Humboldt Schools

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The supplying of school facilities was one of the first important problems confronting the early citizens of the town. To meet the situation a school district was organized with J. G. Yoerger, George Ritz and E. Walker as trustees.

The question of a building was solved when the leaders of the newly built Presbyterian Church agreed to permit the church to be used temporarily as a school until a school building could be erected. This co-operative spirit resulted in a school being opened without delay with Miss Scanlan and Miss Lyons as the teaching staff.

Later, plans were prepared for a school building, 32 x 40 feet, with two stories erected on the school section number 29 adjoining the townsite at the northeast corner. It was completed and ready for occupation on the opening of the fall term in 1907.

On the opening of the school year in 1908, the enrollment totalled 63 pupils, 32 boys and 31 girls.

Mr. J. V. Reilly, appointed in 1909, with headquarters at Humboldt, was the first Inspector in the Humboldt district.

In 1910, a Teachers Institute was formed, the first since Humboldt became the centre of an Inspectorate. The Principal of the Provincial Normal School, assisted by some of the members of the teaching staff conducted a series of meetings in the school which drew a large attendance. Later, a reception was held by the Town Council.

In 1912, the present Public School was erected at a cost of $65,000 and the former building was converted into a high school.

In 1916, the enrollment had reached a total of 196, with a staff of six teachers.

THE SEPARATE SCHOOL

The Humboldt Separate School District was organized on October 15, 1906, as the result of a general meeting of rate payers, with Mr. Fred Heidgerken, Mr. F. I. Hauser, and Mr. Albert Ecker as trustees.

A school building of frame construction was erected on the property donated by Mr. W. Kohle which was part of the south east of Section 30 - 37 - 22 W2. The enrollment continued to increase to such an extent that by 1925 the school was enlarged to consist of two buildings with an enrollment of 200. In 1927 the Ursuline Sisters of Bruno were in a position to join the teaching staff of the school in Humboldt. At first only three sisters were available and Mr. LeBlanc, Principal at the time, continued as such and an additional lay teacher was engaged.

In 1936, a new school was constructed west of the church at a cost of $30,000 from plans supplied by architects Story and Van Egmond of Regina. The brick building, 72 x 80, is of modern design, two stories in height, providing six class rooms.

The new school was officially opened on October 26, 1936, with all school officials and children present, including Mr. J. H. McKechnie, Deputy Minister of Education, and Mr. G. R. Hutchings, Inspector of Schools for the district.

(Excerpts taken from The Humboldt Story, Humboldt Board of Trade, 1954.)

You may wish to read some Humboldt Journal Articles related to this subject:

Building Active In Humboldt

Fire Guts School

New School District Formed

There are also some Down Memory Lanes pertaining to this topic:

Rules For Female Teachers - 1915

Humboldt's First School