History
In 1885, Dr. James Brien proposed and received strong support for the establishment of a new High School in Essex Centre. On March 14, 1885, the first meeting of the School Board took place at Peck's Hall led by James Naylor as chairman; and J.S. Laird, S.G. Thomas, C.E. Jones, John Milne, and W.H. Russell.
Classes started August 31 in the old church behind the railroad station on Medora Avenue, which had been used by the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were 18 students and two teachers in the first year.
Captain Albert Jones offered part of Lot 284 consisting of 31⁄4 acres of his land for the building site for the new school which cost $10,000.00. It was a two-storey red brick structure measuring 64' × 67', with three classrooms on both floors, a basement, and an attic all heated with wood stoves. Essex High School officially opened in 1888, accommodating 200 students.
In 1889, the Lyceum, a Literary Society was organized and the Argus (the first school magazine) began. Since attendance reached 59 students, a third teacher was hired. High School Cadets were first organized in 1898. By 1904, Essex High School was highly acclaimed for its well equipped gym. In 1920, an addition to the school costing $5,000.00 was built and there were six teachers on staff
A fire on Tuesday, February 14, 1921, destroyed the school. All that was saved were the guns and uniforms of the cadets. All records, science and chemistry apparati and books were burned.
Essex Free Press article February 18, 1921
"The fire had started about 7:45 in the old furnace room. The Janitor had reported that he had gone to the school and filled the furnace with coal, banking it up well and leaving about 7:15 p.m. About 7:45 p.m. his wife called his attention to a light in the school building and he hurried over to same. On opening the furnace room door, the smoke poured out so dense he could not enter, whereupon he ran to the front door, intending to use the phone and turn in a fire alarm. The smoke was also so thick in that section that he feared to go in so went over to J. Baldwin and phoned the waterworks. The alarm was given and in a few minutes the fire brigade were on the scene, but the fire had gained such headway that their efforts were of no avail."
The building was only a brick veneer. The practice at that time was to oil the wood floors, and so the fire that started in the furnace room spread quickly. The school was destroyed in only an hour's time.
People came from all over the county to see the remains of the school. In fact, the Electric railway ran a car from Kingsville to Essex so Kingsville students could see the ruins. Since Essex High School had been the first school built outside of Windsor, many came from as far away as Leamington.
The Monday following the fire, Orange Hall (the basement of the Library) and one classroom at the public school were used to continue classes for its 160 students. Orange Hall also served as the Presbyterian Sunday School. Despite inconveniences, education continued in this state until the new school was built. The new school was built at a cost of $85,000.00. It was formally opened by the Warden of the County on September 5, 1922. [1] [2]
Construction began on a new high school in June 2012 and was completed over four phases to allow the school to remain open. Construction was completed in July 2015 at cost over $18,500,000.00. A portion of the original façade still stands along the southeast corner of the building facing Talbot St. North. This portion of the building is a part of the Essex Recreation Complex which was not included in the construction project.
