Toronto Street School

Toronto Street School. . , Central School was built in June of 1887 to accommodate the nearly 100 children of Medicine Hat. Built over six lots on Toronto Street at cost of $3,000, the school opened in 1889, with only the bottom portion of the building occupied. , The school was heated by four coal furnaces, held drinking water in a large storage tank and had outdoor privies. The janitor lived in the building. , In 1892, the upper storey of the building was completed with room for two more classes, yet within five years Central School was badly overcrowded. A large addition containing two classrooms was built by H. C. Yuill and opened in early 1900. , In 1901, the school was connected to the town's water line, and in 1902 was lighted by natural gas. , By 1904, the old wing was removed due to overcrowding and deterioration and a large annex containing four classrooms was added. The renovated school, renamed Toronto Street School, included steam heating and plumbing when it reopened in 1905. , The opening of Montreal Street School in 1905 took some pressure off Toronto Street School, a sturdy, practical structure that would continue to serve the children of Medicine Hat until 1960.