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Oakridge Public School
Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006
On the south side of Danforth Avenue between Pharmacy and Warden Avenues is what's left of the old Oakridge Public School. This 1993 City of Scarborough plaque embedded in the wall says this:
Coordinates: 43.693095 -79.279323 |
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Oakridge Public School was built on this site in 1913 to replace the former one room school, S.S. No. 12, which had been gutted by fire. Two rooms were added in 1916 and four more rooms in 1922.
As the population of the township of Scarborough continued to grow, a second building, consisting of six rooms, was built.
This 1925 datestone was taken from the second building when both structures were demolished in 1967 and replaced by a modern school on Byng Avenue.
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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
> Posted April 10, 2016
I went to Oakridge School from 1947 to 1957. My mother and brothers went there too. I remember when the boys and girls had to go into two different doors. Mr. Bennett was the principal. In my mother's time there, he was a teacher. Does anyone remember Mr. Witfield, Mr. Devolen, Miss Little, Mrs Grouch, Mrs Prichard or Mr. Baker?
Mary Poulin [email protected]
> Posted May 1, 2015
Hello. I lived on Robinson Avenue late 60's. I remember when Old Oakridge School on the Danforth was boarded up. Being kids we found an opening where someone took out the boards so we went in to take a look. We found wooden desks eaten by termites, and stuff thrown around everywhere. On the second floor was a big hole in the ceiling which I did some research on and it appears there was a dance one night on the second floor where a lady fell through the floor and was rushed to the hospital. This was around 1964-65 time. They realized the termites were eating through the floors, desks, anything that was wood and later claimed it was infested by termites.
> Posted August 22, 2014
I went to Oakridge from kindergarten to grade 2. I had Mrs. or Miss. (not sure which) Ketcheson for kindergarten. My older siblings attended there as well. We lived on Byng Ave. I was sorry to hear it was torn down.
> Posted July 24, 2014
I too went to Oak Ridge. The new school was built in 1966. Our house was at 65 Pharmacy. It was bought by the city to build the new school. I was 8. I remember leaving our house that my father, grandfather and great grandfather had just completed the 2nd story. We were forced to sell. We would walk along Danforth and stop in the shops along the way.
Vicki Best. BFM Belleville secretary
> Posted March 16, 2014
I went to this school back in the 40s & 50s. I remember only a few of the teachers from back then. There was Mrs. Laidlaw, grade 1, Mrs. Little, g2 I believe, Mrs. Haig, g3 I believe, Mr. Baker, g5 & 6 and Mrs. Pritchard, grade 8. Mr. Benham was the principal in my younger years and was replaced by another after quite a scandal. I can't remember the other principal's name.
> Posted February 22, 2014
Not very good memories of the old Oakridge PS. Had a teacher who loved to beat the kids. Would scream at the top of her voice and if you got out of line would give you the strap. Thank goodness that my mother was able to put me into another school.
> Posted October 19, 2013
Does anyone remember a grade three teacher in the east building named Ms. Handley. You can let me know at [email protected] THX
> Posted September 5, 2013
Some of my favourite memories were at Oakridge (on Byng). Playing floor hockey, grade 4 in the portable, choir and plays...sigh. I remember reciting In Flanders Fields at the legion on Remembrance Day. :) and getting a nod after from the principal Mr. Faulkner. Litsa, Kevin, Josie, Kim....where did everyone go?! :s
> Posted March 9, 2011
Hello I think the date they demolished the school was later than 67 I lived on Robinson and the school was still there until 69-71 or 72. Does anyone remember the boxing matches in the ring they had in the new Oakridge School on Byng in the early seventies or the Gulf station on the bottom of Robinson next to the legion. Mr. Faulkner I think was the teacher's name.
> Posted March 5, 2011
If I remember correctly, my mother told me of a march from the old building to the new one much like a parade that included all of the children. My grandmother told me my mother "carried the flag" and that it was an exciting day for the community. My mother, Patty (Patricia) O'Leary, was born in '56 so I assume began school in '60? Sadly, she's no longer with us, but since she departed we have been searching for a classmate of hers. A friend that also went to Oakridge, but perhaps a couple of years younger and also had siblings attend. His name is Paul Williams. I know he remained in the area until at least 1995 and was a member of or attendee of the Byng Ave Legion. He was willed something from my mother and we've been unable to locate him. Maybe the individual that posted on Feb 20, 2011 would be able to help? Fun fact: my two uncles, Jim and Greg O'Leary, also attended Oakridge P.S. Uncle Greg had Miss Mick as a Kindergarten teacher....I had the same teacher in 1981 when I attended the Byng Ave Oakridge.
Thank you.
Erin
> Posted February 20, 2011
I went to the new Oakridge School in 1968 so the new one was build before then.
> Posted February 15, 2011
Hello. I lived on Robinson ave in the 60s. It says was demolished in 67. I think it was later than that. I remember it was closed down because it was infested with termites walking through the school. After they shut it down was it was a spooky scary place. Not sure what happened but it looked like they scattered out of there. Wooded desks were chewed by the termites as what we saw. Heard some noises on the top floor and ran out. Never stayed there for long. It was demolished shortly after that. I would say more like 69-72. It looked more like a hospital than a school. It, was a little bit haunting looking from Danforth.
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