Historical Burlington - Fairfield Public School
I have enjoyed many of the “Historical Hamilton” series of caches over the years, they have brought me to many interesting spots. Hamilton is not the only city with a rich history, Burlington has one as well. That’s why I’ve started this series of caches - based on the “Historical Hamilton” series. This is the second one. Please feel free to add to this series of caches, it does not need to be limited to one owner. If you know of a historic place in Burlington to which you would like to bring people, feel free to add it to the series!
Fairfield Public School
The following Information was copied from the brochure issued for Fairfield's 75th anniversary 1913-1988
The earliest school, a frame building contained two rows of forms with an aisle up the middle. Three backless seats ranged on each side of the teacher’s platform were for the primary classes.
About 1868 the two school sections #1 & #2 East Flamboro united to build a new modern school on the boundary of the two sections. This school, now torn down, was on the present Howard Road opposite Tower’s store. This school was considered one of the finest within a radius of forty miles. A junior room was added to the school to accommodate increased attendance.
In 1913 Fairfield School was built at a cost of $25,000. Messrs, Unsworth, Reycraft and Smille were the trustees at that time. (Interesting, check out the street names in the area.) Mr. Armes designed this present modern four room school with an up-to-date water system for flush toilets and drinking fountains. This was an innovation for 1913. The school grounds were, in the early 1900’s, part of the race track for the Hendrie Stables.
In 1925 an additional acre of land enlarged the school grounds. In 1920 equipment for the teaching of Manual Training and Household Science was purchased. Hot lunch was provided at noon for children who lived some distance from school.
In 1945 another four room addition was completed along with an assembly room on the lower floor. The first Kindergarten classes for the whole Aldershot area began in the 1951-1952 year. In 1953 increased attendance due to new homes built in several surveys necessitated another four room addition with a modern Kindergarten room.
In 1966 Fairfield lost its grade 7 and 8 classes to Maplehurst and became a K-6 school under the “new” middle school – junior school plan proposed by the former Burlington Board of Education.
During the early 80’s declining enrollments threatened the very existence of Fairfield. However, in more recent years the enrollment has begun increasing steadily and projections show it should continue well into the 1990’s.
Note: A school that once boasted 500 pupils had just 42 when it was closed. Despite many battles between community members and the Halton Public School Board and the City, Fairfield
Thanks to J. Downey, 18 Feb 2019, for providing the above information
To locate the final cache, visit the posted coordinates and collect the necessary information from the panels found there, some of the questions are also answered by reading the description above. (Always remember to read the Cache Page)
Final Coordinates N 43 1A.BCD W 079 5W.XYZ
A = The year Fairfield Celebrated its 75th anniversary, 19 _ _ (third digit)
B = The last digit (fourth) in the year equipment for the teaching of Manual Training and Household Science was purchased.
C = ALDERSHOT JUL 27 _ _ ONT (Second digit of the two missing here)
D = Number of students sitting in the front row of the school photo minus 5
W = The year the school was closed, (fourth digit)
X = Number of Classrooms the school opened with (plus 2)
Y = Second digit of the year Fairfield Public School was closed
Z = Fairfield P.S. was originally S.S. # ___, minus 1
There is an additional Reference Point provided, that will lead you to the stone header, and sitting area that once sat above the front door entrance to Fairfield Public School. Why not drop by for a visit, and find the other cache in that area; “Hat’s off to Fairfield” GC4PK8E N 43° 17.753 W 079° 51.812
Good Luck and Happy Multi-Caching!