We’re going to spend the next couple of weeks in our local history feature, tracing the history of Cochrane High School. It’s based on a program from a 1997 reunion that’s in the archives at the public library.
Back in 1927, classes were held at Lakeview Hall, owned by the Knights of Columbus.
Archivist Ardis Proulx-Chedore reads from the program, that a handful of sites were identified on which a school could be built.
“Although the eventual site beside the lake was deemed not large enough, the town fathers decided to accept the recommendation of the inspector of high schools that it could be extended and therefore be suitable.”
Construction began immediately and the new building opened in January, 1928.
Just over a year after it opened, the T&NO stopped pumping from the lake, and the water saturated the gymnasium.
Proulx-Chedore picks up the story:
“At this point there was much talk of Cochrane’s “floating high school”. However, it was rectified by building a terrace in front of the building and filling up the part of the lake immediately behind it.”
More in the weeks to come, including the move to the current location of ESCHS, and the names of principals of the past.