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Torrance Public School |
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Torrance Public School was originally named St. James Ward School when it was constructed in 1910. The school was renamed to honour Reverend Doctor Robert Torrance, who was Wellington County School Inspector, the Inspector of Public Schools, in Guelph, and served as secretary of the Guelph Board of Education for over 30 years. Torrance Public School is associated with prominent Guelph architect W. Frye Colwill. He was involved in the design and construction of numerous local buildings but is best known for the elegant Beaux Arts Carnegie Library, in Guelph, which was demolished in 1964. Torrance School and the Carnegie Library are both excellent examples of Colwill's aesthetically stylish and original work, which distinguished him from the general trend toward restrained Edwardian Classical designs, in the bulk of early 20th century buildings. Torrance Public School was his last major commission. At the time of its construction, the building was considered one of the finest public buildings in Guelph because of its distinctive style and street presence. |
