Then: Simcoe Street School

There were two early schools in the Niagara River area, but when the village of Elgin amalgamated with Clifton in 1857, the new school board decided to construct a school for the children from both villages. Simcoe Street, named in honour of John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada was their chosen location, and an acre of land was purchased from Monty Crysler. Simcoe Street School was a modest 2-storey red brick building, with the upper story used by the live-in teacher-principal, who had yard work, fire-tending and Bible study responsibilities as well as teaching students of all grades.

The town grew rapidly, and additional classrooms were added to the school in 1874, 1886, 1889, 1895 and 1902. A kindergarten was opened in 1899, but closed two years later due to lack of space.

The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in January 1957, with a gala including dignitaries, reminiscences, school choirs, refreshments and dancing. By the late 1960s, a more modern building was needed.

Now: Simcoe Street Public School

In 1970, after 113 years of service, a new Simcoe Street School was built beside the old one, which was then torn down to make room for a playground. Alumni and "historic-minded persons" were invited to purchase bricks from the demolished building at five cents each.

District School Board of Niagara. 2021. Simcoe Street Public School. https://simcoestreet.dsbn.org/

Niagara Falls Public Library. 2017. Niagara Falls - Then & Now: A Photographic Journey Through The Years. [Historic Location Name/ Contemporary Location Name].

Niagara Falls Then and Now
A collaborative project
Niagara Falls Museums - Niagara Falls Public Library - Dept. of Geography and Tourism Studies,Brock University.
Original newspaper series by Sherman Zavitz, Official Historian for the City of Niagara Falls from 1994 - 2019.

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