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t soon became lime for the "Collin8wood Hi8h 8chool" to have (J its own buildin8 and in 1874 a brick one was constructed on Hume - 8Lreel. Its hi8h tower made it a Collin8wood landmark. five years later an addilion was built and attendance nearly reached 300. ln 1879. it became a colle8iate. the firsl in 8imcoe County. Throu8h Lhe hard work and dedication ofMr. Williams and his staff. Collin8wood Colle8iate became one of the chief educational institutions in Ontario. and students came from
all over Lhe province lo attend. In 1894 the fees were, $7.50 e year for local residents
$10.00 e year for 8imcoe County residents $15.00 a year for those oulside the county
The colle8iate was a model for many schools. patterned on pro8rams de- veloped by Mr. Williams. who left. the school in 1901.
By 19'23. the school buildin8 had become decrepid and outdated. 8tu- dents complained of bare. wooded floors. cold drafts and the leek of fa- cilities. There was no sta8e or auditorium. so to 8ive public performances. the students had to rent a hell. While rehearsin8 for Lhe Christmas com- mencement ceremonies al Lhe Opera House on December '21. 19'23. stu- dents san8 about the school burnin8 down. Their praclice was interrupted by fire trucks racin8 down the street and the discovery Lhat the school was. in facl. on fire. 8tudenls and the community 8athered around as flames as hi8h as the school itself leapt from the buildin8. 8ome brave men and boys mana8ed to salva8e some thin8s from the burnin8 buildin8 and its ruins. includin8 the ornate le8 of a teacher's desk.
BOTT, C.C.I. - December '2'2. 19'23.