Mississauga's Streetsville Heritage Hall marks 175 years

1851 Grammer School attached to rear of 1877 addition.

As Streetsville grew in its early years, it was determined that a grammar school (think high school or secondary school) was needed to serve the needs of the youth in the surrounding community. By 1850 land was acquired from the Street family, and in 1851 a one-room red-brick schoolhouse welcomed its first students – some 15-20 male students. There was a private school run by Miss Crombie for young ladies in Streetsville for a time.

The 1851 Grammar School building was designed by architect John Tully, and the first schoolmaster was Reverend John Davis. He was succeeded by John McClure. Streetsville’s Grammar School was the first secondary school in Peel County.

Former Streetsville Grammar School, 1983.

An advertisement from 1854 highlights that the course of study included reading, grammar, composition, geography, arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Classes in Latin, Greek, Ancient Hebrew, French and German were also offered, with an aim at preparing students for further education in University.

In 1858, with an enrollment of 41 students, Thomas Russell from Glasgow University in Scotland was brought in as the new schoolmaster. Students came from the surrounding area, with some references to students coming from Erindale (Springfield) and Meadowvale to attend the school.

Streetsville Grammar School, c1900.

The 1851 portion of the building, which is 175 years old in 2026, is the rear wing on the building we see today. The large front addition with the landmark Italianate-style tower was added in 1877 and increased the capacity of the school to 100 students (the front addition visible from Queen Street today and including the tower will be 150 years old next year). By 1877, the school was open to both boys and girls, although at the time of this writing we are not sure when the transition to allowing both boys and girls at the Grammar School first occurred.

Streetsville Grammar School, c1920.

The building served as a school for 100 years, closing in 1951, as newer and larger continuation and secondary schools were built in the surrounding area. After the closure, Streetsville area students were bused to other secondary schools, including in Brampton and Cooksville. In 1958, Streetsville received its own new secondary school on nearby Joymar Drive.

Former Streetsville Grammar School, 2005, showing 1877 addition.

After its formal closure in 1951, the building briefly served as overflow classroom space for Russell Langmaid Public School in the mid 1950s. Facing some pressure to tear down the old school, the efforts of Streetsville Councillor Frank Dowling and lifelong resident Wes Durie resulted in the building being saved and turned over to the Town of Streetsville in 1957. In 1966, the old school became the new home of the Streetsville Town Hall and Council. After amalgamation into the City of Mississauga in 1974, the building served as a police station, complete with jail cells that can still be seen in the building. It served as the local Streetsville police station until 1978. In 1980 it became home to community functions as the Streetsville Kinsmen Senior Citizen’s Centre. Now operated by the City of Mississauga, the building was renamed the Streetsville Heritage Hall in 2024.

Streetsville Heritage Hall, 2024, courtesy of the Streetsville BIA.

But for many long-time residents, it will always be known as the old High School, the old Town Hall, or the old Police Station, depending on when they grew up in Streetsville.

The original 1851 portion of the Grammar School reflects a vernacular style that speaks to Streetsville's past as a rural and agricultural town. It was built in a simple, classical and elegant style. The 1877 front addition with the tower reflects the aspirations for the town as it grew to become a commercial and economic centre for the surrounding area.