(below) Location of the former site of S.S. No. 11 Stephen /”Blackbush” School House. Original brick building, built in 1885, still survives as of 2011.
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“School Section 11 began when a log house was built in 1869 on a half acre of ground purchased from John Preeter. The school house cost $224. [Ed. note: $224 in funds in 1869, is roughly worth the equivalent of $50,000 in today’s money.] The first board of trustees was August Schroeder, John Winkenweder and Henry Soldan, secretary-treasurer.
During the year 1885, the old school house was replaced by a one story brick school with two rooms. It was considerably larger in order to accommodate the pupils attending from Dashwood. At the time the section took in the district from one quarter mile east of Dashwood to three miles west of Dashwood, plus concession 12, 14 and 16. A board fence enclosed the grounds until 1921.
In 1900 a bell was put in the belfry but in 1913 during a wind storm the belfry was blown over and the bell fell through the ceiling into the school room. Until repairs were made, school was held in Fred Preeter’s house. In 1925 single desks replaced the double ones. Proceeds from the Christmas concerts were used to purchase a second-hand organ. Ever since 1926 a school picnic was held.
Chemical toilets were installed in 1934. The school got the name “Blackbush” because of the black looking hickory trees around it. In 1938 a piano was purchased and a new library was built and window screens installed in 1940. A flag pole was erected in 1941. During the summer vacation of 1941 the school was redecorated inside and out, slate blackboards were installed at Easter, 1943.
The school was wired for hydro during the easter vacation 1945 and turned on May 9. A new floor was put in the school in 1947 at a cost of $600. a new fence was put around the school yard and the posts were painted white, tipped with green; a new lawn mower was purchased and the grass kept cut. In 1948 the flower bed was enlarged with tulips and daffodils planted. In 1949, Shirley Pearson of grade 8 won first prize of $25 in vocal solos at the Goderich music festival.
In the summer of 1955 a water pressure system, including toilets and sink was installed. Also at that time a new oil furnace replaced the old iron stove in the centre of the school room. The school was closed in 1964 and pupils transported to Dashwood school.
The following have served as secretary of the school since 1869: Henry Soldan, Fred Preeter, Isaih (sic) Tetreau, Albert Morenz, Noah Dietrich, Lawrence Dietrich, Placid Desjardine, George Link, Wes Engeland, Clarence Gale, Otto Willert, Russel Webb, Irvine Devine, Roy Morenz and Gerald Mason.
The following are the teachers since 1869: John Reith, George Wright, Joseph Smith, R. Whiting, Alex Walker, Miss Kinsman, John R. Ross, James Ervine, Asa J. Styles, Hugh Ross, Tom Snell, Joseph Spencer, Miss Davidson, Miss Merrit, May Hodgins, Lily Hartleib, Rita Keys, Isobel Ramsey, Violet Graybeil, Kathleen Genge, Lydia Oestreicher, Susie Kleinfeldt, Letta Guenther, Nona Dale, Hilda Nueschwanger (sic), Grace Nixon, Laura Snell, Lily Greb, Norma Crago, Marion Nicholson, Marjorie Minielly, Robert P. Reid, Mrs. Adah Webb, Mrs. Irene Haugh, Mrs. Helen Kleinstiver, Frances (Lostell) Eagleson, Stanley Haist, Marie Salmon and Lenore Trott.”
extracted from “Friedsburg-Dashwood 1860-1985” by Mary (Patterson) Rader, 1985; pgs. 25-26 ISBN 0-9692115-0-3