›› Eramosa S.S. #7

Previous to 1871, a log schoolhouse on the south half of lot 12, con. 4 Eramosa, and another at lot 12, con. 1 Erin township accommodated the pupils of S.S. #7 section. When it was time to expand, the trustees purchased one-half an acre of land in the northern half of lot 13, con. 6 so that they could erect a new stone building.

In 1876 and 1878 Donald McCaig, who had left the Academy, a private boys’ school in Rockwood, was reported to be principal. The large attendance by 1880 forced the trustees to add a red brick section at one side for the primary grades, while the main section was used for the rest of the classes.

There used to be three doors on the front porch, two at the front and one on the south side to enter the building.

Electricity was installed in 1936, outdoor toilets were replaced by indoor ones in 1937, and the school was painted a light pearl gray. In accordance with the new course of study, books were added to the library.

In the spring of 1943 the school roof was shingled and the old sidewalk was replaced by a new one in the form of a Y (probably with each stem of the Y-shape going to the boys’ and girls’ doors).

Photo courtesy of the Guelph-Eramosa Township Archives. For more information see Eramosa Anecdotes, by Deborah Quaile (Ayton: Wordbird Press, 2007).