HISTORY OF SCHOOLS IN WALKERVILLE

1858
Hiram Walker established his community. Children attend the one-room school in S.S. 1, Township of Sandwich East, located on the river road where Riverview Hospital stood (see story page 9).

1880
Hiram Walker provided the land at the corner of Wyandotte and Devonshire (on which today stands the Kelly Funeral Home) and erected a two-story frame structure. Ornamental shrubs and a lawn, enclosed "within a handsome fence" surrounded it. It remained in service for 6 years.

1904
The increase in population had resulted in an enrollment of nearly 300, crowding the eight-room Walkerville Public School. The school board purchased the block of land bounded by Victoria and Windermere Roads, Cataraqui and Niagara Streets, from Charles Chilver who owned the eastern half of the block, and Chandler Merrill Walker, a nephew of Hiram, the owner of the western half. Albert Kahn, the leading Detroit architect who had designed many buildings for the Walker's, was asked to plan a modern school building of 14 classrooms, an assembly room, a school-board room, offices for the principal and nurse.

1905
Construction of new school begins in April. The cornerstone was laid on Empire Day, May 23, and the school named by Mrs. E. Chandler Walker in honour of the reigning King, Edward the Seventh.

1906
The building was completed in March by Vic Williamson, contractor at a cost of $50,000. Three-day holiday for pupils while furniture brought over to new school. Old school demolished, and in its place, Dr. Charles A. Hoare, the Walkerville treasurer, medical officer of health, and school board treasurer, erects a large home and office, since incorporated into the Kelly Funeral Home. First principal is Hugh M. Beaton, first teachers are all women: Martha Macivor, Jennie Nesbitt, Annie Smith, Margaret Redman, Mabel Russell, Lulu Russell, Martha Fitch, Margaret Tuer.

1929
Due to overcrowding, new school built in South Walkerville. Named after Hugh Beaton (King Edward's first principal, 1906-1917) .

1992
Renovation Scheme put forward for King Edward ­ cost would be nearly $4 million.

1993
Demolition and Rebuilding Scheme proposed and accepted due to concerns that King Edward is a fire hazard and too expensive to upgrade.

1993-95
Demolition of school and construction of new school takes place on same site. Students are bussed to Edith Cavell on Glidden in Riverside.

1995
New school completed and furnished at a cost of $7.4 million.

The Architects: Mason-Rice & the Legend of Albert Kahn