After WWII, architecture became more simplistic and modernism became the way to go. This can distinctly be seen with schools, especially in the MSA area. Below is a comparison between elementary schools built before 1945 and a school built after 1945. On the left is Straiton School and on the right is Matsqui Superior School. (Beneath those are Ridgedale and Godson Elementary schools). Notice the triangle-shaped roofs on Straiton and Matsqui Superior/Elementary schools, and the elevated main floor of Matsqui. Matsqui in this case has a Dutch gable roof, whereas straiton has a hip gable roof. These were common traits in schools and other buildings built before the end of WWII.

  • Straiton School, 1977 (The Reach, P4261)
  • Matsqui Superior School, (The Reach, 1941-1951 Newspaper Clippings)

Looking at Ridgedale and Godson elementary schools, we can see flat, angled roofs with large windows. The main floors are also low to the ground and the buildings overall represents a more simplistic style. This also gives perspective on how the one room schoolhouse developed with modernism. This is also a reflection of how simplistic architecture dominated schools in the 1950s. Notice how both schools look almost as carbon copies of each other. Interestingly today, Godson Elementary School still exists today but is now a single classroom part of larger school building. Its front entrance section still serves as the schools front entrance. Its boxy and horizontal architecture allowed for seamless expansion, while retaining the same character throughout its sections.

  • Ridgedale Elementary School, 1952 (The Reach, P6155)
  • Godson Elementary School, 1958. (The Reach, P6184)
  • Godson Elementary School in 2018, same view as above (image taken from Google Earth)

            Now we will take a look at high schools. Below are Phillip Sheffield High School and all of its wings, and beneath are Abbotsford Junior High (AJHS) and Abbotsford Senior Secondary (ASHS). Phillip Sheffield’s wings all vary in size and style and have either Dutch gabled, hip, or curved roof styes.

  • Phillip Sheffield High School and additional wings, 1936 (The Reach, P13437)

The two Abbotsford High schools (senior and junior), built between 1952 and 1955 on the other hand, have flat roofs, a simple, minimal façades and every wing matches more or less. This can especially be seen on their windows as they appear as continual long rectangles. The two also take up more space than Phillip Sheffield High School. Note the massive parking lots (and ample space) of AJHS and ASHS, representing increased school capacity and the increase in automobile ownership. Also note the large school yards.

  • Abbotsford Senior Secondary School (foreground) and Abbotsford Junior Secondary School (Background) (The Reach, P1921DP1)
  • Abbotsford Junior High (top left), Abbotsford Senior High (bottom right), 197-? (The Reach)

Sources for this Page

Google Earth

The Abbotsford Reach Online Archives

The Abbotsford Reach Archives