Mayfield School District No. 3165
According to “Buffalo Trails and Tales” (Wainwright and District History
Book), Mayfield School was built in 1914 and was located approximately
seven – eight miles northeast of Wainwright. It was said to have been
named after the home of Mr. John Muddle in England. Mr. A. Muddle was a
local resident in 1934.
I, Ione Plaxton, (later Hetherington), was a teacher at Mayfield 1934 – 1937. At that time the school was in excellent condition. It was the cottage-type, with attached wood shed. Inside was the classroom, two cloakrooms and two inside toilets. It is stated in “Buffalo Trails and Tales” that Mayfield was one of the first schools to have inside toilets. The classroom was equipped with the usual three blackboards, desks, and
a very good piano which we certainly made good use of particularly at Christmas concert time.
The school was the centre of social activities. During the winter, there were card parties and dances, while in the summer the school had its ball team and challenged the neighbouring school to ball games.
Family names that appeared on the school register while I was there were: Armstrong, Craddock, Driver, Harden, McNern, McClennon, Nicholson, Peacock, Rathwell, Roberts, Sheridan, Souter, Veitch and Wood. The school board consisted of Mr. W. Rathwell, Mr. J. McClennon, and Mr. B. McNern plus a secretary-treasurer, the first being Mr. A.F. Kohl and then Mr. J. Nicholson.
According to “Buffalo Trails and Tales” the school closed in June of 1942 due to the shortage of teachers as World War II was in progress.
The Mayfield School still stands. I visited the site in October 1991. I am not sure of its use as the windows were boarded up. If further information is desired, consult “Buffalo Trails and Tales.”
Mayfield School District No. 3165
Submitted by Ione M. (Plaxton) Hetherington B.Ed.
73-74