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Schools (1885-1940)

History

One and two-room schools were built throughout Manitoba between 1880 and 1940. Pioneer classes were held in churches or private homes. As the need for better facilities arose, specially designed buildings were erected. By the 1890s provincial standards were applied to the construction of school buildings and, by the turn of the century, carefully crafted buildings designed by architects were widely available to local school districts. Schools were built approximately six miles apart so that students would not have excessive distances to travel. By the time school consolidation began in the 1950s, there had been almost 2,500 school buildings constructed in the province.

Characteristics

  • almost all one and two-room schools are built on a rectangular plan with a gable or hip roof
  • a porch is often located at the front or the side of the building
  • most schools have a distinctive window wall, in which all the windows of the building are concentrated; this feature was intended to reduce glare and shadows in the classroom
  • almost all remaining buildings are of wood frame construction with horizontal wood siding; a few are of brick veneer or stone construction
  • some buildings have elements such as dormers and bell towers, but these are usually of modest design
  • details are uncommon; instead, contrasting colours for the building and window and door trim, brackets, and minor decorative work on chimneys provide interest