During the early part of the 20 th century, up until the construction of the school at its present location on Casimir Avenue, Dryden Continuation/High School, had often used temporary buildings to accomodate the rapidly growing school population. During the the early 1900s, Mrs. (McMonagle) Wigle was engaged as a Continuation school teacher on the condition that she taught the students in her home.
In 1912, the Board used the vacated Methodist Church, located on the north-west corner of Van Horne and Princess Streets as a location of the Continuation School. In 1923, with the opening of Albert Street School, the present day municpal offices were used as the Continuation School and High School buildings until the construction of the school presently located on Duke and Casimir Avenue.
During the mid to late 1940s, with class sizes of 40 or more students, there was a need for more accomodation. Two legendary temporary structures were used as educational settings, "The Loft" and the "Chicken Coop".
The Loft was used to teach grade 9 and 10 students in the late 1940s up until 1951. The Loft was physically separated from the main building and is fondly remembered by many as a classroom setting where learning did take place, but amongst some memorable good natured pranks carried out by the students on their teachers!
The downstairs part of the Loft building was at one time used as the Van Horne Township office. In addition, it housed the local library.
The town garage is the white building located directly behind the Loft.
The Loft was demolished when the telephone department built an expansion to the present day building. (?)