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Come learn about the history of Hurdville and some mysterious stories
Come learn about the history of Hurdville and some mysterious stories
A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE “As I Recall” My Hurdville School Memories By Fern Harris
A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE “As I Recall” My Hurdville School Memories By Fern Harris
I am a lifelong resident of Hurdville/McKellar and I attended the Hurdville School from 1953 to 1961. In 1961 it was officially closed and the students were sent to Waubamik, a two-room school, for one year and then transferred to the new MacDougall School on Highway 124. The kids that lived within a couple of miles, walked or rode their bikes to school. I had a pony which I rode to school from time to time but it was a one-way trip as it would run back to the farm as soon as I jumped off! My real life Hurdville journey begins with my mother’s family. Alexander Hardie came to Canada from Scotland in 1864 and was keen to have a school where all fifteen of his children could get an education The original school was a 24 x 18 ft. log building built in 1872. This school was in use until the current building was erected in 1898 which is the building that I was schooled in. One daughter, Mary Alexander (Hardie) taught at the school and the second eldest Hardie son was on the school board. He also boarded a number of the teachers who taught at the school meaning those teachers had a two mile walk morning and night to the school and in winter conditions often causing them to tread through waist deep snow. My mother, Ellen Harris (Hardie) attended the Hurdville School from 1922 to 1930. She was a very shy kid and described her teacher, Mr. Wyatt, as terrifying and would have preferred to stay home. However, her father being a member of the school board, he made sure she attended classes. It was difficult for a teacher to be able to teach, and keep discipline, in the class room with 42 students ranging in age from 6 to 17/18 years old. Very few teachers made it through a full year and many were replaced by spare teachers who found it even more difficult to handle the class. Mrs. Jackson, a spare teacher, thought that maybe a good strapping would help, but after 42 slaps on one of the older boy’s hands she gave up as he was still laughing! I can only hope it was better for the teachers in the earlier years when students appreciated the opportunity to get an education. Hurdville School was only one room, accommodating 42 children. It was heated by a large barrel stove in the middle of the classroom with a stovepipe running the length of the room, that helped to heat the large room. There was a male and female privy attached to the rear of the building which was in the area of the present kitchen facilities. The school served both the Townships of McKellar and McDougall as the survey lines runs through the middle of the building. The kids thought the best part of the school was the large yard with huge spruce trees running down the south side of the yard, which provided shade. There was a low fence also, where we kids could climb over and escape to the bush when the bell rang and we were out of the teacher’s reach! The hill out in front of the school provided a nice toboggan run down to the lake in winter and in summer the closing day of school celebration was held on the rocks near the lake. By Fern Harris
Sometime after the school closure the McDougall-McKellar-Hurdville-Broadbent Community Club was formed by a number of community members hoping to maintain the school building in September 1974. The Club is now known as the Hurdville Community Club and the school was renamed the Hurdville Community Hall in 1993. Since the school’s closing it has been used by various community groups, ie The Hurdville and Broadbent Ladies Group, The Victory Club, The Anglers and Hunters Club and there are still ongoing functions at the Hall. It is currently being taken care of by a group of volunteers from the Hurdville Community Club maintaining its integrity. They host Pancake Breakfasts, weekly Euchre games, musical entertainment, family reunions, etc.
I, along with other long time community members, belong to, and volunteer at the Hurdville Community Club.
'Anything helps' 125 year old Hurdville Community Hall in need of major renovation
'Anything helps' 125 year old Hurdville Community Hall in need of major renovation
L to R Denny Hare, Julie Hare, Rob Tait, Joyce Michaelis, Fern Harris, Denise LeClair
The building served as a schoolhouse for more than 60 years before being taken over by the community. A former one-room schoolhouse turned community hub is seeking funds for critical improvements to prolong the lifespan of the building.
Nestled on top of rock overlooking Manitouwabing Lake, the hall has stood 125 years in Hurdville. The current building still features the original rock foundation and wood siding from 1898 when the building was constructed to replace the former log schoolhouse constructed in 1872. The schoolhouse remained in operation from 1898 until it closed in 1962. More than 10 years after the school's closure, the building was put into the hands of the community and later renamed the Hurdville Comunity Hall in 1993. Former students, like Fern Harris and older sister Joyce Michaelis, remained in the community and are ever present at Hurdville Community Club and in keeping the building going. Board members hope the community will come together once again to help with some major renovations. Top of the wish list is a drilled well, septic system, foundation repairs, indoor washrooms, kitchen equipment and hydro upgrades. Over time, the club has managed to raise close to $10,ooo from fundraising efforts, like friday night euchre, pancake breakfasts, yard sales and bottle drives. We are seeking an additional $25k to check off some of the things on our wish list. Along with the GoFundMe, the community can support the hall by attending the events offered and show your love for this little community.
" A little can go a long way"
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS The Hurdville Hall started life as a one room school in 1872 serving pupils from both McKellar and McDougall townships. Originally it was a 24 x 18 ft log building. The first teacher from 1872 to 1874 was Elizabeth Thompson. This school was in use until the current building was erected in 1898. The new school is a frame building 38 x 22 ft. It was in continuous use from 1898 until 1962 when the school board closed it and all the pupils were transferred to the McDougall school on Hwy 124. It is interesting to note that former students of the Hurdville school continue to live in the community and are currently members of the Hurdville Community club.
After the school closure, the Mcdougall-McKellar-Hurdville-Broadbent community Club was formed in 1974 by number of community members hoping to maintain the building. The club is now known as the Hurdville Community Club and the school was renamed the Hurdville Hall in 1993. On August 22, 1998 the Hurdville Community Club hosted an event to celebrate the 100th birthday of the schoolhouse. This year is our 125th anniversary. Over the years many improvements were made thanks to community fundraising efforts and a lot of hard work by volunteers. The original fundraising was done through having a annual strawberry supper and during hunting season, the annual hunter's supper as well as a number of smaller events. In addition, the hall is rented out for private events.
Fundraising activities are still ongoing at the Hurdville Hall. Currently the hall hosts euchre games every Friday night all year round. The annual hunter's supper is held every year. Pancake breakfasts are held on the Sunday of all the summer long weekends and have become a very popular event. Giant yard sales are held throughout the year both inside and outside the hall. There are music concerts at the hall with local artists providing the entertainment both inside and outside the hall from spring to fall. The proceeds from these activities go toward the upkeep and improvements for this very important community landmark. With your help we can make things happen.
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