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Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
The oldest public school in Winnipeg and the last old downtown school sits rather anonymously on Vaughan Street, just north of The Bay. The land Isbister School stands on once belonged to the Hudson’s Bay Land Reserve. The School Board purchased a block of lots at $100 each from the Hudson’s Bay Company and in the summer of 1898, the contract for this ten-room, three-storey building was let to builder D. D. Wood. Architect Samuel Hooper supplied the plans. The cornerstone was laid with a silver trowel by School Board Building Committee Chairman Angus Browne at a grand ceremony on 26 September 1898. On Isbister School, Hooper employed Queen Anne style architecture, an eclectic style used mainly for residential buildings in Winnipeg. This makes any public building using the style particularly special.
After decades of service, Isbister School suffered the fate of other downtown schools suddenly in the middle of business districts rather than residential neighbourhoods. Dwindling enrolments caused the school’s closure in 1964 and it seemed likely the old place would be demolished. It received a reprieve, becoming the Adult Education Centre in September 1967. It even survived the 2004 onset of an incongruent steel, concrete and glass addition on the north and west sides. Luckily, the façade retains its 1898 face, glorious even with pollution-darkened brick. The school bears the name of Alexander Kennedy Isbister, the son of Orkneyman Thomas Isbister and Cree Mary Kennedy, who was born in 1822. Isbister studied at universities in Scotland and England becoming a teacher and writer, completing 21 textbooks.
Among the noteworthy alumni of Isbister School, you will discover Rhodes Scholar Skuli Johnson, local printer Gordon Stovel, and singer/comedian Pat Riordan.
Located at the southwest corner of the school building, a plaque from the Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba gives a history of Isbister School. In 2001, a restoration of the building’s roof was recognized with a Heritage Winnipeg Conservation Award. The building is a municipally-designated historic site.
Principals
Vice-Principals
Teachers
School Year |
Teachers |
1899-1900 |
Miss McDonald, Miss McDougall, Miss Shepperd, Miss L. Stewart, Miss Lane, Miss White, Miss Urquhart |
1900-1901 |
Miss E. E. Rankin, Miss M. F. McDonald, Mrs L. Burch, Miss M. E. J. Young, Miss K. E. Lane, Miss N. Breen, Miss L. White, Miss M. B. Harris |
1901-1902 |
Miss E. E. Rankin, Miss A. Pollar, Miss L. Burch, Miss K. Lane, Miss M. Young, Miss E. Breen, Miss L. White, Miss C. Bastedo, Miss M. B. Harris |
1902-1903 |
Mrs E. E. Rankin, Miss Annie Pollar, Mrs L. Burch, Miss K. Lane, Miss M. E. Young, Miss E. Breen, Miss L. White, Miss E. McVicar, Miss A. C. Harris |
1903-1904 |
Miss Adair, Miss A. Pullar, Miss Burch, Miss Lane, Miss Cole, Miss Breen, Miss White, Miss McVicar, Miss Dickie, Miss Walton |
1904-1905 |
Miss Davis, Miss Matthew, Miss Dickle, Miss McVicar, Miss White, Miss Breen, Miss Cole, Miss Hamilton, Miss A. Pullar, Mrs. Adair |
1905-1906 |
Mrs. Adair, Miss E. Thornton, Miss E. Hamilton, Miss M. Davidson, Miss L. O. Cole, Miss E. Breen, Miss J. Rutherford, Miss A. M. Harris, Miss F. McColl, Miss Ivy Cull |
1906-1907 |
? |
1907-1908 |
Miss E. Munro, Miss T. M. Hamilton, Miss M. Davidson, Miss L. O. Cole, Miss B. Gunne, Miss A. Cole, Miss L. L. Kennedy, Miss F. Hickey, Miss I. Cull, Miss M. Corbett |
1908-1909 |
Miss L. White, Miss M. Corbett, Miss M. Mitchell, Miss E. Hickie, Miss L. L. Kennedy, Miss A. Cole, Miss E. M. Philip, Miss O. Cole, Miss M. Davidson, Miss E. Hamilton |
1909-1910 |
? |
1910-1911 |
Miss E. M. Hamilton, Miss L. O. Cole, Miss E. M. Philp, Miss H. Harper, Miss Edna Talbot, Miss L. L. Kennedy, Miss E. M. Hickie, Miss L. White, Miss E. M. Wright, Miss M. Corbett |
1911-1912 |
Miss E. Hamilton, Miss O. Cole, Miss M. Harper, Miss M. Philip, Miss L. L. Kennedy, Miss M. E. McKinnon, Miss T. H. Hickie, Miss M. Disney, Miss L. White, Mrs. Anderson |
1912-1913 |
Miss Hamilton, Miss Cole, Miss M. Harper, Miss I. Haig, Miss Philp, Miss H. C. Sproule, Miss Kennedy, Miss Disney, Miss White, Mrs. Anderson |
1913-1914 |
Mrs. Blakely, Miss Marie MacNeil, Miss A. McLeod, Miss Helen Tait, Miss M. Disney, Miss L. Kennedy, Miss M. Philip, Miss I. Haig, Miss M. Harper, Miss S. Hamilton |
1914-1915 |
Miss E. Hamilton, Miss M. Harper, Miss I. Haig, Miss E. M. Philp, Miss M. Disney, Miss L. Kennedy, Miss A. McLeod, Miss M. MacNeil, Mrs. E. M. Blakely |
1915-1916 |
E. Hamilton, M. Harper, I. Haig, M. McCharles, M. Disney, L. Kennedy, A. McLeod, M. McNeil, E. N. Blakely |
1916-1917 |
I. T. Haig, M. Hill, M. McCharles, M. E. Disnay, A. L. Kennedy, A. McLeod, M. A. McNeil, F. M. Blakely, J. Sutherland |
1917-1918 |
I. T. Haig, M. Hill, M. McCharles, M. E. Disney, E. McPherson, A. L. Kennedy, A. McLeod, M. A. McNeil, J. Sutherland, C. Milne |
1918-1919 |
I. T. Haig, M. I. Hill, M. McCharles, M. Disney, E. McPherson, E. Kennedy, A. Cairns, G. M. Shewell, M. A. McNeil, E. P. Kent, J. Sutherland, A. L. Williams |
1919-1920 |
E. Caldbeck, M. Forrester, A. B. Grover, E. Kennedy, M. J. Lawton, C. M. Moffatt, M. McCharles, M. A. McNeil, E. McPherson, J. Sutherland |
1920-1921 |
? |
1921-1922 |
E. Brady, E. Caldbick, D. H. Green, I. T. Haig, E. L. Kennedy, M. J. Lawton, M. MacNeil, E. McPherson, G. Rolston, J. Sutherland |
1922-1923 |
E. Corbett, E. Conroy, B. G. Ferguson, I. T. Haig, E. L. Kennedy, M. Lawton, E. McPherson, M. Murray, E. M. Riley, J. Sutherland, Jean Isabel Wellwood |
1923-1924 |
E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, B. G. Ferguson, I. T. Haig, E. L. Kennedy, M. J. Lawton, E. McPherson, M. Murray, M. Onhauser, Elsie Riley, J. Sutherland |
1924-1925 |
E. Caldbick, H. I. Coleman, W. Conroy, B. Ferguson, I. Haig, E. L. Kennedy, E. McPherson, M. Murray, M. Onhauser, Elsie Riley, J. Sutherland |
1925-1926 |
E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, B. Ferguson, I. Haig, E. L. Kennedy, M. Murray, M. McNeil, E. McPherson, E. J. Riley, J. Sutherland |
1926-1927 |
E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, B. Ferguson, M. Forhan, E. V. Hendry, I. Haig, E. Kennedy, M. McNeil, E. McPherson, M. Murray, J. Sutherland |
1927-1928 |
H. Ackland, E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, L. Fogarty, I. T. Haig, E. Kennedy, M. Murray, M. McNeil, E. McPherson, Elsie Riley, J. Sullivan |
1928-1929 |
E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, L. Fogarty, I. T. Haig, E. L. Kennedy, M. MacNeil, E. McPherson, M. Murray, E. M. Riley, J. Sutherland, W. Wolfson |
1929-1930 |
E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, L. J. Fogarty, I. T. Haig, M. M. McNeil, E. McPherson, M. Murray, E. M. Riley, J. Sutherland |
1930-1931 |
E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, V. Eyolfson, L. Fogarty, I. Haig, M. McKinnon, M. Macneil, E. McPherson, M. Murray, E. M. Riley, J. Sutherland |
1931-1932 |
E. Aikenhead, E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, I. Eyolfson, L. Fogarty, I. Haig, E. McPherson, M. MacNeill, M. Murray |
1932-1933 |
E. Caldbick, W. Conroy, V. Eyolfson, L. Fogarty, I. T. Haig, I. Jeffries, M. Macneil, M. Murray, E. Nelson |
1933-1934 |
E. Caldbick, V. C. Eyolfson, L. J. Fogarty, D. H. Green, I. T. Haig, I. K. Jeffries, M. MacNeil, M. Murray, E. T. Nelson, M. Nixton |
1934-1935 |
E. Caldbick, V. Eyolfson, L. Fogarty, D. H. Green, I. T. Haig, I. Jeffries, M. MacNeil, M. Murray, E. T. Nelson, M. Nixon |
1935-1936 |
M. Caldbick, V. Eyolfson, I. Finnie, L. Fogarty, D. Green, I. T. Haig, I. Jeffries, H. Macneil, E. T. Nelson, M. Nixon |
1936-1937 |
E. Caldbick, V. Eyolfson, L. J. Fogarty, D. Green, I. T. Haig, I. K. Jefferies, M. MacNeil, E. T. Nelson, M. H. Nixon |
1937-1938 |
E. Caldbick, V. Eyolfson, L. Fogarty, I. T. Haig, I. K. Jefferies, M. Macneil, E. Nelson, M. Nixon |
1938-1939 |
V. Eyolfson, M. McP. Fraser, D. H. Green, I. Haig, H. Hepworth, I. K. Jefferies, M. Macneil, M. H. Nixon, E. Speer, H. Vandecar |
1939-1940 |
M. E. Cranston, V. Eyolfson, J. McP. Fraser, D. H. Green, I. K. Jefferies, M. A. MacNeill, M. H. Nixon, E. A. Speer |
1940-1941 |
M. Cranson, L. Downing, V. Eyolfson, J. Fraser, D. H. Green, I. K. Jefferies, M. McNeill, M. Nixon, M. Prygrocki |
1941-1942 |
M. Cranson, L. Downing, V. Eyolfson, J. Fraser, D. H. Green, I. Jeffreys, M. Macneil, M. Nixon, M. Prygrocki |
1942-1943 |
M. Cranson, L. Downing, V. Eyolfson, J. McP. Fraser, D. H. Green, I. K. Jeffries, M. Macneil, M. Nixon |
1943-1944 |
C. O. Boyd, M. Cranston, L. M. Downing, J. M. Fraser, D. H. Green, I. K. Jeffries, M. Macneil |
1944-1945 |
? |
1945-1946 |
M. Cranston, G. Crowe, L. M. Downing, J. Fraser, D. H. Green, I. K. Jeffries, E. Steel |
1946-1947 |
Elementary department: G. Crowe, L. M. Downing, D. H. Green, J. M. Fraser, J. Hayes, O. Lestition, M. Page, E. B. Steel. Intermediate department: J. L. Grainger |
1947-1948 |
G. Crowe, J. M. P. Fraser, J. C. Grainger, D. H. Green, G. Kepman, M. Scarfe, E. Sims, E. Townsin |
1948-1949 |
J. D. Campbell, Miss G. Crowe, Miss M. Edwards, Miss G. Kepman, Miss E. C. Peterson, Miss E. Pettypiece, Miss E. Townsin |
1949-1950 |
J. D. Campbell, Miss G. Crowe, Miss K. M. Duffy, Miss G. Kepman, Mrs. H. M. Sargent, Mrs. L. Sawatzky, Mrs. E. Thorne |
1950-1951 |
Miss M. Bunting, Miss G. Crowe, Miss K. M. Duffy, H. C. Harper, Miss G. Kopman, Mrs. H. Sargeant, Mrs. E. Thorne, Mrs. R. F. Turner |
1951-1952 |
Miss A. Borkey, Miss K. Duffy, Miss I. L. Epp, H. Harper, Miss G. Kepman, Mrs. E. Thorne, Mrs. R. F. Tuner |
1952-1953 |
? |
1953-1954 |
Miss M. Hamilton, Miss M. Houston, Mrs. O. Kieshka, Mrs. M. Knudson, Miss M. Page, Mrs. M. Perlmutter, Miss A. Picard, Donald A. Schmidt, Mrs. G. Sibersky |
1954-1955 |
Miss M. W. Hamilton, Mrs. B. Horsburgh, Miss M. Houston, Mrs. O. Kieshka, Mrs. M. A. Knudson, Mrs. M. Perlmutter, Miss A. Picard, Donald A. Schmidt, Mrs. G. Sibersky |
1955-1956 |
C. J. Alward, Miss M. W. Hamilton, Mrs. G. Hill, Mrs. B. Horsburgh, Miss M. Houston, Mrs. O. Kieshka, Mrs. M. Perlmutter, Miss A. Picard, Mrs. G. Sibersky |
1956-1957 |
Mrs. M. Dutton, Miss M. Hamilton, Mrs. B. Horsburgh, Mrs. V. Houghton, Miss M. Houston, Miss A. Jackson, Miss A. Picard, Mrs. G. Sibersky, K. Smith |
1957-1958 |
Miss R. Hamilton, Mrs. B. Horsburgh, Mrs. V. Houghton, Mrs. M. Houston, Miss A. Jackson, Mr. A. Lawson, Mrs. M. McElroy, Mr. M. Pelletier, Miss A. Picard, Mr. K. Smith, Miss O. Uhryniuk |
1958-1959 |
Miss W. Cook, Miss R. Hamilton, Mrs. V. Houghton, Thomas A. Kalichak, Miss M. Leese, Miss S. Maksimow, J. D. M. Pelletier, Miss A. Picard, Miss I. Robertson,Miss O. Uhryniuk |
1959-1960 |
Mrs. H. Evans, Miss R. Hamilton, Mrs. V. Houghton, Thomas A. Kalichak, Mrs. L. Lunney, Miss S. Maksimow, J. D. M. Pelletier, Miss A. Picard, Miss O. Uhryniuk |
1960-1961 |
Irene Gayowsky, Miss R. Hamilton, Mrs. V. Houghton, Thomas A. Kalichak, Mrs. L. Lunney, Miss S. Maksimow, Miss A. Picard, Miss O. Uhryniuk |
1961-1962 |
Mrs. M. Apostle, Irene Gayowsky, Miss R. Hamilton, Mrs. V. Houghton, J. Jaman, Thomas A. Kalichak, Miss M. Maksimow, Miss A. Picard, Miss O. Uhryniuk |
1962-1963 |
Irene Gayowsky, ? |
1963-1964 |
Mrs. M. Apostle, K. Chohan, Miss M. Freeborn, Irene Gayowsky, Mrs. M. Harrison, Mrs. V. Houghton, J. Jaman, Miss D. Kosakwich, Miss A. Picard, Mrs. M. Saxton |
1964-1966 |
Closed |
1966-1967 |
F. Fedoruk, J. Kahana, J. E. Sigurjonsson |
1967-1968 |
D. Curtis, P. Huebner, Mrs. I. Humeny, Dr. D. Jefferson, J. Kahana, P. Koo, J. Kupp, Mrs. M. Lind, Miss R. Martinussen, C. Price, Mrs. D. Pruden, A. Schultz, Mrs. H. Sharmon, S. Sigurdson, J. Sigurjonsson, Mrs. M. Soloway |
1968-1969 |
D. Curtis, Mrs. L. Dimerman, R. G. Duff, P. Huebner, Mrs. I. Humeny, T. Irwin, J. Kahana, P. Koo, Miss M. Leggatt, Mrs. M. Lind, Miss R. Martinussen, H. Paetkau, Mrs. M. J. Phillips, C. Price, Mrs. O. Pruden, Mrs. H. Sharman, S. Sigurdson, J. Sigurjonsson, Mrs. M. Soloway, D. Turner |
Photos & Coordinates

Architectural drawing of Isbister School (no date) Source: Province of Manitoba, Plans and Specifications for Rural Schools, 1903. [Manitoba Legislative Library]

Postcard view of Isbister School (circa 1912)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2012-0055

Isbister School (June 2011) Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Isbister School commemorative plaque (2010) Source: City of Winnipeg

Isbister School (2010) Source: City of Winnipeg
Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89272, W97.15035 denoted by symbol on the map above
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See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Cecil Rhodes School (136 Cecil Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Isbister School No. 500 (RM of Springfield)
Memorable Manitobans: Alexander Kennedy Isbister (1822-1883)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Sources:
“The Isbister School,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 27 September 1898, page 4.
“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.
“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. 12—Isbister,” Manitoba Free Press, 28 October 1922, page 3.
“Isbister early famed for sports, mouth organ band” by Claire Tisdale, Winnipeg Free Press, 27 January 1949.
Isbister School, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
Winnipeg School Division: Celebrating One Hundred Fifty Years, 1871-2021 by Winnipeg School Division, 2021.
We thank the Winnipeg School Division and Reid Dickie for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 4 July 2022
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