Braden's School is the oldest school in Essa today. It was built on the site of a log school used in the early pioneer days, and the lot was given by the Braden family. One of the teachers was Thos McKee, who also preached in the 1st Essa Church across the road. Later Mr McKee was Inspector for many years in South Simcoe. Among the graduates from Braden's School were the Hon J S Duff, J A Duff, C E, and Dr J A Dinwoody. Braden's School was closed on January 1960 when the new Cookstown School took over five country schools in the district.
