Fort William Playgrounds at Central School, 1914 – Downtown Fort William
This lively 1914 photograph captures children participating in Fort William’s playground program on the grounds of Central School. The initiative was part of a forward-thinking civic effort to encourage healthy play, physical activity, and community values among local youth. Central School, established in 1895 at the corner of Miles and May Streets in Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay), was demolished in the late 1950s. The site was then transformed into Paterson Park, named after Senator Norman M. Paterson, founder of Paterson Global Foods. The park features a fountain and benches on an artificial hill, serving as a green space in the downtown area. Central School was eventually demolished, its legacy remains deeply rooted in the early educational and social history of Fort William.
