Sackville Street Public School

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

This school used to be Sackville Street Public School. Located at 19 Sackville Street, this 1977 Toronto Historical Board plaque attached to the school says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.653769 -79.359425

This school was designed in 1887 in a plain Victorian style by the eminent Toronto architect, W.G. Storm. It was the third school in the area, replacing the nearby Palace Street School, 1859, and the Enoch Turner School, 1848. Sackville's initial enrolment of 49 pupils increased to 269 by 1888. Mrs. Georgina Stanley Riches was first Head Mistress and served until 1912 when she ended a 37 year teaching career. She was formerly principal of Palace Street School. This building, Toronto's oldest school having continuous use, has substantially retained its original architectural character.

Related Toronto plaque
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted June 20, 2014
Hi. My name is Dianne Wilson. I went to Sackville Public from kindergarten to grade 4, years 1949-1953 (or thereabouts). I have always wanted to get in touch with a couple of girls. I lived at 8 Williamson Place from 1944 to 1953 (or thereabouts). Does anyone know Marlene and Hildegard Dyke (could be spelt wrong)? I can't remember any other names but maybe someone remembers me. I have sisters Trudy and Wendy that also went to school there. I lived across from the McLachlin clan, the Wingers, the O'Connors. That's all I remember. We always went to Gletnicks' Store. Anyone recall that? Love to hear from someone in my past. Great memories walking up Eastern Ave., seeing the horse-drawn carriage advertising something like "you can beat our butter but you can't beat our milk". Looking to hear from someone. I will be 70 in Sept. Sincerely Dianne [email protected] (My husband is Karl B in case you don't understand the name difference in the e-mail address).

> Posted March 21, 2014
My name is Eric Phalen. I also attended Sackville Street School around 1952-53-54 with a Mrs. Crocsile, probably spelled wrong. Hit my first and only home run there. I remember the boys went in one door and the girls through another. Also attended Dixon Hall which is also still going on today. Friends - David Williams, Wesley Williams and Gary Eastwick. A lot of memories. Living now in the Philippines. Would love to see some old class pic if anyone has any. Take care.

> Posted September 23, 2012
My name is Cindy Churchill, I went to Sackville in 64/65 I was in Grade two and my teachers name was Ms Quackenbush...she taught the split 2/3 class. .she made me eat my pencil shavings as I always chewed on the end of my pencils.. my brothers Robert, Frank and my sister Vikki also attended the school. I always remember having to line up for milk at lunch time- (down in the basement of the school) also when it came time to vaccinations, line up in the basement for the needle. I also went back to visit a few years back, we Lived on Wilkens Ave a dead end street that used to hold some pretty good block parties. The firemen used to come by regularly in the summer time and set their hoses up so we could all enjoy some cold water fun. some neighbours were the Smallwoods and the Shells, I cant remember other names.. I have lots of memories of Cabbagetown

> Posted September 18, 2012
As a former student, early 60's, I was curious what had changed in the school so I dropped in a couple of weeks ago. The basic layout is the same, even the circles are still drawn on what used to be the kindergarten floor although they wouldn't let me go upstairs or in the basement. I remember a plaque which hung on the wall as you went up the stairs with the names of all the Sackville boys who went off to war and never came home. It's still at the school but the location has changed. I remembered it as a grand piece of work but in reality it is a simple hand written piece with a flag drawn at the top. It seems to be the only original item remaining from Sackville although if we are honest, there wasn't much there to begin with. it was the students and teachers that gave it character.

> Posted September 18, 2012
There seems to be a lot of interest in Sackville Public. I went to a reunion in 1977 just before it changed names. they gave away a great photo of the school which I would like to publish on this site. I attended Sackville in the early 60's and had to move away because of the Gardiner extension.

> Posted June 9, 2012
My brother David Fanning went to this school late 60's. The rest of us kid's went to Park school. My Dad Roy Fanning was born and raised in cabbage Town. The Fanning family was very well known in the area I Would like to know more about my fathers side of the family. My grandfather Lawrence Fanning worked at the Gerrard Tavern in the 50's. My father was a very proud cabbage towner. My great grand parents moved there fresh off the boat from Ireland.My mother was born in Huntsville Ontario but moved to Cabbagetown as an infant. Both of my parents went to Park Public School. My mothers name was Anita Rawn. It would be nice to hear from anyone that may have known my parents. Sincerely Juanita Fannin

> Posted May 16, 2012
I used to live at 12A Eastern Avenue. Went to Sackville 1960-64. Then moved to Regent Park and went to Park School. Now it is called Nelson Mandella. I don't know why, did he visit the school. Anyway my name was Sharon Krieger. A little wimpy girl with buck teeth and glasses. I have school pictures from back then. I had won little bronze medals for attendance. Does anyone remember that. Well currently I live in Mexico, a long ways from the life style of poverty for sure. I design Jewellery for around the world. Maybe someone out there remembers me from those days. Email me [email protected] I have gone by the name of Annie for 40 years. Thanks and hope to hear from you all. Annie

> Posted April 1, 2012
would like to contact kathy Ingram formerly wilson. I believe I chummed with you back in the early 1950's. My sister Bernice dated a Billy Wilson who had many brothers and sisters. Did you at any time live in or near the Malton airport before going to Sackville St Public school. I at one time lived on Sackville St with a family, the Mcginn's. the house was torn down tho when the city built that highway or whatever it was. Im also looking for photos of the theatre that was just around the corner on Queens st and a record shop was just a few doors up. that was before Sam the record man of course lol.. contact me if you like at [email protected]

> Posted April 3, 2011
My father Frank Riley, worked as a janitor at Sackville St. School during the late 1960's. I remember as a child going with him one time to the school basement to inspect the boiler room. All I remember was this this huge boiler in what seemed to be a very high ceilinged boiler room. I just recently (april 2011) went to the school to take pictures of the exterior. I encourage others to do the same, just go and check out the small carving graffiti on the school walls from long past students. Regards, Mike Riley

> Posted March 18, 2011
Hi My name is Mila Micevski. I went to this school from 1961 to 1967 I would love to have some class pictures of that time as I lost all of mine. please if anyone has some contact me at My e-mail is [email protected]
Thanks

> Posted January 18, 2011
Hello. My name is Julie Terranova. I attended Sackville School from 1960-1967. I have 2 sisters , Louise and Jean Terranova, and 1 brother Basil. We lived on Power Street. I can remember some of the teacher's name. Mr. Gibson (gr. 6) Miss Hutchinson(gr.2&3) Mrs. Minsterer (gr.3&4)Mrs. Skinner (opportunity class)Mrs. Baptie (KG) Mr. Butterwick (gr. 4&5). Mr. MC Caul was one of the principles. (Spelling may be wrong of the names.) Many fond memories and the best years of my childhood were spent there. In grade 5 and 6, I was in charge of setting-up and cleaning the teacher's lunchroom and got paid $1.00 a month to do it. Please feel free to contact me if you have amy questions or even remember me.

> Posted November 28, 2010
Hi Annie. I went to Sackville 1954-1956, Grade 4 Teacher I believe her name was Ms Froud, and the grade 5 teacher was Mr Oi (Great teacher)and there was a Mrs Skinner. We lived on Funston Ave off Sumach. I had a chance to go into the school last year not much has changed inside,! i don't believe it's part of the Public School system now.
Sorry Kathy, I can't recall the principal's name.

> Posted September 25, 2010
Several years ago, I visited the school, but no one seemed to have any information/history of the school at that time. I did leave my e-mail, but no one contacted me. I attended Sackville School from 1952-1953 and would like to know who the principal was at that time, I know it was a woman. I used to live on Parliament Street and my name was Kathy Wilson and I had 8 brothers and sisters and their names were Olive, Richard, Billy, Jack, Bob, Donald and Patrick. My mother and father were Marjorie and Bill Wilson. My e-mail is [email protected]

> Posted January 30, 2010
Hi. I am trying to locate a elementary school in Regent park Toronto.I remember it being called Park/ school at the time in 1957-1962. Is it still running and located in south-Regent park.?Joan

> Posted December 12, 2009
hello. I lived on eastern ave. in 1953 and went to sackville till grade 4. We moved from the area. I would like to get more info on this site. Thanks Annie

> Posted August 17, 2008
The location of the house and barn were provided by a late 19th century fire insurance map, the Goad's Atlas. The street directory of 1852 listed the householder at that location as "Thornton Blackburn, cabman, coloured." These were the clues that led to a test excavation in Feb. 1985, and ultimately to the excavation of the Blackburn site later that summer. The cellar was a hand-dug root cellar under the middle room (bedroom) of what had been the Blackburns' shotgun house. This was located in front of the current school building, along the street line just about in front of the current school's southeast corner.
Hope this helps!
Karolyn Smardz Frost

> Posted August 2, 2008
I would like to know what evidence there was in the playground to authorize a dig that in turn revealed the Blackburn homestead. I understand from Smardz Frost's book that they located a mysterious cellar - what was that? Thanks

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