This water pump stands in a bed on the front lawn of the old Canoe Cove School. We can state with certainty that it is not original, as it is a "Dominion" model pump, manufactured in Canada by Beatty Bros. Ltd., of Fergus, Ontario and not patented until 1940, 90 years after the construction of the school. The pumps were designed to be operated by hand or by a windmill.
The school was built in 1850 and likely continued in use until 1968. It was that year in which school consolidation forced the closure of many small rural schools as, thereafter, students were bussed to larger schools in larger communities. In 1973 the school was bought by the Canoe Cove Women's Institute and the interior redecorated. The exterior was apparently still in reasonable condition. The Women's Institute continues to occupy the old school today. They meet the first Monday of every month at the Schoolhouse.
South Shore School was established in Canoe Cove in 1820, an indication of the value the inhabitants placed on education. Whatever that first school was, it apparently served the community until the construction of this building in 1850. Through its history it has served not only as the community's only school, but also as a community meeting and entertainment hall from time to time.
The school was immortalized by artist
Robert Harris, with his painting of the interior of the school entitled
School House at Canoe Cove.
Brothers George and Matthew Beatty started the company Beatty Brothers Limited in Fergus in 1874 in the Temperance Hall building on St. Andrew St. West, Fergus. In 1879 they moved to the factory located on the northwest corner of Queen and St. David Streets (now referred to as the Fergus Market building) where they manufactured farm machinery and would eventually manufacture everything from barn and stable equipment, to pumps, churns, washers, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, ladders, barn door track and grain grinders...
...George Beatty (1845-1921) was the inventor and in charge of production while Matthew (1836-1884) was in charge of sales and canvassing from farm to farm. After Matthew died, George carried on alone until 1901 when his sons William George (1877-1957) and Milton James (1879-1940) joined the business. William was in charge of the plant and production while Milton handled sales and collections. In 1911 the Hill Street factory was built in Fergus. In 1912 they
bought out Wortman and Ward of London, Ontario, manufacturers of pumps, hay carriers, daisy churns and hand washers. This deal put Beatty's in the pump and washer business...
Read on at the Wellington County Museum & Archives
Canoe Cove School
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The former Canoe Cove School is located in the rural community of Canoe Cove, PEI. The one and one half storey wood shingled building is located near the highway with a backdrop of trees. The registration includes the footprint of the building.
HERITAGE VALUE
The former Canoe Cove School was built in approximately the year 1850. A school had been established in the area as early as 1820. The school is significant as a well preserved example of a rural school in PEI and because of its association with Island artist, Robert Harris (1849-1919). Harris used the school as the theme of his 1880 painting "School House at Canoe Cove" which provides a rare glimpse into the interior of a typical 19th Century PEI schoolhouse. Another of Harris' famous works, "The Meeting of the Trustees", was based on an event at nearby Long Creek School in the neighbouring community. Unfortunately, that building has not survived. The Canoe Cove school building has survived remarkably intact except for the removal of three windows from the east wall which were added to the west wall. Today, it is operated as a community centre by the local Canoe Cove Community Association.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
- the high pitched gabled roof with end chimney
- the wooden shingled exterior
- the style of the bargeboards
- the front and back porches
- the size, style, and placement of the windows and doors
- the distinctive signage on the front elevation of the front porch
From Historic Places Canada