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Facts regarding the first school in the Stanley Bridge area are not fully documented However, according to an 1851 survey, the area named Campbleton (sp.), Mill River, and Fife’s (sp.) Ferry had two schools. The first one was at the intersection of #6 and #224 Highway - the loca— tion of the present Stanley Hall. The second school was in the vicinity of the present New London Community Complex on the opposite side of the road.

The records of 1845 advise that Township 21 had 52 students with Archibald MacKinnon as teacher. The school is described as “very sufficient” and was probably the Campbleton School. Township 22 School had an enrollment of 41 and Edward Hill was the teacher. It is described as having . . . “attendance most irregular, but the school steadily improving”. This probably refers to the school which was located on the present hall property.

The possible reason for two schools being located within two miles of each other was the lack of transportation from one side of the river to the other. If the students had to cross the river twice a day on the ferry, their education costs would prohibit them from attending a school. Thus there were two schools; one in the Green Hollow and another one on the present hall site.

Superintendent’s reports are incomplete until 1850. It now appears that the same school is being inspected under different names. Names given are — Fyfe’s Ferry Road, St. Ann’s, Mill River and Campbelton School. The attendance ranged from 31 to 50 between 1850 and 1860. The reports are so inconsistent that one would assume that the school was probably not open for instruction every year or even for part of the year. The connecting bridge had been constructed by the mid 1850’s which now permitted the children to the West of the river to attend the Stanley Bridge School.

According to the 1863 Lake’s map, the location of the schoolhouse was changed from the inter- section of Rt. 224 and 254, to the “bottom of the hill”, on Rt. 224. This land had been pur-

chased from James Anderson.

The next report of 1869 records the name of Stanley Bridge School #152 with an enrollment of 40 students — all juniors - with Annie MacLean as teacher. The 1874-1875 records advise that the teacher, Mr. C. MacKay, was “diligent” and the school was “good”. The student body ranged from 57 to 65 and were . . . “not above average”.

By 1855, education for the young was to consist of reading, writing, and arithmetic. If these subjects were mastered, a few students were permitted to study grammar and geography and a “few less” could study bookkeeping and algebra.

The 1852 Education Act established 431 schools across the Province. Under the new Provincial Board of Education the system was quickly divided into different categories: (A) Schoolhouse; (B) School Trustees; (C) Teachers and Curriculum; (D) General Expenses

A. SCHOOLHOUSE

The Visitor of Schools, John Arbuckle, wrote a report on Rural School Conditions in 1849. He clearly indicated that the situation was most discouraging for those who had to visit or to attend most rural schools on Prince Edward Island. He stressed the unsuitable locations for school buildings, as well as the lack of furnishings and teaching aids. {Refer to Government

Publications on Schools}

The Stanley Bridge School was no exception to Mr. Arbuckle’s statements. The school was located in one of the least suitable areas of the District. The lot of land, located in the hollow below the present school site, was situated alongside the brook. This eliminated the possibility of a satisfactory playground because the area sloped towards the water. The site could be regarded as acceptable for the supply of water because it was drawn from a nearby spring.

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