Planning for the Future while Honouring the Past.

SSPL is proud to be a tenant in the former “McKeough School” — one of Chatham’s landmark buildings, with a fascinating history behind it.

The original Forest Street School was built in 1882 as a successor to the Head Street School, the first public school in north Chatham, when the school population got too large for that first school. lt was renamed McKeough School in 1888 as a posthumous tribute to William McKeough, the Chatham businessman who, for many years, had been chairman of the Chatham Public School Board. McKeough School played a major role in the history of north Chatham, and many decades later its traditions are still fondly remembered by its former students. The building itself remains a prominent neighbourhood landmark.

Several prominent people attended the school, including Arthur Stringer, who later became one of the most popular novelists of his day; Geoffrey O'Hara, who later wrote several world-famous songs; and Leila Korber, who later became the famous actress Marie Dressler. McKeough School’s second principal, Esther Abram, was the first female principal of a multi-roomed school in Ontario. The school also saw many of its staff and former students serve in both World Wars, several of whom did not come home.

The school closed in 2001, but in January 2013 twin brothers and former students Josh & Nate Blair purchased the property. They run “Blair’s Boot Camp” fitness facility in the gymnasium. The Blair Brothers have been diligently working to convert the former classrooms into offices for small business and non-profits, bringing modern conveniences and technology into classrooms well over 100 years old.

SSPL is proud to have successfully facilitated the adaptive reuse of the former McKeough School to allow it to become the thriving multi-use facility it is today.

Planning for the future while honouring the past. We are thrilled to help give a new future to a landmark building with a storied history.