From the Archives
Edgeley School
The City of Vaughan’s archives house more than 600 collections dating from the early 1700s to the present day. Within these files are the stories of how Vaughan evolved from the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to the bustling city it has become.
Let’s look back at our history and share the stories of the people, places and moments that helped shape the city we know today. This month’s feature is on Edgeley School.
In 1842, school trustees purchased 1/16 of an acre of land on Lot 6, Concession 4 (near the present day intersection of Keele Street and Highway 407) from Samuel Smith for five shillings (about $1500 Canadian in today’s market). The log building was replaced by a larger brick structure one hundred meters south of the previous site in 1869, which became Edgeley School Section No. 8. A large wooden stove heated the school, but on cold mornings, students often found their inkwells frozen. Students would gather around the stove for an hour or more to start their day, until the building was warm enough to return to their desks.
The Government of Ontario made schooling a requirement for children ages eight to 14 in 1871. As a result, the number of students at Edgeley School had grown to 75 by 1880. To accommodate this growth, additional desks were built along the south wall. The desks used at the time usually seated two students each, but smaller desks meant for younger children often seated up to four. By 1890, the school had more than 100 students.
After age 14, many male students were kept home during the warmer seasons to help their families with farming chores, and returned to school in the winter. Students studied arithmetic, art, geography, grammar, history, literature, reading and writing. Those who were more advanced in their studies also had the opportunity to learn Latin, Greek and bookkeeping. To pass their exams, students had to achieve at least 60 per cent, and their marks were published by local newspapers.
In 1873, taxes collected from the parents of students were $350. Around 1900, the school’s expenses were low, roughly $450 each year, but by 1950, they had increased to $4,000 per year. In 1957, a new building for the school was constructed, which was used for a decade and offered classes for students in grades 7 and 8. The school closed in 1967, and students were transferred to schools in Maple.
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
Looking for more information about the history of Vaughan? The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
- From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
- Historical Families of Vaughan
- Historical Photography
- Past Mayors of Vaughan
- Prohibition in Vaughan
- Recollections of Rural Vaughan
- The Great Depression in Vaughan
- The Mary Wood Collection
- The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
- Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
- Vaughan Lodge Fonds
- Vaughan Working Environments
- Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
- And more!
A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database or contact the City by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.
By managing and preserving both City and community records, the City’s Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
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