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The Thompson Fisher House is located at 37 Queen St. (on the northeast corner of Queen and Rebecca Streets). It was built around 1880 in the Eclectic Neoclassical style. It belonged to J.C. Wood in the 1950’s. He was the principal at the original, adjacent Bradford High School.
The two-storey, rectangular building has a symmetrical façade and a centre hall plan (Neoclassical features). A medium-pitched, hip roof with a wide overhang and a full-width, awning roof at the porch are Regency Revival features. The house has large window openings with high floor to ceiling heights. Ground-floor windows and the entrance door have transom lights. The arched shutters may be original. Decorative details at the porch columns, a busy verge board, and paired, soffit brackets (over new metal soffits) appear to be twentieth-century additions. The house has solid brick construction as well as the original wood banister, doors, and 12” baseboards. According to the 2000 inventory, the decorative trim is excessive and without precedent in the community. It also notes that while some degree of eclecticism is not out of place, the total effect on this well-maintained building is unconvincing. (1, 3, 5)

The Fred C. Cook Senior Elementary School is located at 75 Queen Street. It is not the original building to be found on this site. That structure was a small, two-room, grammar school from Bond Head that was loaded onto a sled and pulled by horses many years ago to the newly-formed town of Bradford. It was set among the pine trees found on a plot of land between Fletcher and Queen Streets. That structure eventually became the first high school in Bradford. It was destroyed by fire in 1890 and a new school was opened on the same site. It burned as well. The Fred C. Cook Senior Elementary School (as seen in the photo) was erected in its place in 1923 or 1924. It was built in the Colonial Revival style. A four-room wing was built in the rear school yard in 1956 (1960’s?) to alleviate over-crowding.
The main building has 2½ storeys. Its large, simple, rectangular form dominates this site. The structure is set well back from the street on a broad expanse of lawn. This positioning suggests its importance in the community. There are large window openings with high floor to ceiling heights, and a flat roof (probably covered with built-up tar and gravel). The entrance is raised one-half storey above grade level. Stairs lead directly to an over-scaled entrance door framed by white-painted pilasters and a plain, wood entablature above. The double door and transom do not appear to be original. The tall, ‘Venetian” windows (characteristic of the neoclassical style) have pilasters and three-foot ‘lights’. The first and second-storey windows are joined by recessed, wood panels. A white-painted, urn-trimmed, roof balustrade is set into a brick, parapet wall. Thin pilaster strips (set into a continuous ‘sill’ at the ground-floor level) sub-divide the front façade into multiple bays. The building has concrete, masonry construction with brick, masonry cladding, applied wood details, and a concrete foundation. According to the 2000 inventory, the building is in excellent condition with many original details.
A new, modern version of the Fred C. Cook Elementary School opened in September, 2013. It is located at 20 Fletcher Street. (1, 3, Bradford District High School’s web site)

"Bradford District High School won the York Simcoe High School Boys Softball Championships for the sixth year in a row. They defeated Dr. G.W. Williams High School in Aurora 4-2 with three innings overtime.
[Back row], Jim Brown, Barry Neilly, Cliff Corner, Jim Lynn, Rick Ellis, Bill Jackson, and coach Don Jarvis.
[Front row], John Scheuremann, Ted Richards, Ian Campbell, Larry Callicragas, and Scott Forbes."

"The styles have changed, but high school students haven't changed all that much from the days this photo was taken at Bradford High School in 1934. Front row, Mildred Faris, Orma Wilcox. Second row, Norma Walker, Vira Sutherland, Mildred Feaver, Etta Hunter, Irene Brown, Eileen Church, Mary Webb. Third row, Frank Edney, Edward Dunn, Harvey Jeffries, George Stoddart, Lorne West, Don Wilson."

Fred C. Cook Honored at School Opening
By John Slykhuis

Fred C. Cook senior public school was officially opened last week amid universal tribute to the man for whom the school was named.

Simcoe-Centre M.P.P. Arthur Evans, a friend of the late Mr. Cook, said it was fitting that the respected school be named after Mr. Cook and he recalled the days the two worked together on Bradford Council.

Representing the town of Bradford, Reeve Ken Wood said of Mr. Cook, "He was an inspiration all my life."

Guest speaker Dr. Jack Ramsay, director of education for the Simcoe County Board of Education, also paid tribute to Mr. Cook.

"We admired him and what he stood for. We really feel the name of the school has been well chosen."

Mr. Cook, who died on Thursday April 24, 1975, at the age of 73, was active in municipal politics and he was Bradford's Deputy-reeve for over 10 years.

A lay reader in the Anglican Church from 1934 until his death, Mr. Cook served as the Sunday school superintendent for more than 45 years.

He was also active in the Simcoe Lodge of Masons and served as grand master of the Orange Lodge.

Bouquet

The highlight of the evening was a presentation of of a bouquet of carnations to Mrs. Leone Cook, who told the audience, "it's difficult to find the words to express my deep appreciation. I'm sure he would be deeply honored to have this building named after him."

Mrs. Cook was given a standing ovation.

A photo portrait of Mr. Cook was presented by the Cook family to school principal Neil Sheffield, who said it would be hung in a place of honor.

Greetings were also conveyed by the Warden of Simcoe County, Allan Glassford, West Gwillimbury Deputy-reeve Bud Brown, and Simcoe County Board of Education chairman William Brown of Orillia.

Reverend J. C. House of Trinity Anglican Church in Bradford led in a prayer of dedication.

Lawyer Tom Evans, representing Simcoe Masonic Lodge 79, presented the school with a plaque to be placed on a sign, also donated by the lodge, at the school's entrance.

Rotary Club president Rick Walker presented Mr. Sheffield with a framed copy of the club's Four Way Test which will be hung in the school hall.

Gifts of appreciation were given to the school's naming committee by students of Fred C. Cook. Trustee Frank Prothero introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Ramsay.

School board trustee Audrie Trotter delivered a message of appreciation and principal Neil Sheffield brought accolades to the school's staff. Trustee Sam Neilly was chairman for the evening, and the Fred C. Cook senior choir entertained the over flow audience with several songs.

After the program, guided tours through the school were given. The building, formerly Bradford District High School, was converted to a senior elementary school in 1976.

"Thirty five students said good-bye to Bradford Public School last Thursday evening. The school also said farewell in a ceremony for the graduates. A large crowd of parents filled the auditorium for the hour long awards presentation followed by coffee and donuts. Sharon Dakin was the top student with an overall average of 91.6. For her hard work she received awards for the highest mark by a girl and also the general proficiency award for the highest marks in the class. A top student in history with a mark of 92.9. Sharon received a history award from the local branch of the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire. Blair Melton, with an average 81 per cent received the award for the highest marks by a boy in the grade eight class. The other award of the night, for good fellowship as voted by the class, went to Burton Stoddart. The guests on the stage were Sam Neilly, school board trustee for the area of Simcoe County School Board and Wes Nelson a retired teacher who worked as a supply teacher at the school this year. The master of ceremonies was the grade eight teacher Roger Barker. At the end of the evening the students presented Mr. Barker with a momento of their appreciation. Miss Terry O'Brien, the French teacher presented oral French certificates to the students. In addition to collecting awards Sharon Dakin gave the valedictory address. She remembered the nights staying up until two in the morning studying for tests then falling asleep during the test because of lack of sleep. Sharon finished with thanks to her teachers for their help. The graduating class for 1975 at Bradford Public School are: Larry Allision, Faye Allan, Norman Allan, Elizabeth Avard, Lesley Barker, Larry Beekink, Nancy Bell, Kerry Sue Brintnell, Sharon Dakin, Peter Everitt, Brett Ewart, Stephen Feir, Ron Foerter, Jon Gittnes, Barbara Graham, Kelly Graham, Susan Heighington, Jim Law, David Lloyd, Judy MacMillan, Blair Melton, Barbara Noble, Susan Robertson, Nancy Saint, Rick Scragg, Susan Sheffield, Patricia Skitteral, Betty Stoddart, Burton Stoddart, Brett Thompson, Derel Thompson, Harold Thompson, Susan Thompson, Gary Timbers and Scott Tupling."

"The graduating class from Bradford public school in alphabetical order are: Kim Barranger, John Bateman, Gary Bergeron, Larry Callicragas, Deena Clark, Cathy Collings, Jane Collings, Lynn Dakin, Tracey Dodds, Jim Everitt, Robin Ewart, Sally Fuller, Brian Grimley, Billy Hardy, Debbie Heighington, Nick Juranic, Debbie Lewis, Scott Lohnes, Lorraine Lucas, Peter Masin, Kevin May, Rick May, Linda McKnight, George Niemeyer, Kathie Pattenden, Joan Saint, Cheryl Sargent, Ron Storey and Karen Watson."

"Marta Ozals, a student in John Gabel's class at Earl Rowe Public School, was hard at work last week on her poster for the Kinsmen's Heritage Day celebrations this weekend. The posters will be judged Saturday and will be on display Sunday at the high school. A dance and free films are among the other activities planned for the weekend."

"The Easter Parade at Sunnybrae School in Stroud was a lively event. The children of the Junior Division marched around the gym with musical accompaniment of 'In Your Easter Bonnet' to proudly model their handmade bonnets and top hats."

"Peter and Josefina Catania, on their way to Brazil to teach and conduct research, recently visited Peter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Catania of RR 2, Newmarket, and Peter's brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Betty Catania. Mr. and Mrs. Catania will teach for two years at the Universidade Federal de Paraiba in Jona Pessoa. Dr. Peter Catania will study solar energy at the university and Dr. Josefina Catania will teach psychology, as part of a project of the Canadian government. Peter was born and raised in Bradford and he attended St. Mary's separate school, Aurora High School, the University of Waterloo, University of Edmonton, and University of Regina. Josefina was born and raised in Cebu City, The Philippines. The couple had two children, Carleon Miguel, 5, and Alaine Mia, 1.5."