Historic Sites of Manitoba: Argyle School (30 Argyle Street, Winnipeg)

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Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

Named for the Duke of Argyle who was Governor-General of Canada from 1878 to 1883 (and husband of a daughter of Queen Victoria), the first Argyle School was erected in 1881 at the corner of Argyle Street and Henry Avenue, replacing a two-room, two-storey school that had previously operated on Louise Street. Designed by local architect Thomas H. Parr and built of brick veneer, Argyle School No. 1 had two classrooms. The next year, two more classrooms were added.

This four-room structure was used until being replaced by Argyle School No. 2, a three-storey structure, designed by architect C. H. Wheeler, and constructed by contractor T. M. Harrington during the summer of 1896. This two-storey building had ten classrooms and was capable of accommodating up to 500 students. It had four classrooms on each of its first and second floors, two classrooms and assembly hall on the third floor, with a Principal’s office, teachers’ library, and reading room. It opened for classes in September 1896.

Argyle School No. 2 closed its doors on 4 February 1952. The building was demolished later that year and replaced by the present school at this site. The present cottage-style structure was build of more glass and less steel than previous structures and opened to students on the same day as the old school’s closure. An official opening ceremony for Argyle School No. 3 was held on 7 March 1952, hosted by Eric Hansen, a local school trustee and President of the Argyle Home and School Association. Also present were Mayor Garnet Coulter, School Superintendent Herbert McIntosh, Department of Education Inspector A. F. Kerr, Principal Isabelle Betsy Smith, School Board Chairman S. B. Laing, and Reverend P. M. Petursson. The school cost $140,000 and consisted of six classrooms and an assembly hall. The schools design was such that should enrollment decline, the interior walls could be knocked out, and the building easily converted into an industrial plant.

Noteworthy people who attended Argyle School included Simon Abrahamson, Charles “Cully” Abrams, Norman Code, Robert Code, Joseph Crawford, Harold Ellerby, Charles Finkelstein, Dr. Abraham Hollenberg, Michael Hollenberg, Joseph Hollenberg, Narov Lansky, Ephraim Portigal, Slaw Rebchuk, Abraham Mark Shinbane, Abe Weidman, John Weidman, Nate Zimmerman, Louis Zimmerman, and Norma Zimmerman.

Principals

Period	Principal
1881-1882	Elgin Adams Blakely (1854-1937)
1882-1883	Noah Hewitt (1856-1919)
1883-1894	?
1894-1905	Jessie Isabella Ptolemy (1868-1931)
1905-1917	William Nelson Denike (c1871-1948)
1917-1925	Annie Jeffrey (1857-1937)
1925-1927	Archer Frank Goodridge (1891-1960)
1927-1929	Raymond George Pannell (1894-1936)
1929-1939	Isabel Ellis (1892-1985)
1939-1943	Marion Elizabeth MacAulay (1890-1974)
1943-1949	Barbara Marguerite McCord (1901-1954)
1949-1953	Isabelle Betsy Smith MacDonald (1906-2005)
1953-1961	Jean Margaret Cameron (1905-1984)
1961-1965	Josephine Ernestine Fenny (1919-2018)
1965-1966	Frances Louise Martin (1924-2002)
1967-1972	Alfred Charles “Alf” Selver (1928-2016)
1972-1973	Clyde Perry
1973-1975	Terry Boyanisky
1976-1977	George Nicholos Heshka (1933-2021)
1977-1978	Blair Fenton
1978-1980	Jim Beaque
1980-1982	Charles Polcyn
1982-1986	Maxine Zimmerman
1986-1989	Hart Sera
1989-1994	Gerry Moore
1994-2000	Sharon Pekrul
2000-2003	Robert Chartrand
2003-2007	Robert Riel
2007-2018	Pat Graham
2018-?	Patricia Mainville

Vice-Principals

No information.

Teachers

School Year	Teachers
1881-1882	Elgin A. Blakely, Miss Aggie Eyres
1882-1883	N. Hewitt (Standard 4), Miss M. A. Mabee (Standard 3), Miss Maria McKibben (Standard 2), Mrs. Tipplady (Standard 1)
1883-1899	?
1899-1900	Miss A. Coghill, Miss N. Earl, Miss J. Holiday, Miss Horn, Miss McCullough, Miss Murray, Miss Newell, Miss Scott, Miss Thompson
1900-1901	Miss A. Coghill, Miss L. Duval, Miss N. Earl, Miss J. Holiday, Miss B. Horn, Miss C. McCullough, Miss A. Murray, Miss Margaret Scott, Miss E. Thompson
1901-1902	Miss M. Alldritt, Miss J. Campbell, Miss L. DuVal, Miss A. Glenn, Miss J. Holiday, Miss B. Horn, Miss I. Munro, Miss M. Scott, Miss M. Talbot, Miss E. Thompson
1902-1903	Miss M. Alldritt, Miss Ivy Cull, Jean Ellis, Miss A. L. Glenn, Miss B. Horn, Miss F. Munro, Miss I. Munro, Miss M. Neilson, Miss E. Thompson
1903-1904	Miss M. Aldritt, Miss Ivy Cull, Jean Ellis, Miss A. L. Glenn, Miss B. Horn, Miss Kirkwood, Miss F. Munro, Miss I. Munro, Miss M. Neilson, Miss E. Thompson
1904-1905	Miss M. Alldritt, Miss Ivy Cull, Jean Ellis, Miss A. L. Glenn, Miss B. Horn, Miss K. Horn, Miss F. Munro, Miss I. Munro, Miss M. Neilson
1905-1906	Miss M. Alldritt, Jean Ellis, Miss A. L. Glenn, Miss B. Horn, Miss K. Horn, Miss M. L. Jackson, Miss I. Munro, Miss M. Neilson, Miss I. Robertson
1906-1907	?
1907-1908	Jean Ellis, Miss A. Groff, Miss K. Horn, Miss M. M. Jackson, Miss M. Neilsen, Miss J. Robertson, Miss A. M. Sherrin, Miss M. Stinson
1908-1909	Miss M. H. Aitchison, Annie C. Dickie, Jean Ellis, Miss N. Halpenny, Miss M. L. Jackson, Miss M. Neilson, Miss I. Robertson, Miss M. J. Stinson, Miss M. Whittaker
1909-1910	Annie C. Dickie, Jean Ellis, ?
1910-1911	Miss E. E. Brown, Annie C. Dickie, Miss F. Elder, Jean Ellis, Miss N. Halpenny, Miss M. L. Jackson, Miss J. J. Patterson, Miss M. E. Sittlington, Miss E. Watt
1911-1912	Miss E. Brady, Miss I. F. Elder, Jean Ellis, Miss M. Henderson, Miss M. L. Jackson, Miss E. McKay, Miss J. J. Paterson, Miss E. M. Wright
1912-1913	Miss E. Brady, Miss J. P. Elder, Jean Ellis, Miss Eliza Felker, Miss M. Henderson, Miss M. L. Jackson, Miss E. MacKay, Miss E. Shorey
1913-1914	Miss W. Andrews, Miss S. F. Baird, Miss E. Brady, Jean Ellis, Miss E. H. Felker, Miss M. Henderson, Miss M. L. Jackson, Miss E. E. McKay
1914-1915	Miss W. Andrews, Miss S. F. Baird, Miss E. Brady, Miss E. H. Felker, Miss M. Henderson, Miss M. J. Jackson, Miss E. E. Mackay
1915-1916	M. J. Anderson, Miss W. Andrews, Miss S. F. Baird, Miss E. Brady, L. Connell, M. Henderson, Miss E. E. MacKay
1916-1917	Miss W. Andrews, Miss E. Brady, L. Connell, M. Crabtree, M. Henderson, Miss E. E. MacKay
1917-1918	O. Bethel, D. Brady, Miss E. Brady, L. Connell, M. Crabtree, Miss E. E. MacKay, J. A. McCullough
1918-1919	O. Bethel, L. Connell, G. McD. Hamilton, M. Leece, K. A. MacDonald, Miss E. E. MacKay, G. M. Mullett
1919-1920	L. Connell, G. McD. Hamilton, M. Leece, K. A. McDonald, G. B. Mullett, I. Tully
1920-1921	?
1921-1922	J. L. Baxter, M. Blough, E. L. Bell, Isabel Ellis, G. McD. Hamilton, Emily Esther Phipps, J. M. Sinclair, I. Tully
1922-1923	M. Blough, E. L. Bell, J. L. Baxter, Isabel Ellis, M. M. McIntyre, Emily Esther Phipps, J. M. Sinclair, I. Tully
1923-1924	M. Blough, Isabel Ellis, M. Henders, M. M. McIntyre, Emily Esther Phipps, J. M. Sinclair, G. Tod, I. Tully
1924-1925	M. Blough, Isabel Ellis, M. Henders, M. M. McIntyre, Emily Esther Phipps, J. M. Sinclair, I. Tully
1925-1926	?
1926-1927	M. K. Belyea, E. Deacon, Isabel Ellis, M. M. McIntyre, Emily Esther Phipps, J. M. Sinclair
1927-1928	M. K. Belyea, Isabel Ellis, E. S. Galbraith, M. M. McIntyre, M. A. Norman, Emily Esther Phipps, J. Shere, J. M. Sinclair
1928-1929	M. K. Belyea, Isabel Ellis, M. M. McIntyre, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere, J. M. Sinclair
1929-1930	M. K. Belyea, A. B. Grover, M. M. McIntyre, Grace E. Menzies, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere
1930-1931	D. H. Campbell, J. B. Chambers, E. Dawson, M. MacIntyre, K. S. MacLeod, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps
1931-1932	D. H. Campbell, J. B. Chambers, E. Dawson, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere
1932-1933	J. B. Chambers, E. R. Dawson, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere
1933-1934	J. B. Chambers, E. R. Dawson, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere, W. M. Templeman
1934-1935	J. B. Chambers, E. R. Dawson, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere, W. M. Templeman
1935-1936	E. R. Dawson, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere, W. M. Templeman
1936-1937	E. R. Dawson, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, W. M. Templeman
1937-1938	E. R. Dawson, J. McGrath, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, W. M. Templeman
1938-1939	A. Hood, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps, J. B. Shere
1939-1940	E. B. Creighton, A. G. Hood, M. S. Metcalfe, Emily Esther Phipps
1940-1941	E. B. Creighton, A. G. Hood, Emily Esther Phipps
1941-1942	E. B. Creighton, A. G. Hood, Emily Esther Phipps, D. Reid, F. Rowley
1942-1943	E. B. Creighton, A. G. Hood, Emily Esther Phipps, D. Reid
1943-1944	E. B. Creighton, A. Hood, Emily Esther Phipps, D. Reid
1944-1945	P. Block, A. Connelly, F. M. Davies, M. McClellan, Emily Esther Phipps
1945-1946	P. Block, M. Davies, Valdine Johnson, M. McClellan
1946-1947	P. Block, M. Davies, Valdine Johnson, M. McClellan, E. M. Sjoberg, G. Sutherland
1947-1948	E. M. Burnett, M. Davies, Valdine Johnson, M. McClellan, M. Sjoberg, E. Sutherland, E. Thom
1948-1949	Mrs. M. Davies, Valdine Johnson, Miss C. Laing, Mrs. M. E. Lesavage, Mrs. M. Sjoberg
1949-1950	Mrs. D. Byers, Valdine Johnson, Mrs. E. Lesavage, Mrs. A. McDowell, Miss P. Peterson, Mrs. M. Sjoberg
1950-1951	Mrs. D. Byers, Valdine Johnson, Mrs. E. Lesavage, Mrs. A. McDowell, Miss L. J. Morrow
1951-1952	Mrs. D. Byers, Miss T. C. Harper, Valdine Johnson, Mrs. C. Moffatt, Mrs. J. Sandulak
1952-1953	Mrs. D. Byers, Miss T. C. Harper, Miss P. P. Klym, Mrs. C. Moffat, Benny Zenon Orlins
1953-1954	Mrs. D. Byers, Mrs. J. Murray, Benny Zenon Orlins, Mrs. A. Penner, Mrs. M. Schutte
1954-1955	Mrs. D. Byers, Benny Zenon Orlins, Mrs. A. Penner, Mrs. M. Schutte, Mrs. M. Williams
1955-1956	Miss I. Bothwell, Peter Derenchuk, Mrs. R. M. Hunt, Mrs. M. Taylor, Miss K. Tod
1956-1957	Miss I. Bothwell, Peter Derenchuk, Mrs. M. Dutton, Miss D. Fraser, Mrs. R. Hunt, Miss K. Tod
1957-1958	Miss I. Bothwell, Peter Derenchuk, Miss Doris Fraser, Mrs. R. Hunt, Mrs. D. Matheson, Miss K. Todd
1958-1959	Miss I. Bothwell, Peter Derenchuk, Mrs. M. Duke, Miss L. Hastewich, Mrs. R. Hunt, Miss A. Mowat
1959-1960	Miss I. Bothwell, Mrs. M. Duke, Mrs. R. Hunt, Miss A. Mowat, L. Pretchel
1960-1961	Miss I. Bothwell, Mrs. Mary Janzen
1961-1962	Mrs. U. Lithown, Mrs. J. A. Voesenik, Miss E. Ward
1962-1963	?
1963-1964	Mrs. E. Badiuk, Mrs. U. Lithown, Miss R. Mickelson, Mrs. G. Neufeld, Mrs. M. Ruta
1964-1965	Mrs. U. Lithown, Miss R. Michelson, Mrs. G. Neufeld, Mrs. M. Putnam, Mrs. M. Ruta
1965-1966	Mrs. U. Lithown, Miss R. Mickelson, Mrs. G. Neufeld, Mrs. L. A. Patson, Mrs. M. Ruta
1966-1967	?
1967-1968	Mrs. A. Hatch, J. McNeill, Mrs. I. Paxton, Mrs. F. Ridgeway
1968-1969	Mrs. L. Fraser, Miss J. A. McNeill, Mrs. M. E. Murray, Mrs. F. Ridgeway, Mrs. R. J. Shamess

Photos & Coordinates

Argyle School No. 2 as conceived by its architect, 1894 Source: Winnipeg School Board, Annual Report 1894, Legislative Library of Manitoba. Argyle School No. 2, as built, 1903 Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Schools - Argyle #1. Argyle School No. 2 (no date) Source: Winnipeg School Division Argyle School No. 3 (August 2019) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90207, W97.12958 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Argyle School No. 122 (RM of Woodlands)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Heritage Tree Program Plaque (Argyle Street, Winnipeg)

Sources:

“The public schools,” Winnipeg Daily Sun, 8 September 1881, page 4.

Annual Report 1896, Winnipeg Public School District No. 1, Legislative Library of Manitoba.

Henderson’s Directory for Winnipeg, Peel Bibliography, University of Alberta.

“Opening of city schools,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 2 September 1899, page 4.

“Assignment of teachers,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 1 September 1900, page 1

“Holidays end Tuesday next,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 31 August 1901, page 10.

“The staff of city teachers,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 1 September 1902, page 3.

“City schools re-open Monday,” Manitoba Free Press, 29 August 1903.

“Inspection of cadets,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 November 1903, page 3.

“City schools open to-morrow,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 31 August 1904, page 3.

“Assignment of Winnipeg teachers,” Manitoba Free Press, 2 September 1905.

“Changes in city schools,” Manitoba Free Press, 31 August 1907.

“Re-opening of schools,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 August 1908, page 1.

“Teachers named for all schools,” Winnipeg Tribune, 3 September 1910, page 3.

“Assignment of teachers for Winnipeg Schools which open on Sept. 15,” Winnipeg Tribune, 1 September 1911, page 9.

“City schools staff assembling in Sept.,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 August 1912, page 8.

“Opening of the Winnipeg public schools has been set for Monday next,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 August 1913, pages 1 and 2.

“Here’s your teacher!” Winnipeg Tribune, 21 August 1914, page 6.

“School Board assigns teachers,” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 August 1915, page 9.

“Reduce staff of teachers at high schools Monday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 August 1916, pages 1 & 12.

“Boundaries of schools are named,” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 24 August 1917, page 9.

“Complete plans to open schools Tuesday for 30,000 children,” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 30 August 1918, page 14.

“Teachers are selected for various grades,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 August 1919, page 3.

“Winnipeg schools, No. 5—Argyle,” Manitoba Free Press, 20 October 1922, page 5.

“The Argyle name honors early Governor-General” by Claire Tisdale, Winnipeg Free Press, 7 February 1949.

“First new school of ‘52 to be opened next week,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 January 1952, page 3.

“Argyle School puts up the shutters,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 January 1952, page 3.

“Official opening of Argyle School slated Friday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 March 1952, page 20.

“Tender for demolition of a school building,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 April 1952, page 40.

“Plasticine, paper, pegs - city schools stock up,” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 April 1952, page 3.

“School board year one of precedents,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 December 1952, page 3.

“Trustees OK appointment of nine city principals,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 June 1953, page 3.

Obituary [Emily Esther Phipps], Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 1972, page 31.

“Choice of Principal divides trustees,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 June 1973, page 3.

Quiet Dignity: Aspects of Building Schools in the Winnipeg School Division No. 1, 1871-1928 by Giles Bugailiskis, MA thesis, Department of History, University of Manitoba, 1990.

Winnipeg School Division: Celebrating One Hundred Fifty Years, 1871-2021 by Winnipeg School Division, 2021.

We thank the Winnipeg School Division, George Penner, and Kristin Heshka for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 7 May 2023

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