Events in Manitoba History: Manitoba’s Rural School Consolidation (1905-1967)

The first consolidation of schools in rural Manitoba took place in 1905, at Virden and Holland. Subsequently, the number of consolidations occurring annually increased, as shown by statistics compiled by the Manitoba Department of Education [2].

Year

Schools Districts [3]

1905

Holland, Virden

...

 

1909

Brickburn (Gilbert Plains), Brigdenley, Dauphin, Elphinstone, Melita, Starbuck, Teulon

1910

Darlingford, Kelwood, St. Andrews, St. Patrick, Snowflake, Sperling, Warren

1911

Birtle, Goose Lake, Justice, Langruth, Moore Park, Rivers, Roseisle, Solsgirth, Waukeemo

1912

Decker, Elgin, Hamiota, Hazelridge, Lyleton, Manitou, McConnell, Shellmouth, Whitemouth

1913

Benito, Bield, Brant, Dominion City, Durban, Fairfax, Flora, Lundar, Makaroff, Merridale, Miniota, Oak Bluff, Palestine, Sanford, Strathclair, Tummel, Valley

1914

Alpine, Balmoral, Carroll, Kenton, Lenore, Rosenort, Stockton

1915

Bradwardine, Brookdale, Cameron, Cardale, Gunton, Ross, Rutherglen

1916

Eden, Foxwarren, Wellwood

1917

Belmont, Berton, Manson, Miami, Newdale, Oak River, Plumas, St. James

1918

Crandall, Elm Creek, Graysville, Oakner, Woodnorth

1919

Arden, Bethany, Dand, Deleau, Ebor, Glenholm, Grosse Isle, Harding, Kane, Myrtle, Rothesay, Wingham, Woodlands

1920

Brunkild, Lauder, Lavinia, McConnell, Mountainside, Pipestone, Stephenfield

1921

Clarkleigh, Deloraine, Roseneath

...

 

1935

Point Douglas

...

 

1950

East St. Paul

1951

Binscarth, Charleswood

1952

Clearwater-Cypress

1953

Domain

1954

Margaret, Raven Lake, Roland

1955

Carman, Headingley

1956

Rathwell, Shoal Lake

1957

Dunrea, Fannystelle

1958

Broomhill, Crystal City, Cypress River, Kronsthal, Ridgeville, Rossburn, St. Jean Baptiste, St. Norbert, Waskada

1959

Altamont, Emerson, Glenboro, Holmfield, Kelsey, Lowe Farm, Mariapolis, McCreary, Medora, Napinka, Oakburn, Richard, Sandy Lake, Seven Oaks, St. Alphonse, Ste. Anne, St. Hyacinthe, St. Joachim, St. Lazare, St. Leon Village, Ste. Marie, Swan Lake, Treherne

1960

Baldur, Elie, Glenora, Happy Thought, Hartney, Inverness, Laurier, Lena, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Rosebank, St. Claude, Ste. Agathe, St. Francois Xavier, Ste. Rose du Lac, Souris

1961

Dandurand, Niverville, Rapid City, Ste. Elizabeth, St. Pierre, St. Vincent de Paul, Thornhill, Wawanesa

1962

Carberry, Cloverfield, Erickson, Fork River, Lac du Bonnet, LaRiviere, Macdonald, Minto, Nesbitt, Onanole, Otterburne, St. George

1963

Clandeboye, Dale Prospect, High Bluff, Morris, Ochre River, St. Eustache, St. Malo, Spruce Hills

1964

Arnaud, Buttrum, Dugald, Elkhorn, Ethelbert, Frontenac, Halbstadt, Makinak, Oak Bank, Pilot Mound, Reston, Rossendale

1965

Anola, Austin, Goodlands, Halton, Iles des Chenes, MacGregor, Morden, New Hope, Rosenfeld, Sprague

1966

Arborg, Brokenhead, Garson-Tyndall, Lorette, Pine River, Riverton, Sinclair

1967

Altona, Gladstone, Grandview, Gretna, Inglis, Oak Lake, Plum Coulee, Prairie Central, Russell

A Union School District was defined as one comprised of consolidated schools from two or more adjoining rural municipalities, or a rural municipality and an adjoining village or town.

By the end of December 1917, there were 74 consolidated school districts in Manitoba. The movement continued through the years, reaching its peak during the 1960s when the majority of one-room rural schools were closed and their students were bussed to larger, better-equipped schools in nearby towns.

See also:

Manitoba’s Rural School Designs

History in Manitoba Schools and Universities

Memorable Manitobans: School Inspectors of Manitoba

Events in Manitoba History: School Divisions Boundaries Commission (1958-1959)

Events in Manitoba History: School Divisions (1959)

Sources:

1. Consolidation of Rural Schools in Manitoba: Special Report of the Department of Education for the Year 1912, Manitoba Legislative Library, Manitoba SpR 1912 Rural Schools.

2. Consolidation of Rural Schools in Manitoba: Special Report of the Department of Education for the Year Ending June 30, 1917, Manitoba Legislative Library, Manitoba SpR 1917 Rural Schools.

3. “Consolidated school movement has made progress in Manitoba”,Manitoba Free Press, 25 June 1912, page 22.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 27 August 2020