The First School
| The school building for Union School Section No. 1 Markham and Vaughan, better known as the Thornhill Schoolhouse, was built in 1847 following the establishment of the Ryerson School System. The school was built at the north east corner of Jane and Elizabeth Streets to serve the students of the south end of the village as far as Steeles to the south and Bathurst to the west. This attractive red brick building with a small belfry and frame addition was built at a cost of $875.00. The school faced east and had plenty of windows for natural light. The census of 1861 shows that it could accommodate 100 students. A small shed was located near by for the storage of the winter supply of wood and coal. |
 The original Thornhill Public School, U.S.S. No. 1 Markham - Vaughan. [n.d.] Black and White print Weaver Collection Thornhill Archives 2003.81 Larger image |
 Sign board from the first school built in 1847. Thornhill Public School Collection. Larger image |
After serving the children of Thornhill for 76 years the school was burned to the ground in May, 1923 just as a new school building was nearing completion further south on Yonge St. The fire was the work of a young arsonist who had started several fires around the village that year. |
Memories of the old school
| "The Schoolyard was on the corner of Jane and Elizabeth Sts, well situated with hills for sleighing, and a creek running through the lower part. A high boardfence enclosed it, with turnstile gates to keep in any cows that might be pastured there. The one room brick schoolhouse had a beautifully coved and arched ceiling with fine big cross beams and king posts all nicely chamfered off. It was built in 1847 and burned sometime in the '20s. The school was supposed to be heated by a big heater in one corner. This was fired by the teacher who was Mr Tom McCormick in my time. There was a well in the yard but no water. There were even a couple of old apple trees covered with green apples too hard to eat, but handy as missiles. I've always appreciated these educational advantages, and remain thankful that I didn't have to attend the big, fancy schools of today" Thoreau MacDonald |
 "The Old Schoolhouse, Thornhill" Greeting card by Thoreau MacDonald [n.d.] Thornhill Archives 2002.15 Larger image |
| A popular prank to play at Halloween was to join the rope of the school bell to the one in the tower of the nearby Methodist Church at Centre and Elizabeth Streets. The ropes would then be set in motion causing the bells to ring loudly at three o'clock in the morning. |  Bell from Thornhill Public School Thornhill Archives 2003.86 Larger image |
School Photos
 School photo c.1903. Students with their teacher W. J. Allison. Thornhill Archives 2002.15 Larger image |
 School photo c.1917. Thornhill Photograph Collection Larger image |
 School photo 1922. This may have been the last school photo taken at the old school. Findlay Papers 2004.1 Larger image |
Teachers and Principals
When the Thornhill Schoolhouse was burned to the ground in May, 1923, more than just the building was lost. Also destroyed were seventy-six years of school records that had been stored in the building. Fortunately, there were those who had the foresight to record what they could about the teachers who had served at the school.
 List of Thornhill Public School teachers 1847-1952 Thompson family scrapbook Weaver Collection 2003.81 Larger image |
 Henry Brown, teacher in the old Thornhill Public School during the 1890's. Weaver Collection 2003.81 Larger image |
 Henry J. Bolitho, principal of the old Thornhill Public School from 1898-1901. Weaver Collection 2003.81 Larger image |
The School Site
The school was built on part of Lot 30, Concession 1, Vaughan Township in 1847. The building, positioned to face east as was the custom in order to take advantage of daylight, stood on a slight hill above a natural stream.
Several early maps show the location of the school in relation to nearby buildings, several of which stand to this day. The land on which the school sat was originally part of the Dundurn Village survey conducted in 1825 by Sir Allan Napier MacNab, the Brooke family and Attorney General D'Arcy Boulton. The school, however, was built some time after their interests in this land, and the unsuccessful settlement of Dundurn, had come to an end.
 Thomas Ratcliff's 1859 Map of Thornhill (detail) showing the location of the school. Thornhill Archives - Map Collection (M-1-14) The original map is in the Archives of Ontario. Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Fire Insurance Plan, 1910 showing location of the school. Thornhill Maps and Plans Collection Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Fire Insurance Plan, 1910 showing location of the school (detail). Thornhill Maps and Plans Collection Larger image |
The New School
| In 1917 the Thornhill School Board purchased 1 1/2 acres of land on the west side of Yonge St. opposite Elgin Ave. Their plan was to build a four room brick school with a projected cost of about $10,000.
In 1922, the school board, administered by Dr. Charles P. Johns, chairman, Dr. John R. Campbell V.S., secretary, and John Breakey, commissioned the architectural firm of James, Proctor and Redfern to design the new school which would be built by local builder and general contractor William Riddell. When the school was completed in the spring of 1923, the final bill had reached $42,000. |
 "Thornhill School Opened by Premier Ferguson" [Nov. 7th, 1923] Source unknown Larger image |
 An invitation to the formal opening on the new school Wednesday November 7, 1923. Alan and Betty Sumner fonds Thornhill Archives 2002.15.9 Large image Larger image |
 Article about the formal opening of the new school. October 29, 1923. Weaver Collection, Series 3 Larger image |
At the formal opening of the new school, held on Wednesday November 7, 1923, several gifts were presented. Mrs. Johns Sr. (mother of Dr. Charles P. Johns) presented a flag, artist Fred S. Haines presented one of his oil paintings, and the Thornhill District Horticultural Society landscaped the grounds.
School Photos
 Thornhill Public School Room 2, 1923 Findlay fonds Thornhill Archives 2004.1 Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School c.1925 Thornhill Photograph Collection Thornhill Archives Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School c.1927 Findlay fonds Thornhill Archives 2004.1 Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School Grades 6, 7 and 8, 1943 Dorothy Sholdice fonds Thornhill Archives Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School Grades 2 and 3, 1949 Findlay fonds Thornhill Archives 2004.1 Large image Larger image |
School Report
 Thornhill Public School Monthly Report for Nelson Findlay, 1927. Findlay fonds 2004.1 Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School Monthly Report for Nelson Findlay, 1927. Findlay fonds 2004.1 Large image Larger image |
The School Building
When the new school first opened in 1923, only the two rooms on the first floor were required for classes. Eventually one of the two rooms on the second floor was used for classes. The three class rooms were able to handle the level of student enrollment until 1944.
The second floor of the school was home to other activities other than classes in the early years. Local meetings, including the local Red Cross society made use of the fourth room, and from 1935 to 1950 the Thornhill Library shared the middle upstairs room with the school office.
 Thornhill Public School lighting plan, 1945 Jackson fonds Thornhill Archives 2004.8 Large image Larger image |
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 Thornhill Public School lighting plan, 1945 (First floor detail) Jackson fonds, Thornhill Archives 2004.8 Large image Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School lighting plan, 1945 (Second floor detail) Jackson fonds, Thornhill Archives 2004.8 Large image Larger image |
Following the Second World War the population of Thornhill grew rapidly and new classrooms were opened in the basement to accommodate increasing enrollment. In 1953 a large addition was built creating four new classrooms, a new office and teacher's sitting room. At this time the rest of the school was re-decorated.
 Percy Simpkins, Thornhill Public School caretaker from 1923-1959. Weaver Collection Thornhill Archives 2003.81 Larger image |
No history of Thornhill Public School would be complete without mention of Mr. Percy Simpkins, who was caretaker of the school from its opening in 1923 until his retirement in 1959. Mr. Simpkins acted as gardener, cleaner, painter and decorator, plumber, Yonge St. crossing guard and furnace man. Until an oil furnace was installed in 1953, he had to shovel 58 tons of coal into the furnace each year. Having been a pupil in the old school himself, Percy Simpkins witnessed the many changes to the school building as the number of students increased over the years. He also saw the increase in the number of educational opportunities available to students during 36 years of service at the school. |
In the early 1990's, Thornhill Public School was expanded once again. This time the existing building was more than doubled in size. Students were accommodated in another nearby school for the duration of the construction. When the school was reopened in 1994, students returned to a building greatly expanded in size and amenities, while still retaining the character of the old building.
Thornhill Public School, 1992.
Commemorative Quilt - 1944
| This quilt was made in 1944 to record the names of the staff, students, and trustees of Thornhill Public School. Penny (Reid) Moxon acquired the quilt from her uncle, Floyd Davies, about 1985. It is thought that it was made by his mother Alma Davies, or his mother-in-law Mable Echlin. The quilt was donated to the Thornhill Archives in May, 2004.
The reason for the making of the quilt is uncertain, since 1944 was not an anniversary year for the school. Since the quilt remained in the same family for 60 years, it seems unlikely that the quilt was made as a fundraising effort. However, it is entirely possible that it was created as a collective war-time project, perhaps to lift the spirits of students and teachers alike. There must certainly have been collective participation in the making of the quilt, since each name on the quilt appears in the handwriting of each person named. |
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The Quilt Squares
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Billy Cripps Howard Wolfreys Janice Bragar Henry Wolfreys Leonard Campbell Yvonne Mackintosh George Oristan Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Eddie Hooper Stanley Bateman Margaret Lefler Joan Sanderson Daniel Ryckman James Hooper Carol Law Larger image |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Bobby McCammon |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Louis Bertha |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives D. E. Dyer |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives G. Wesley |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives A. Thompson |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Michael Rochester |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Natalie Hooke |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Yvonne Swabey |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Peter Kinnear |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives R. Neil |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Thornhill Public School 1944 |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives B. Edwards |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Louise Chalmers |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Kenneth Mackintosh |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Ronald Croutch |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Jean Sim |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Percy Simpkins |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Harry Simpkins |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives H. Hickson |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Rose Marie Roberts |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Elizabeth Neil |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Marguerite Campbell |
 Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944 Thornhill Archives Billy Simpkins |
T.P.S. Today
Today, Thornhill Public School retains its tradition as a vibrant learning environment, filled with energy and school spirit.
To learn about life at Thornhill Public School today, visit their web site at: http://www.thornhill.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/
Thornhill Public School 160th Anniversary Reunion
On Friday April 20th, 2007, Thornhill Public School celebrated its 160th anniversary. The reunion assembly and tea party was accompanied by a display of photographs and other documents and materials from the school's past.
The Thornhill Archives was pleased to loan the original schoolhouse bell and the quilt made in 1944, with names of staff and students, for the occasion. Many other photographs and documents were copied from our collection for the displays.
To event photo gallery
Calling all T.P.S. Alumni !
We would love to hear from you! Do you have memories of your school days that you would like to share with us? Do you have any school documents, photographs or souvenirs that you would like to donate to the Archives?
Perhaps you would consider sending us digital copies of your school memories. Help us to preserve a glimpse of what life was like at Thornhill Public School, and what the experience meant for you.
Thank you,
Thornhill Archives & Special Collections Committee
Sources
The following is a list of the archival and published sources used in the creation of this exhibit.
Archival Sources
- Thornhill Public School quilt, 1944. - Donated to the Thornhill Archives by Penny (Reid) Moxon in May 2004.
- Findlay fonds (Acc: 2004.1)
- Jackson fonds (Acc: 2004.8)
- Weaver Collection (F 005)
- Thornhill Village Library Historical Collection - Alan and Betty Sumner Collection and Historical Scrapbooks (Acc: 2002.15)
- Thornhill Photograph Collection
- Thornhill Maps and Plans Collection
- Thompson Family Scrapbook (Acc: 2003.81)
- Doris M. FitzGerald fonds - Thornhill Village Library - Special Collections.
Published Sources
- FitzGerald, Doris M., "Thornhill: 1793-1963: The History of An Ontario Village", published by Doris M. FitzGerald, 1964.
- The Richmond Hill Liberal
Further Reading
To learn about the wider context of education in Ontario, visit the following exhibit from the Archives of Ontario.
Feedback
Please send us your comments and feedback on this exhibit. [To feedback page >>]
This exhibit was researched and compiled by Adam Birrell.
Please contact us if you would like more information about what is available at the Thornhill Archives.
