MN1074 SWAN RIVER - (PUBLIC SCHOOL)

I noticed that the Manitoba Historical Society's earliest Swan River school listing was the Duncan School, built in 1910. I sent our friend Gord this image with the pre-1910 date info. Here is his response...

"I suspect that postcard image of the Swan River School shows a
predecessor to the building constructed in 1912. It seems to me that the
one built in 1912 could not be the first one. The school district was
formed in 1900 and it was a sufficiently large community that it would
surely warrant a larger school than a single classroom. I could guess
your postcards shows a four-classroom building, which might be about
right in size.

One of the Swan River history books has a quote from early 1900: "We
have a good public school and a new school house in course of erected
two stories high." Of course, it's not a lot to go on, but at least it
confirms the school pre-1910 was two floors.

The Swan River Star of 18 October 1912 (later in the year the 1912
building was constructed) has an advertisement: "Tenders for the
purchase of the Swan River Frame School House will be received up till
October 31st next. Successful tenderer will be allowed reasonable time
to remove the building. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted."

Working backward, I found in the Swan River Star of 29 March 1900:
"TENDERS WANTED. Sealed tenders for the erection of a frame public
school building to be erected in Swan River village will be received by
the undersigned up to Monday, April 9th, 1900. Plans and specifications
may be seen at Mr. Bossons on and after Tuesday March 27, 1900. The
lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. H. E. Glendinning, Sec.
Treas, Swan River."

Bossons is undoubtedly a reference to Joseph Henry Bossons, an architect
who worked at Portage la Prairie, Swan River, and Dauphin in the early
20th century.

So my educated guess is that the postcard shows the first school at Swan
River."