BLACK AND GOLD MEMORIES
1914-1964

This is a picture of Estevan Fourth Street, looking east, as it was in 1890's. On left hand side of picture a building with a stone front was Perry's Hardware, same site as it is to-day. On right side of picture, across road from Perry's was a big square white frame building - downstairs was a store run by Lindsay and Patterson, up the stair in this building was the first school in Estevan. Later this burned down, Rook's home was built as a school and was used between 1892-1895. The back of old stone school at Central was used as school after 1895 - and less than ten years later the front was added to Central School.

The first Estevan teacher who taught in the schoool over the store was Mr. Willson. The teacher who taught the school in Rooks' house was Mr. McLean. The first teacher in the old part of Central School (part built at the back) was Mr. Freeman. He was followed by Miss McNeil who later became Mrs. Wm. Hamilton (she was Jessie Hamilton's mother). The first High School principal hired was Mr. McKechnie. The first High School Board sworn in January 4, 1910 had Dr. Henry as chairman and Mr. D.C. Dunbar, Mr. E.J. Smith, Mr. Bill, and Mr. Scott was secretary. The Board made the plans for the new Collegiate building. At that time Mr. P.C. Duncan was the mayor in Estevan.

OLD SCHOOL IN ESTEVAN
This is a picture of Rooks' House, 1213-3rd Street.
It was built as a school by the stone mason, Mr. George Rooks, in 1899.
It has been Rooks' home for years, to-day Melvin Rooks and family live there.
Mr. George Rooks and daughter Edith.

OLD BACK PART OF CENTRAL SCHOOL showing all students in year 1902.
BACK ROW: Maria Terry, Laura McDonald, Lillian Scott, Mabel McTaggart, Ethel Perry,
Annie Galloway, Ethel McLeod, Gertie McDonald, Josie Marquis, Stanley Duncan. Teacher, Mr. Andersen.
THIRD ROW: Ida Marquis, Pearl McDonald, Madge Scott, Lillian Perry, Gladys Scott, Arthur Kelly, Norman McLeod.
SECOND ROW: Lavina Stockwell, Mary McDonald, ___________, Athie Yeardley, Freddie Rehn,
Bruce Duncan, Archie Kelly, Chris Rehn, Archie Little.
FRONT ROW: Ada White, Bertha Rehn, Olga Yardley, Clary Duncan, Janet Terry, Agnes Terry, Dorothy Terry.

1907

CLAIRE REYNOLDS (Mr. Selkirk) from Toronto wrote about her memories of the High School Course taken in Central School. In 1907 Mr. McKechnie became the Principal - he along with one assistant, taught the High School Course. The first Literary Society was formed with Norman McLeod as President, and the writer, Claire Reynolds, was the Editor of the school paper. Her paper was written in longhand and read at the Friday afternoon Literary meetings. There were two open meetings a year to which the Parents were invited. She recalled a Literary of February 12, 1909 which was an Oratorical Contest. Percy Galloway spoke on the "Rise of Responsible Government in Canada", Marie Terry on "Estevan, Past, Present and Future", another spoke on "Chivalry" and Claire Reynolds spoke on "The Status of Woman".

Central School was on Third Street on the present post office site.
The back part of the old stone school was built by stone mason, Mr. George Rooks.
The front part was built later by Mr. John Phillips.
This building housed both public and high school classes.

This web version was digitized by Angela Mennie on 10February2006 from the original source which can be found at the Estevan Public Library.

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