In 1860 a large two story school was built on Ottawa street. In 1864 the Great Railway Celebration was held in this school. This was at the time when the Brockville and Ottawa Railway reached Arnprior. There was a fire at the school in 1925 and the school was destroyed. All of the students were moved to available spaces across town, including the upper floor of St. John Chrysostom School, and the upper floors of business with little or no heat.
One year later the new school was built, the school would eventually be named Walter Zadow Public School, " to perpetuate the memory of Walter A. Zadow, supervising principal of Arnprior Public Schools for 26 years until December 4, 1965, These schools and thousands of today's citizens are his monument." On the cornerstone it reads, June 10, 1925. Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Henry Cockshutt placed the stone.
While Walter Zadow was principal in 1952 a new wing was added. The third wing was added in 1972 - officially opening on May 23, 1973 by the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. E.E. Stewart. T.W. Harkins and D.J. Fraser were the principals at the time. In 2017, due to a growth in student population, two classes from Walter Zadow PS began to operate in the Arnprior District High School building. Students cross the “alley” for their classrooms, but participate in all aspects of student life at Walter Zadow PS.
This display can be found in our front foyer which details much of the history of our school. The bottom right inset picture shows the various parts of the building and the years that they were built (or destroyed).