Constructed In 1911, The Grand Trunk Cottage School, Was One Of The Seven 1911 Cottage Schools Constructed In Outlying Subdivisions To Provide Temporary Accommodation For Calgary's Classrooms Prior To World War I. In Keeping With The Progressive Building Program Of The Calgary Board Of Education, This School Represents The Board's Distinct Policy To Build "residential" Like Facilities On Small Land Parcels In New Districts, In An Attempt To Relieve Congestion Experienced In Larger Central Schools. Although, Classrooms Were Operating In Rented Space In The Community Of Grand Trunk As Early As 1907, It Was Not Until September Of 1911 That A Petition Signed By Fifty Residents Of Grand Trunk Requesting A School Was Received By The Calgary Public School Board. The Hillhurst Cottage School, Constructed In 1910, The First Year Of The Board's Policy To Building Temporary Schools, Now Overcrowded, Could No Longer Serve The Expanding Community. The Board Responded Immediately By Approving The Purchase Of A Suitable Site With The Intent Of Erecting A Two-Room, Two-Storey School. By Mid 1911, The Calgary School Board Had Approved A Standard School Plan Drafted By Their Building Superintendent, J. Mcclelland. Designed To Adhere To Provincial Regulations Set Out In The Education Act, These Schools Were Given A Residential Quality To Allow For Their Future Resale. Often Placed On Two To Three Lot Parcels, They Blended Well With Their Neighbouring Residences. Little Room Was Made Available For Outdoor Play Space. Each School Was Comprised Of A Classroom On Each Level, Small Storage Spaces, And Cloakrooms At The Rear. Basements Contained Coal Rooms And Two Lavatories For Students. Classrooms Could Be Entered Separately Through Two Distinct Front Entrances, A Central Door To The Main Floor Classroom And A Second Door Providing Access To A Stairway That Lead To The Upper Floor. Windows Were Placed On West And Front Elevations To Provide Optimal Lighting Conditions. The Residential Quality Of The Buidlings Was Reinforced By An Open Front Verandah, Which Was Roofed The Full Length Of The Building. Both The Verandah Roof And The Main Building Roof Were Accentuated By A Front Gable Dormer. Wood Shingles Were Used To Clad Dormers And Roofs. Schools Were Identifed By Signboards Placed On Each Dormer, Which Denote A Date And Building Identification Of "cottage School." The Grand Trunk Cottage School, Like Other Contemporary Schools, Was Used For Classroom Purposes Until Spring 1958. In 1959, The City Leased The Property To The Western Canada Epilepsy League. They Established A Residence And Workshop Location For Those Suffering From Epilepsy. The Classrooms Were Restructured To Provide Accommodation And Workspace For Twenty Residents. Since 1981, The School Has Been Home To The Maritime Reunion Association. Interior Alterations Have Left Little Sense Of The Original Classrooms. The Exterior Has Also Undergone Modification, Including The Addition Of A Modern Fire Escape, Reworking Of Windows, And New Front Stair Configuration. The Building Is In Good Condition And Is Situated In A Fairly Isolated Location Adjacent To Neighbouring Historic Residences. (1982)
Earn 10 points!
Photo: Image from google maps