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Copeman's House (1929)
Following the fire of 1926, the new School was built to accommodate 150 students, 50 more than the enrolment at the time of the fire. However, Lonsdale had underestimated, and within two years, more dormitory space was needed. Construction on a new dormitory for 100 boys with its own kitchen and dining room began in early 1929 and opened in September. It was located on the hill east of the driveway and was named Copeman's House to honour J.Y. Copeman, the School's lawyer, a generous supporter, and Lonsdale's close friend.
Unfortunately, the Depression and the War caused enrolment to plummet, and in 1933 Copeman's House was forced to close, reassigning Copeman’s boys to one of the other Houses. In 1947, when Brentwood College School lost their own campus in Brentwood Bay to fire, Brentwood students were housed in the still-vacant Copeman's House for one term.
Over time, enrolment climbed again and Copeman's House was reopened in 1954. From 1954-1957, it was used as a dormitory for junior boys from the other three houses. By 1957, it was reinstated as a full-fledged House with boys from all grades. From 1959-1968, "Junior House," for Grade 7 boys, occupied the top floor, but in 1968 it was decided to discontinue it and form a fifth official house: Lonsdale's House.
Disaster struck on August 22, 1968 when Copeman’s House was completely destroyed in a fire – just two weeks before school was to start. The displaced boys lived in portable Atco trailers temporarily set up in the Quad and at the foot of the hill near the Bruce-Lockhart Centre for Creativity (formerly known as the Hobbies Building), while new concrete dormitories were built in a new "modern" style.
The concrete "Hill Houses" (Copeman’s and Lonsdale’s) remained in place until 2004 when they were replaced by new buildings. The original retaining walls and the stairs leading from the driveway to the front door of the original Copeman’s House still exist today.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
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