GENERAL
Alternate TitlesYork House, Old Fredericton High School
School
193 York Street, Fredericton
York Street School is a massive three-storey Second Empire brick building. From 1893 until 1925, it served as the Fredericton High School.
The York Street School is a Second Empire-style building at 193 York Street, Fredericton. In 1891, the Fredericton School Board commissioned the construction of a new school that would accommodate the growing population of future students. The school was designed by J. C. Dumaresq, who was responsible for the Provincial Legislature building and a school in Halifax after which this one was modeled. The builder was Joshua Limerick, who had previously partnered with Dumaresq to create the Charlotte Street School. For construction, the previous 1833 Baptist Seminary school relocated to George Street and continued to host classes as the new school was being built on its former location.
After 34 years, the building's time as a high school came to a close in 1925, with a new school on the corner of George and Regent streets replacing it. The York Street School continued to operate as an elementary school for some time. In 2007, the building faced demolition to make way for a new church for the Brunswick Street Baptist Church; however, the city of Fredericton bought the building to save it. In 2012, it was purchased by ADI Capital Inc., which converted it to an apartment building while retaining its Second Empire-style exterior.
Municipal Register of Local Historic Places (2009/07/27)
ARCHITECTURE
Date of Construction1891-1893
- Massive and highly elaborate three-storey
- Square central tower
- Double door with a semi-circular transom
The character-defining elements associated with the former York Street School include:
- square three-storey red-brick structure with stone trimmings;
- square projecting central tower;
- mansard roof;
- elaborate dormers above the lower roof line;
- large, regularly spaced rectangular windows;
- carved front arch keystone inscribed with 1891, dating the commencement of construction;
- use of local building materials;
- expression of local building skill and craftsmanship.
SOURCES AND DOCUMENTS
Sources Contributors
Gabrielle Byrne