Arsenal Technical High School - Arsenal Cannon Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

Page 11 text:

advantage of this educational opportunity. This pri- vate organization consisted of trade schools, some of which were Pharmacy, Library Practice, and Printing. Although many prominent citizens contributed in an attempt to endow this organization, because of financial. difficulties the school, which had been opened in 19041, failed in 1909. Suit was brought by donors to force the land to be sold for repayment of their investments, but the suit was lost. Then the property was leased to the Board of School Commissioners. ln 1912, because of overcrowded conditions at Shortridge and ltlanual Training High Schools, ltlilo H. Stuart, then principal of ltianual, chose the Ar- senal for an overflow school. On September 11, one hundred eighty-three fresh- men enrolled in this new school which had eight teachers and which occupied the second floor of the Arsenal building. During the first four years, while awaiting the court decision, the school ran on a weekly basis for the lease could be Withdrawn on five days' notice. M1'. Stuart divided his time between the two high schools. On May 22, 1916, the Indiana Supreme Court gave the Board of School Commissioners the perpetual deed of trust, and since then, that day has been celebrated as Supreme Day. Those first difHcult years developed loyalty, indus- try, co-operation, good fellowship, and a school spirit that have never been lost. The school was so small that Mr. Anderson, our friend and counselor, has been our principal since 1937. all pupils knew each other. Boys enjoyed snake hunt- ing for the heavily wooded grounds had many little snakes. It was a common sight to see boys chase fright- ened girls with the snakes, dead or alive. On warm days, pupils ate under the trees, for The groves were Tech's first lunchroomf' Sandwiches and soup were dispensed at the NliC2tllCl'y.i, which was the Guard House. ltfr. Stuart was relieved of his dual responsibility in 1916 to devote his entire time to Tech, and under his guidance, this four-year-old school developed into a nationally known comprehensive high school. lllighteen years lllr. Stuart devoted to Tech, until November, 1930, when he was appointed assistant superintendent of schools in charge of secondary school education. This position he filled until his death in 1933. Tech has been fortunate in that it has had only three principals: llllr. Stuart, 11e1Vitt S. ltlorgan, and Hanson H. Anderson. ltlr. ltlorgan, second principal, was well fitted for this responsibility for since 1916 he had served as a history teacher, head of the History department, and vice-principal. lfollowing the death of the superin- tendent in 1937, lllr. llfforgan was named to this posi- tion, which he filled until his death in 19141. hir. Anderson, present principal, has also made his mark in the development of the school, having devoted all of his time since 1912, except for his years of mili- tary service, to our school. Une of the original eight Tech teachers, later he was head of the Math depart- ment g then vice-principal g and when lllr. Morgan left, he became principal. Mr. Morgan, our second principal, was known as an author and lecturer. Our beloved founder, Mr. Stuart. visualized a Greater Tech.

Page 10 text:

Conrtesy of Indianapolis Star magazine Students and faculty hurry along Senior Walk on their way to the lunchroom and to class. OUR cuxMPUs was a beautiful seventy-six-acre forest whe11 in 1862, Governor hiorton chose it as a state arsenal. Captain T. I. Treadwell, first commanding otHcer, preserved every tree he could to keep the beauty of the grounds. As a result, the school has still a small portion of the original primeval forest. In 1903, when the government abandoned this site and offered it for sale, citizens raised the purchase price of 5151545000 3 a11d the deed, which stated that the grounds could be used only for educational purposes, was given to a designated citizens, committee. Neigh- bors missed hearing the cannon boom at sunrise and sunset for they had set their clocks by it. VVinona Technical Institute was the first to take -5-

Page 12 text:

On the keystone tower archway is the date, 1865, the year the Arsenal was completed .... 3 ..