Found these great photos in a mall parking lot here in Toronto over the weekend. Both feature school photos of kids and their teacher, along with kids’ signatures on the back. Where are these kids now? What about the teacher? Why were these photos left in the parking lot?

In high-res (1.3Mb)

In high-res (1.6Mb)

In high-res (1.7 Mb)

In high-res (1.2 Mb)

Not much is known about the first school. There is a distinctive school entrance plaque in the first photo which mentions September 19, 1926 and Henry Cockshutt, the lieutenant-governor of Ontario at the time. The writing on the back indicates that it was taken in 1967.

The second photo was taken in November of 1959 and the school in question is JR Wilcox. This lady seems to be the teacher, Ms. McLiath or McHath (sp?) – I think they look similar enough to be the same person. I am assuming that these photos were owned by the teacher because of the signatures. However, maybe all of the students signed each photo? Do you see any similarities in any of the students?

Interestingly enough, both photos also feature mirrored signatures (John Lang and Chris).

Any Internet detectives wishing to take on this case? I figured I can try to find the teacher and mail the photos back to her.

Update: Created a Flickr page housing all the photos.

• Posted by LB on May 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

  Glen Watson is the Principal of J. R. Wilcox Community School
  (416-394-2388) and he may have records showing who she is/was – the second photo has a class room number on the board which would help identify the teacher.

• Posted by Valentine on May 19th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

  Thanks, that’s a great idea! I’ll give them a call and see where that leads me.

• Posted by LB on May 20th, 2009 at 10:19 am

  no worries! let me know if you hear anything, i’m all intrigued now…