Providence Bay Area Schools

They were each originally constructed as one room school houses which occupied all grades.

The community of School Section Number 7 in Carnarvon Township extended a distance of approximately six miles. The school was located in the centre of the section - approximately being five miles east of Providence Bay.

S.S. No. 7 Kay Town School was built in 1913 by Mr. Wm. Charters for the sum of $395.00. Mr. Charters served in the social life for church services and concerts. The first Board of Trustees were John Kay, Daniel Kay, and Wm. Dewar. David Hopkins was secretary.

Later in 1920 William Dewar was appointed secretary-treasurer and rendered faithful service until his retirement in 1942, the vacancy being filled by his son Mr. Reginald Dewar.

Due to the lack of attendance, the school closed its doors for the last time in June 1951.

The students where then bused to S.S.No.6 in Providence Bay starting in the fall of 1951.

The building still stands today and is privately owned. While driving East down the Government Road the old schoolhouse simply looks like a garage on the right hand side.

School Photo's

S.S. No. 6

School Section Number 6 was located on McNevin Street Lots 11, 12 & 13 and on Garland Street Lots 11,12 & 13.

The School was opened around 1890 or 1891. Some of the early teachers were: Maria Hubbard, Victor McLennan, Farquhar McCrae who later became Crown attorney for the Manitoulin District, Reuben Cranston, Cameron Bell, Pearl Turnbull, Helen McGillivray, Bertram Dunlop, Annie McDermid, Elmer Black, Muriel (Gordon) Cameron, Lottie Mae McDonald.

In 1935-1936 a second class room was built.

In those days there was approximately 65 students attending school. When Central Manitoulin Public School was opened in Mindemoya, S.S. No. 6 was closed and the students were bused to Mindemoya.

The building was purchased as a residence by Gordon & Jean Jull.

Charlene Hartwell purchased the building in 1988 and operated as The School House Restaurant.

The School House Restaurant is presently operated by Greg and Heather Nevin as a fine dining restaurant.

School Photo's

S.S. No. 2

School Section Number 2 is located south of Monument Corner towards Providence Bay.

The original school was constructed out of logs in the late 1800's on the same lot but a little to the west. The log school served its purpose until a newer school was built around 1900. This new school was to be the last one built here and the building still remains standing in the year 2005.

Alot of changes and repairs were made to the school house over the years. The greatest upgrade being hydro. The school was wired and the lights were turned on December 16, 1948. With the hydro now in the school, a radio and a hot plate where purchased. Students where able to have a hot lunch with the hot plate now added.

A new front porch was added to the school in September 1951 changing the appearance of the school.

In 1951 the school could have easily been burned due to a lightning strike. The strike hit the radio antenna and entered the school causing the radio to short circuit. Witness's state that there were flames coming from the radio. A rear window was smashed with the pressure of the blast during the same incident.

A new fence and gate were newly constructed around the school yard in 1948 replacing the old ones. Around 1950 work began on the construction of a basement for the school. During that winter it was extremely cold to be a student and teacher with no windows in the basement. Snow and water had gotten in and produced a pond in the basement that was over a foot thick. The floor in the basement was not completed until 1953.

During the school's years of being open it was used not only for teaching, but for community concerts as well.

The school was officially closed in 1959 sending the students the following school season to S.S. No 6.

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