Alberta Register of Historic Places

Stony Plain School

Stony Plain

Other Names:

Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Center

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place
The Stony Plain School is a one and one-half storey brick building located on a single block of land in Stony Plain. The building was erected between 1925 and 1926 and features a complex clipped gable roof system, parapeted gable ends with large multi-paned window arrangements, and a square bell-tower with a pyramidal roof.

Heritage Value
The heritage value of the former Stony Plain School, now the Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre, lies in its association with the development of consolidated school districts in Alberta and its unique architectural expression of the ideas of the English Arts and Crafts movement.

The Stony Plain School reflects a significant development in Alberta's educational system - the consolidation of small rural school districts into larger, regional districts beginning in the mid-1910s. The impetus for consolidation came from concerns about inadequate facilities and narrow educational options in the province's many rural schools. The Stony Plain Consolidated School District No. 52 had been established in 1918 and included Stony Plain Centre School District No. 381, Stony Plain Village School District No. 1638, and Lindley School District No. 4131. Population growth in the region between 1918 and 1924 led to overcrowding in the consolidated district's schools and the decision to construct a new high school. The Stony Plain School was constructed between 1925 and 1926 as the first regional high school in the district. It was employed as a school until the late 1940s, when population pressures again necessitated the construction of a new high school. The building was used as an overflow classroom and a storage facility until 1972, when it was closed. It later reopened as the Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre and continues to fill an important role in the community life of Stony Plain.

Designed by influential Edmonton architects William and Richard Blakey - the latter of whom served as the Provincial Architect for over a decade - the Stony Plain School features a unique architectural style, distinct from any of the standard plans used to construct western Canadian schools during the 1920s. The building embodies Arts and Crafts ideas in its modest scale, brickwork, complex roofline, and gables. It may also reflect the influence of Scottish models of school design. This intriguing building is the only of its kind extant in Alberta, although a similar school once existed in Westlock.

Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 1073)

Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Stony Plain School include such features as:
- form, mass, and style
- shingled, clipped gable roof system, parapetted end system;
- shed dormers, corbelled chimney and square bell-tower with a pyramidal roof;
- brick facade and detailing, including sills, layered courses, and other decorative work;
- brick buttresses;
- pedimented front entrance featuring decorative brickwork, a flat roof supported by double brackets over double doors, windows, and stone blocks inscribed with "1925" and "STONY PLAIN SCHOOL";
- gable end parapets featuring large, multi-paned window arrangements;
- multi-lite fenestration pattern and style;
- original interior floor plan;
- original interior fittings, flooring, mouldings, and trim;
- original plantings, including poplar trees and spruce tree.

Location

Street Address:	5411 - 51 Street
Community:	Stony Plain
Boundaries:	Portion of Block A, Plan 4180R
Contributing Resources:	Buildings: 1

ATS Legal Description:

Mer	Rge	Twp	Sec	LSD
5	1	52	25	15 (ptn.)

PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):

Plan	Block	Lot	Parcel
4180 R	A	N/A

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude	Longitude	CDT	Datum Type
53.525227	-114.008901	GPS	NAD 83

UTM Reference:

Northing	Easting	Zone	CDT	Datum Type

Recognition

Recognition Authority:	Province of Alberta
Designation Status:	Provincial Historic Resource
Date of Designation:	1983/05/04

Historical Information

Built:	1925 to 1926
Period of Significance:
Theme(s):	Building Social and Community Life : Education and Social Well-Being Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life : Architecture and Design
Historic Function(s):	Education : Primary or Secondary School
Current Function(s):
Architect:	William and Richard Blakey
Builder:
Context:	HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE The Building was constructed in 1925 and used as the first Regional High School in the area. It was a two classroom school with a small lab on the main floor. Downstairs was used as an activity area and the third floor was in use by 1945 as a typing classroom. The building served Stony Plain as a high school until 1949 when a new high school was constructed. After subsequent use as a classroom overflow and storage facility, it was finally closed in 1972. The Stony Plain Multicultural Centre possesses a three-fold significance. Historically it represents an important example of an early regional high school which served Stony Plain for many years. If the origin of its design can be confirmed, it appears that the school also may represent an unusual type of Scottish school unique to Alberta. It continues to fill an important role in the community life of Stony Plain. The massing and decorative detailing of the Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre are derived from a knowledge of the English Arts and Crafts movement, popularized in the late 19th century as a return to the indigenous building of Britain. The modest scale, brickwork, complex roof lines and gables are simple variations on the key elements found in Arts and Crafts structures. (AHRF)

Additional Information

Object Number:	4665-0572
Designation File:	DES 1073
Related Listing(s):
Heritage Survey File:	HS 27443
Website Link:
Data Source:	Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 1073)