Historical information

This building opened on 19 October 1874. The front section of this building including 8 classrooms, the headmaster's office and the bell tower were destroyed by fire 27 February 1890. "The burnt section of the school was rebuilt along the lines of the original building and today the red brick facade and bell tower are a feature of the Hare Strett skyline" (Echuca Stetchbook, Blyth, I, 1978, p.32.

Significance

Henry Hopwood, founder of Echuca, saw the need to establish a national school to educate the children of Echuca. The first National School opened in October 1858 in a framed tent. Construction of the first brick school house began in 1859 on the site of the original Post Office in Hare street. Later the site changed to the southern end of Hare street and this building was opened 19 October 1874. The school stayed here until a new school was built on the old Echuca Technical School site.

Physical description

Colour photograph (post-card size) of Echuca Primary School, 208, showing the eastern facade including the bell tower, taken from the eastern side of High street.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed on the reverse:"this paper manufactured by Kodak"