ECI Cornerstone

Estevan Collegiate Institute
Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada

The Original ECI Cornerstone was laid on September 20th, 1912,
by Hon. William Richard Motherwell,
b- Jan 6, 1860 in Perth Ontario
d- May 24, 1943 in Regina,
buried in Abernethy Community Cemetery,
who was then Provincial Minister of Agriculture (1906-1917).

Speeches were made by:
- The Chairman of the School Board (looking for his name now);

- Hon. George Alexander Bell,
b-Aug 3, 1956 in Brant County, Ontario, d-Sept 13, 1927 in Regina,
MLA for Estevan, 1908-1918 as a Liberal;

- James Alpin Smith,
b-Nov 15, 1868 in Halifax Co. NS, d- May 24, 1947 in Estevan
(Businessman and became Mayor of Estevan in 1913).

Also attending the Cornerstone Placement Ceremony, which started at 3 PM, and held during a heavy rain storm:
- The School Cadet Corp were the Guard of Honor; and music was supplied by the CPR Band.

The Mayor at that time declared a holiday in the town from 2-5 PM so everyone could attend the Ceremony.

It was made out of hollow Tindle Stone.

In 2005 when the building was being demolished, Bricks and many items were saved by the Legacy Committee. This included the ECI 1912 Cornerstone. It was opened by Gerry Westgard, the Bricklayer for the Memorial. Estevan Mayor at the time, Gary St. Onge, was also on hand.

The Cornerstone contained a set of 1912 coins; Sept 19, 1912, Estevan Mercury Newspaper; Sept 20, 1912, Estevan Progress Newspaper, (both published at that time); and a 1912 Public Service Bulletin (badly water damaged)

The Cornerstone was re-filled and sealed with the following items: a 2007 set of Royal Mint Canadian Coins, donated by the Royal Bank and The Estevan Credit Union; Copy of the “Black and Gold Memories” Book from 1964, (a compilation of many years of history); Pictures of the Destruction of ECI in 2005; Also a copy of the latest issue of the Estevan Mercury.

It was reinstalled in the ECI Legacy Memorial, Sept 20, 2007, and now sits safely under a column, on the side of the stairs, marked with it's original “1912” inscription on the front.

When will it be re-opened?

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