North Red Deer Cottage School - Red Deer, AB
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member T0SHEA
N 52° 16.795 W 113° 49.474
12U E 307323 N 5795930
Once a Grade one to eight elementary school, this 1911 school is now, believe it or not, a high school.
Waymark Code: WMZ36G
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 09/03/2018
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member TeamBPL
Views: 1

In front of what may well be the oldest school in Alberta still in use is a large boulder with a bronze plaque attached. The purpose of the plaque is to mark the 75th anniversary of both the incorporation of the Village of North Red Deer and the construction of this school. While the Village of North Red Deer no longer exists as an entity, having been absorbed into the City of Red Deer, the school is still with us and still used as a school, albeit with a 23 year hiatus.

Construction on this, and an identical school in South Red Deer, commenced in 1911, with the school opening for the 1912 school year. Remaining in the Alberta School system until 1966, the building may have been vacant until 1989, in which year it became part of the Alternative School of the Red Deer Public School District. The school provides flexibility with coursework and attendance that differs from a traditional school setting, allowing many to attend high school who could not otherwise due to work or other unusual circumstances.

With the peak of the immigration boom between 1910 and 1913, classroom space proved to be inadequate and the Red Deer Protestant Public School Board decided to build two identical cottage schools, one on either side of the river. Constructed in 1911, the low-cost, wood-frame buildings were much like the temporary, pre-war cottage schools erected in Calgary and Edmonton. Architect C.A. Julian Sharman adapted the simple, two storey design to meet local requirements and the firm of Baird and Mackenzie was awarded the construction contract, the building's final cost coming to $3,925.00.

An Alberta Historical marker stands in front of the school, bearing the following text.
North Red Deer Cottage School
The North Red Deer Cottage School was completed in 1912, and the first class of 32 students was taught by one teacher. The school closed in 1966; however, it re-opened over 20 years later, and today it serves as North Cottage High School.

This style of two-storey, two-room cottage school was common in Alberta; it was based on a Provincial Department of Education architectural plan and designed by C.A. Julian Sharman. Originally, the school was faced with wood siding and a full porch with decorative fascia trim. Several improvements were added over the years, including a fire escape in 1929, electricity in 1936 and indoor plumbing in 1949.

North Red Deer Cottage School is one of the few remaining structures that dates back to the founding of North Red Deer as a village, and it is one of the oldest school buildings in Alberta. It is designated as a Municipal Historic Resource.
Subject: Town

Commemoration: 75th Anniversary

Date of Founding: 6/13/1911

Date of Commemoration: June 13, 1986

Address:
5704 60 Street
Red Deer, AB
Canada, T4N 6V6


Overview Photograph:

Yes


Detail Photograph:

Yes


Web site if available: [Web Link]

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