In 1885, Dr. James Brien proposed and received strong support for the establishment of a new high school in Essex Centre.

On March 14, 1885, the first meeting of the school board took place at Peck's Hall led by James Naylor as chairman; and J.S.

Captain Albert Jones offered part of Lot 284 consisting of 31⁄4 acres of his land for the building site for the new school which cost approximately $10,000 (over $380,000 at the time).

It was a two-storey red brick structure measuring 64' × 67', with three classrooms on both floors, a basement, and an attic all heated with wood stoves.

Essex Free Press article, February 18, 1921 "The fire had started about 7:45 in the old furnace room.

The practice at that time was to oil the wood floors, and so the fire that started in the furnace room spread quickly.

The Monday following the fire, Orange Hall (the basement of the Library) and one classroom at the public school were used to continue classes for its 160 students.

A portion of the original façade still stands along the southeast corner of the building facing Talbot St. North.

This portion of the building is a part of the Essex Recreation Complex which was not included in the construction project.