Seguin Township 1998
S.S. NO. 6 Humphrey - Gordon Bay
Towards the close of the year 1897 certain settlers in the south-west corner of Humphrey Township decided there were enough children of school age to warrant a school in their neighbourhood. The first ratepayers meeting was held December 29,1897 at Mr. J.M. Hatherleys residence. Three trustees were elected - these being Henry Hatherley, A. Winter, and John Barnes Sr.
Without any warning it was proposed and seconded that all matters relating to the school be postponed for one year. The reason given was that the section was too poor to pay a teacher a decent salary. Mr. Henry Hatherley was advised to resign as trustee which he did. The facts were then laid before Inspector Mr. Isaac Day who promptly replied that the trustees were elected not for the purpose of postponing the education of the children but to provide the means whereby the children of school age might be educated. This led to the appointment of another trustee, Mr. Joseph Barnes Jr. at a meeting held January 23, 1898. A contract was let and a school was built for $175.00. This sum included the cost of a frame building 16'x24' and the desks, stove, etc.
The first teacher in the school was Mr Jas. M. Hatherley, Gordon Bay, at a salary of $175.00 per annum.
In 1911 the Canadian National Railway was being built and the school was in the way. The Company turned it around off the right - of - way spoiling the playground and creating vibration and noise. The school, too, was becoming too small for the attendance so a rocky lot near the north end of lot 35, concession 4 was chosen for the site ofa new building. The new site was to consist of an acre and a half donated in lieu of the former site which had been donated by J. M. Hatherley.
A debenture was raised to build the new school hosue for the sum of $800, and through the efforts of Mr. J. Gaina M. P. P. a grant was obtained for $300which enabled the board to complete the building.
In December 1919 the teacher's salary was raised to $700 per annum. On December 29, 1924 complaints were made that some children were walking over three miles to school so arrangements were made to transport them. A horse and sleigh which tne children looked after themselves was hired and this mode of transportation continued for some years. In 1926 transportation was provide by Jim Dixon for all the children in the northeast corner. A team was used in winter and a launch in summer. This was discontinued in 1937 whe the children finished school.
Up until 1956 the school continued its routine activities with a few improvements such as a new paint job in 1930, chemical toilets installed in 1931, five windows put in the south side in 1937.
When the school was closed in June, 1956, the pupils were transported to the new Humphrey Central School. To-day the building is deserted, with the windows boarded up and the dry grass and weeds adding to the desolation.
The following names of teachers who taught from 1898 to 1956
Jas. M. Hatherley	Jas. E. Hatherley
Bruce Paget	Albert M. Baker
Ida Kirkham	Daniel M. Blake
Jennie C. Ryan	Lorna Snow
Etta Millsap	Marion Marohinney
Kate E. Taylor	Mrs. Mary Brannen
Eliza Hall,	Willa White
Margaret E. Daley	Mrs. Agnes Cross (nee
Belle G. McCutcheon	Tanner)
Mabel G. Ryan	Ethel Moore
James M. Hatherley	J A Ford
Elizabeth Heaslip	Stan Bradshaw Annie E. Black
Information obtained from p80-82 of Then and Now, West Parry Sound Schools 1865-1981 Volume 1, written by Hazel Moyer.