Ealing Public School

SS #22, circa 1882. Photo taken in 1907.

Ealing Public School, 840 Hamilton Road, originated as S.S.#22, Area 2, London Township school, for a residential neighbourhood known as Ealing. With the adjacent town of London perpetuating the names of Old London, the community adopted the name of Ealing, a borough of London, England, about nine miles from St. Paul's Cathedral.

The school became part of the London system in 1912 when Ealing, Pottersburg, Knollwood and Chelsea Green were annexed. One of the reasons for this annexation, local historians claim, was to boost London's population to 50,000, and permit street cars to run on Sundays.

S.S.#22 was built many years before annexation, but the exact date is difficult to confirm. Early photos show a wooden structure possibly built in 1872. Records indicate that a brick structure was built in 1882.

In 1909, a four room school was erected at a cost of $11,000.00. It was still known as S.S.# 22 in London Township. It officially opened on December 10, 1910 and was annexed into London on January 1, 1913. At this time, there were 245 pupils with an average daily attendance of 185. The principal, Mr. George Duncan was certified in 1872 and earned $1,100.00 annually. There were four teachers: Miss Laura Phonix and Miss Hazel Douglas who each earned $600.00 annually and Miss Edna C. Guy and Ella Dickie who were each paid $550.00.

The Ealing Home and School Association met for the first time on March 2, 1916. Since the school had been annexed, members worked for city privileges such as water, garbage collection, sewers, a school nurse and a playground.

By the way.. the May 24 reunion was a wonderful event. Over 1,000 people attended and met friends from long ago.