Vesuvius (Central) School – Salt Spring Island’s First Schoolhouse (1894)

As the population on Salt Spring Island increased demands grew for a proper school and for financial support from Victoria.

In 1864 permission was granted for a school to be established in the village of Vesuvius, called Central School.

Front L-R: Mr. Edward Wakelin & *Mr. Edward Harrison beside the yoke of oxen, Walter Norton, unknown, Lionel Beddis, Dorothy Norton, Margaret Mouat, Joel Broadwell and Luther or Charlie Bittancourt. Rear L-R: Francis Norton, Will Mouat, Gilbert Mouat, Howard Wakelin, unknown, Arthur Walter, Elsie Norton, Mary Walter, and Mary Mouat.

*Edward was one of three Harrison brothers ( Ernest, John and Edward). Edward is listed in the Oberlin College Archives attending preparatory course 1875-1877 and then college 1877-1879. His hometown is listed as Vancouver Island, B.C.  It is noted that “his brother John sang in the church choir and was treasurer of the Agricultural Association for many years.”