Description of Historic Place

The Northfield School is a two story, institutional building located on a main thoroughfare in a mixed-use neighbourhood north of the city centre. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.

Heritage Value

The Northfield School building is significant as one of few remaining early buildings in an area that, until amalgamation with the City of Nanaimo in 1975, was a distinct community. Originally developed as a coal mining town in the late 19th century, Northfield enjoyed a brief resurgence as such in the late 1930s. In addition to coal mining, small-scale farming, dynamite manufacturing and other businesses were developed. Amalgamation and development between separate coal towns eventually blurred the distinctions among them. Northfield School serves as a physical reminder of the area's original development as a distinct community.

Built around 1920, the Northfield School is a very good example of Department of Public Works school designs of this era. Typical elements of this style include a central front entry, ground level first floor and banks of windows in the upstairs classrooms. Minor alterations over time have not altered the essential form or overall appearance of the building.

The Northfield School's height, mass and location on a main thoroughfare make it an important neighbourhood landmark.

Source: City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Northfield School building include:
- all of the elements of provincial government school design of this era as expressed in the form and notable massing, horizontal lapped twin beveled wooden siding, multi-paned double-hung and wooden-sash casement windows, complex hip roof with parallel front gable extensions, central entry with half-timbering in the gable over the front door, attic vents in the gable ends.
- the building's location on a main thoroughfare.