Comments on: Fire takes out King Edward High School

By: Angus McIntyre

Angus McIntyre — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 20:40:29 +0000

The original Vancouver High School opened downtown in 1890, and on 6 January 1905 moved to a new building at Oak Street and West 12th Avenue. Students complained about having to take the streetcar to get there. In 1910 it was officially named King Edward High School, and a new wing was added along the north side of 12th Avenue in 1912.

After I graduated from Point Grey High School in 1966 I attended Vancouver City College at King Ed. for two years. Due to a lack of credits I completed two grade 12 courses and did five first year college level classes in one year. The grade 12 courses were held at the old Model School at 12th and Ash Street, and it was a brisk (and often wet) walk to change classes. My official Grade 12 certificate is from Vancouver City College.

King Edward was handling over 2,200 students when I was there. Study carrels lined some hallways. The only washroom for male students was in the basement with original plumbing. Mme. Pain, my French teacher, told us of how King Ed. was turned into a hospital during the Spanish Flu in 1918. Favourite teachers entertained us in their homes with pot luck suppers. Some parties lasted all night!

I lived just one block from the school, and one day I was driving home from errands when I saw the smoke in the sky. I parked on Oak Street and went home to get my camera. When I returned I saw the last of the roof cave in, and my car was completely blocked in with fire hoses. The fire could be seen all over the city, and ashes covered a large area. It was a very sad day.

By: James

James — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 19:11:54 +0000

My father attended King Eddy and I at Eric Hamber. And you are right Ian Thompson about Hamber , his home alone on 88,000 sqft with ( this one takes the decadent cake) a 10 car Art Deco underground garage! Inside one bdr the ceiling was shell shaped with undulating plaster mimicking the shell! Dad was quite upset repeating , its all stone , how can it burn.

By: R. J. Dunnill

R. J. Dunnill — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 18:21:44 +0000

I attended VCC briefly in 1980, when it was located on the site.

As I remember it, the old gym was intact and used for office cubicles.

By: Ian Thompson

Ian Thompson — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 18:12:58 +0000

I was at King Ed it’s last year and at Eric Hamber it’s very first year. We lived at 901 west 10th. Right across the street.
An interesting story actually is the life of Eric Hamber, the man.

By: MARLENA FAIRBOURNE

MARLENA FAIRBOURNE — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 17:14:14 +0000

I was there in 1962…..I remember well Mr. Wilson..(Principal)….. and Ms. Hopkins..and Mr. Freshwater…and other old time characters now long gone…Those were the days…a far far better world……

By: Brett Wilkie

Brett Wilkie — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 17:02:18 +0000

I remember that day, I was working at an auto dealership that was located at Birch and Broadway. There were pieces of ash raining down on our lot, some the size of a dollar bill.

By: Barbara Phillips

Barbara Phillips — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 16:26:47 +0000

I was a nursing student at the time. I watched the fire from my residence room.

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 16:05:52 +0000

My father went to highschool at King Ed. I went to first year university at King Ed. The day of the fire, I was working at VGH and my car was parked at King Ed. I quickly moved my car and briefly watched it sadly burn down. No my daughter works at the King Edward Campus.

By: Anthony Maw

Anthony Maw — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 15:36:14 +0000

Yeah I remember being on 12th avenue watching the smoke as the fire trucks started arriving….so long ago.