SS9 Euphemia Township

This 'stories from the vault', features S.S#9 from Euphemia Township.

Built of brick in 1880, on the southwest corner of Concession 6 and Fansher Road, School Section no. 9's first teacher was Joseph Matthews. Mr. Matthews grew up in rural Barrie Township and received his public school teaching certificate in 1875, before the establishment of the County Model Schools, where teachers were trained. He married Sarah Jane Cross of Euphemia in 1885 and remained teaching in Lambton County until 1919, long before Lambton Kent District School Board was established!

The school itself had numerous improvements over the years including a woodshed, front verandah, metallic ceiling, slate blackboards, a piano, hydro, and even indoor bathrooms. Pupils also enjoyed books from the travelling library in Wyoming and monthly films from the National Film Board. In January 1965, the school became part of the Euphemia Township School Area and students were transferred to Florence beginning in September, until the new Central school opened in November. On September 5th, 1965 about 200 former students and teachers gathered at the school to share a final farewell with a quaint afternoon picnic.

This image is pulled from the book Euphemia Township History 1849-1999, published by the Euphemia Township Historical Society in June 1999. The caption on the image reads: Students attending S.S. #9 in 1948 were (back row) Richard Nebesniuk, Ronald McDonald, Betty Carroll, Margaret Pucsek, Myrna Card, Allan Cross, Donald Cross and (front) Donnie Jones, Luella Card, Ida Card, Gloria Jean Clark, Shirley Welsh, Janet Carroll, Ann Marie Coleman and Carol Carroll with teacher Mrs. Hardacre.