of faith in the
future of our Town.
G.E. OUTDOOR GLOW TYPE
15 -Light Set
4.19
Set the mood for bright and cheer) lesti"e sea-
son. Independent burning bulbs to assorted
colors'. with' plug and add -Ort connector.
SPARKLING INDOOR
Mini -Lights
10 LIGHT 1.39
SET
Shunt -type stay alight even if a bulb
burns out. Assorted colors.
20 -LIGHT SET
35 -LIGHT SET
EXTRA BULBS Card of 5 •
TRANSPARENT SPARKLE
Indoor Sets
7 LIGHT 1.64
SET
Independent hurninq bulbs,
beautiful assorted colors.
1.99 12 -LIGHT SET 2.69
3.49 EXTRA BULBS assorted or 1
.39 color; sparkle or glow 4/.38
Realistic `Astralite' Christmas Trees •
• 1 tr:-rilartt nt, non •. Ci,orrkt.•'lightint Sakt}' S,11 -,landing
HIGHLAND QUEEN- 98
Full, hush!, Srt�tch 41/2 -ft.
Piny drsitn. ��trh 14.88
m�t.tl tti-lig �t.md 7 -ft.
DELUXE HIGHLAND
QUEEN- 19.88
\.ith full:r 7 -ft.
'ROYAL SCOT' -with longi 24.88
'SNOW QUEEN' -with 16.98
stunk tij'prd hrnnihe.. 7 -ft.
BLUE SPRUCE-
Attr,ictivc focal point for your fes -
live dolor. Hravy duty detachable
metal stand included. ,
6411'88 7-ft.14 88
DELUXE BLUE SPRUCE- 19.98
%kith fuller toll 7 -ft.
e.3t0(
(v-
P.S.:
Need transportation to your polls Call 7919 or 8538.
c.
INDOOR•/OUTDOOR
Flood Light
3.33
Crystal clear high. Wall
bracket. earth spike.
Grounded plug.
With red, blue, green,
pink or yellow bulb 3.88
Apply for aI,...,.
CANADIAN TIRE
{Stir}
Credit Card
tiz
Today
METAL TRI -LEG
Tree Stand
•
Holds tree up to 271s"
diam. Water container.
DELUXE STAND 23"
spread; slots 3.49
for lights.
EXTRA!
Cash and Carry
BONUS nom'
''
1;itiY�1
COUPONS
MOTORIZED
COLOR
Wheel
5.99
Spreads a season-
al -glow of ever
changing color.
Built-in motor.
(bulb extra).
DECORATOR
Paint
1.39
14 -oz.
AEROSOL,
Fasi-spray enamel
for those season-
al touch ups in-
doors or outside.
Assorted colors.
AEROSOL
SPRAY
Snow-Kote
3
5 ,0-
Frosty touch for
Christmas trees
etc. Fire -safe.
STENCILS-- 19
Pkg. of 9 •
We reserve the right to limit quantities on all sole items
•
DOMINIC FOX LTD.
221 Huron Road - 524-2121
SCOTCH PINS/ STARLIGHT
Miniatui a Pirouette'
.99 .88
21/2-ft.2rh-ft.
Ideal as centre-
piece for table.
mantle. TV. etc.
Graceful little blue: '
green vinyl tree.
l3uy several.
GREEN or SILVER 'CANADIAN PINE'
6 -foot Vinyl Tree
All the beauty of n real tree withtbwf the
inconvenience. Pull out branches for easy
storage. With metal stand. 3J7 '
BLUE/GREEN CANADIAN PINE -6 -ft. 5.44
OPEN ALL DRAY WEDNESDAY