Princeton School Fire

In January 1949, a destructive blaze gutted the Princeton Continuation School.

By Liz Dommasch, Archivist

Plans began in March 1894 to build the new Union School at Princeton which would combine the School Sections No. 3 Burford and No. 21 Blenheim. Located at the east end of Elgin Street, the school was modeled after the school in St. George with double red brick walls, a large chimney, two furnaces, and a slate roof. A bell, purchased from Duncan K. Fair, was hung in the belfry located at the front of the building. Built by Clarkson Brothers the school also consisted of two large classrooms upstairs and two recreation rooms downstairs. Completed at the cost of approximately $6,000, classes were moved to the new school in February 1895.

In January 1912, the school became a continuation school with George L. Brackenburg, as principal and senior teacher, while Myrtle Edminston and Marie Stales were hired as elementary school teachers. Two years later, a fourth room was required for teaching when the Continuation School hired a second teacher, M.D. McDonald. The Continuation School used the upstairs rooms to teach grades eight to twelve, while the public school used the downstairs rooms. In 1930, under Principal E.L. Crossley, the two schools were separated, with grades one to eight being taught downstairs.

On the evening of January 12, 1949, a fire, which was believed to have originated in the basement, gutted the recently renovated 70-year-old structure. The fire was first noticed by School Trustee Charles Austin, about 6:45 pm, who notified the Princeton Fire Department. Sadly, it was soon discovered that the local chemical fire truck wasn’t working and fire departments from both Woodstock and Paris were contacted and quickly responded to the scene.

Three young boys holding a sign that reads “danger keep back” in front of the Princeton Continuation School following a fire that destroyed the building. – 12 January 1949. COA123 3-122

The volunteer bucket brigade headed by Fire Chief Roy Carson led hundreds of district residents in a gallant but losing battle to save the building. The Woodstock Sentinel-Review reported that eight or ten milk trucks were kept busy from the time of the outbreak to around 10 o’clock carrying water in milk cans to the fire engines, which poured hundreds of gallons on the blaze. Although the building was ultimately destroyed, they were able to keep the fire from spreading despite high winds.

Men on Princeton fire truck. – [before January 1950]. COA123 4-21

Temporary teaching quarters were found in the Memorial Library, I.O.O.F. Hall, Anglican Parish Hall and the United Church Basement to house the 128 pupils that attended the school at the time. On September 1, 1949, the high school pupils were sent by bus to Woodstock and the new modern Princeton School was used solely for elementary students.

Two cars parked in front of the Princeton Continuation School following a fire that destroyed the building. – 12 January 1949. COA123 3-125