More History on Caldwell Elementary School –Heather Perrault

May 28, 1953

Hi Linda,

I have not found anything super great at either LAC or AOO for government publications regarding the school, but was able to locate a few newspaper articles that seem to answer most of your questions.

I’ve attached a newspaper article from the Ottawa Citizen regarding the opening of Caldwell Street Public School, dated May 28, 1953, and another announcing the opening, dated May 15, 1953.

May 29,1953

May 15, 1953

The official school opening took place on May 27, 1953 at 8pm and was officiated by the Minister of Education (W.J. Dunlop) and the Minister of Highways (George. H. Doucett). This event was by invitation only, however it was broadcast over an outdoor speaker system for the public. The following weekend (Saturday May 30th and Sunday May 31st) tours were also offered to the public to see the new school.

The architect was H.H. Roberts (Horace Roberts of Westport) and the contractor was J.B Hughson (of Brockville).

The article notes that J.D. McAdam was the supervising principal. Other teaching staff included Miss O.M. Robertson, Miss M.L Cumming, Murray Kirkpatrick, and H.G Dallimore.

The article attached from January 8, 1953 states that the general contractor’s price was $92480. This article also gives a description of the construction materials used for the school.

I’ve also included a newspaper article from the Ottawa Citizen from September 16, 1953 about the architect, Horace Roberts. He was from Westport (originally from Toronto) and designed 50-60 schools in Eastern Ontario in the same years that Caldwell was built.

I don’t know if this is of interest to you, but I have attached an article regarding the call for tenders for the additions to the school in 1967.

Clipped from

I will stop digging for now (you likely know all too well how easy it is to get lost in a research rabbit hole) but I hope this helps! Let me know if there is anything else!!!

Thanks so much!
Heather Perrault