The Paris Independent
15
January 27, 2024
L O C A L H I S TO RY THE PARIS ARMOURY WAS USED AS A HOSPITAL IN 1918 Paris Central Public School
The Paris Armoury
The 1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic Veterans of the Great War who served overseas unknowingly brought the flu back with them. The Paris Armoury was converted into an emergency hospital financed by Paris industrialist John Penman. Upon arrival, patients exchanged their clothing and possessions for sterile garments. Staff and volunteers did the same. Many ill patients were treated here were only three deaths were recorded.
Photo 1 & Above: King’s Ward Public School at 3 Broadway Street East in Paris. Built in 1881, became Paris Armoury in 1910 and demolished in 1972.
In 1881, the Town of Paris built King’s Ward Elementary School at 3 Broadway E., behind the First Baptist Church beside King’s Ward park, so named after Hiram “King” Capron the town’s founder. By 1910, King’s Ward School was closed and put up for sale. Students of King’s Ward would now attend the new Paris Central Public School directly
Photos 2 & above: Paris Central Public School, built in 1909 and demolished in 1972. Images: Paris Museum and Archives
behind King’s Ward, facing Grand River St. North. On May 30, 1910, Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier allowed the purchase of King’s Ward School to become an armoury with “B” Squadron of the 25th Dragoons in Paris to occupy the building. Renovations began with military orders to prepare plans for improvements. When the contractors began work on the
former classroom floors, they discovered that the hobnailed boots of restless children had worn deep grooves in the thick plank floorboards. This flooring was replaced. The present Paris Central Public School is now on this site of the old King’s Ward School/Armoury.
