Built in 1877, Barker Street School was originally a rough-cast four room red-brick building. First known as S.S. (School Section) No. 6, Barker Street School replaced a one room schoolhouse that stood a short distance away on Drummond Hill, facing Lundy's Lane.
Originally a four-room bred brick building, Barker Street School served the Village of Drummondville, which was located around the intersection of Main, Ferry, and Lundy's Lane. Later renamed the Village of Niagara Falls, this community became part of the new City of Niagara Falls in 1904. Barker Street School acquired an addition of two rooms in 1912. In 1914, the school was thoroughly renovated, and four rooms with modern facilities were added.
Some of the early Barker St. School principals deserve to be recalled. One of these is Michael Butler Mor ris, who began his teaching career in the one room school house on Lundy's Lane in 1864. Follow ing the completion of the new school on Barker St., "he and his old No. 6 pupils -marched over to the new institution," as a history of the school states.
Butler remained at Barker St. School until his death in 1896.
The following year, James Morden was appointed principal, a position he occupied for the next 20 years. From 1917 to 1934 he served as principal at Falls View School, the building on Dunn St. that later housed Cavendish Manor Retirement Home. Morden's long service in education, along with his work in chronicling Niagara Falls history and his service in local municipal government, made him a well known and highly respected citizen. When a new public elementary school on Dorchester Rd. opened in 1952, it was named in his honour.
After 90 years, during which time the school had been doubled in size to eight class rooms, Barker St. closed in June 1967. The building languished unused until it was demolished in 1969. Construction then began on a new school at the same site.
Barker Street School was demolished in November of 1969, and replaced with Battlefield School in 1971.This new fa cil ity first opened its doors to students in September 1970. The first principal was Ken Hibbard.
In a 2011 conversation with Niagara Falls historian Sherman Zavitz, Hibbard recalled that the school was originally named Lundy's Lane School, not Battlefield. However, he felt the Lundy's Lane name was not appropriate, especially since there was confusion with a former school by that same name that had actually been located on Lundy's Lane where the McDonald's restaurant is now. That school had been closed the previous June.
The new school was on historic ground - the site of the Battle of Lundy's Lane on July 25, 1814, which was one of the bloodiest and deadliest battles ever fought in Canada, with over 1,731 casualties, including 258 killed. Realizing this, Hibbard suggested to the school board that the name be changed to Battlefield. Several officials felt that name might not be appropriate since it could give the impression the school's students were fighting most of the time. Nevertheless, when the matter went before the full board, the name change was approved, so by the time the school's official opening took place on February 25, 1971, it was known as Battlefield.
The school's 41-year history drew to a close in 2011. Combined with Barker St. School's 90 years, this site has served children in the area for a remarkable 131 years. It has now entered a new phase in the service of senior citizens.
After considerable debate by the City Council of Niagara Falls, the Stamford Kiwanis Club received permission in January 2013 to renovate the school building and develop a 30 unit seniors apartment complex on the spot where the school once stood.
Opposition to this plan was voiced by some councillors due to the historic value of the site, but the motion passed and the residential complex was approved. Due to funding problems and other delays, the actual re-development of the building did not begin until 2019.
Two acres of open space behind the school were preserved as parkland to commemorate the Battle of Lundy's Lane.
City of Niagara Falls. 2019. PBD-2019-76 - Revitalization Grant Application – DRU-2019-001 - 6015 Barker Street. Applicant: Stamford Kiwanis Non Profit Homes Inc., c/o Shabri Properties Ltd. https://niagarafalls.civicweb.net/document/21777/PBD-2019-76,%20DRU-2019-001,%20Stamford%20Kiwanis%20Non-Pr.pdf?handle=3C37CB20E7CE4D368536542A118E5294
Gilbert, Peter. 2019. Pietrangelo Criticizes Kiwanis Barker Street Development. Niagara Falls Review, November 18, 2019. https://voiceofniagara.com/2019/11/18/pietrangelo-criticizes-kiwanis-barker-street/
Larocque, Corey. 2013 (updated 2020). Housing project a victory for city. Niagara Falls Review. https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/opinion/editorials/2013/01/25/housing-project-a-victory-for-city.html
Niagara Falls Museums. 2020. Early Schools of Niagara Falls. https://niagarafallsmuseums.ca/discover-our-history/history-notes/schools.aspx
Niagara Falls Public Library. 2017. Niagara Falls - Then & Now: A Photographic Journey Through The Years. [Barker Street School/ Battlefield Elementary School (Vacant)].
Niagara Falls Review. 2012. Fate of battlefield could be decided in January. https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/2012/12/10/fate-of-battlefield-could-be-decided-in-january.html
Zavitz, Sherman. 2011. School's new name had its doubters. Niagara Falls Review, 31 May 2011. https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-niagara-falls-review/20110531/281612417000612
Niagara Falls Then and Now
A collaborative project
Niagara Falls Museums - Niagara Falls Public Library - Dept. of Geography and Tourism Studies,Brock University.
Original newspaper series by
Sherman Zavitz, Official Historian for the City of Niagara Falls from 1994 - 2019.
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