Clinton News-Record, 1986-07-23, Page 73Schools
Remembering school days of yesterday...
From page 26
gest highlight of the yearvas the Christmas
concert. It was held in the afternoon for
some time and the ladies took lunch. Even-
tually it was held in the evening with gas
lamps from the church brought over for
lighting.
An inspector came twice a year to observe
the teacher and students. One remembered
well was a Mr. Torn,. He generally gave the
children a half day off. and would go to Jean
McKinley's for dinner and supper and over-
night before continuing on. Mrs. McKinley
was a former teacher at S.S. 5. The over-
night stay gave the horses a chance to be fed
and watered, The next inspector, Mr.
Beacom, used a car for his school rourids.
One day during the week the school would
also be visited by a music teacher and a
local minister for religious instruction.
At a time when many of the students were
needed at home on the farm after Grade 8, a
surprising number went on to continue their
education from S.S. 5. In the early '30s these
included a minister, deaconess and several
teachers.
Adjoining the school yard, was a cemetery
and it was purchased in 1951 from the
Reserve of the Diocese of Huron and this
enlarged the school yard. The headstones
were removed to the Bayfield Cemetery. In
December 1967, the school was closed, and
the property sold to Joe Overholt and made
into a summer home.
Pioneers provided
early education
• for their children
By A.J. Mustard
When the early settlers had built their
cabins and started clearing their land, one
of their early concerns was providing
schools for the children. There were early
schools at Kippen, Brucefield, midway bet-
ween Brucefield and Clinton, in Varna, the
north end of the Goshen Line, on the Goshen
line where S.S. 5 was built and one in the
Village of Bayfield. Likely there were others
to serve the west and south areas of the
township.
These were log buildings built by the
pioneers themselves, and while small
grants were received from the government
of Upper Canada, they were largely sup-
ported by the rate system - each family paid
so much for each child attending the school.
Such things as wood for the stove and room
and board for the teacher were also provid-
ed by the parents of the pupils. Financial
support also became available from the
township council after its establishment in
1850.
The Harrison-Hincks School Act, passed
by the Legislature of Upper Canada in 1843
provided for the division of each township
into school sections with three trustees to be
appointed in each school section. It also pro-
vided for substantial grants to each county
based on the school enrollment, provided
the county made a similar grant.
Between 1854 and 1877 there were 11 sec-
tions established and 11 schools built in
Stanley Township. In 1893, a Union School
was built east of Drysdale in cooperation
with Hay Township to serve both Protestant
and Catholic children from the adjacent
areas of both townships. In 1903 a separate
school was built a short distance north of
Drysdale.
In addition to the rural schools of Stanley
Township, the Village of Bayfield comprised
another school section, the first school being
built on the bank of the Bayfield River on
land donated by Baron de Tuyll.
S.S. NO. 6
By Fred MeClymont
S.S. No. 6 School at Varna in 1850 was built
on the northwest corner lot with Mr. J.C.
Ward as teacher. It was a log school with
dirt floor and log benches. A large slate and
slate pencil were all that a pupil had to pro-
vide. During the winter about 100 pupils at-
tended and when spring came, about half
stayed home to work. In 1865 a lot was pur-
chased from Mr. G. Beatty for $130. and a
brick school was built at a cost of $340.
Eleven years later another room was built
and it became a two room school and
another teacher was hired. There were
about 50 scholars at this time. In 1905 the
last school was built, one room with about 30
pupils attending.
Included among the graduates have been
doctors, nurses, ministers, dentists,
teachers and many others who took up
various duties. During both world wars,
many former students served in the Cana-
dian Forces and a number paid the supreme
sacrifice.
In the early days, most of the teachers
were men but after the turn of the century,
Page 27
many were women and quite a number mar-
ried local men and made their homes in the
community.
School fairs started in 1918 for a number of
years. Exhibits were displayed in the
township hall and schoolhouse. Public
speaking was a popular contest. A scholar
frorh each school spoke . and a prize was
given. Also a parade of children and their
teachers was a colorful procession.
In 1945, electric lights were installed and
in 1967 the school officially closed. A reunion
was held the same year. A week later the
school and grounds were sold, bought by
Wm. Beatty, grandson of Geo. Beatty who
originally owned the land.
Our roots
in Stanley Township
and Huron ars
nineteen years deep.
We at Fleming Feed Mill are proud to have served the farmers
of Stanley Township and Huron County since 1967.
We also wish our many friends and customers in Stanley
Township all the best with your upcoming Sesquicentennial
Celebrations and Homecoming Weekend.
OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:
•Manufacturing pelleted and crumbled feed in bulk
'Contracting Laying Hens
•We handle Wheat, Corn, Oats, Barley, Mixed Grain, Soya Beans
FLEMING
FEED MILL LTD.
"Serving Huron County since 1967"
IRWIN ST., CLINTON (JUST OFF HWY. NO. 4 SOUTH) 482-3438
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-265-4204