Morton High School - Top Hat Yearbook (Hammond, IN)

Page 9 text:

delayed construction hinders opening DESOLATE AND BARREN, the courtyard waits for the work¬ men who will turn its dirt and stone to beauty. Years of planning preceded the Morton Senior High School opening. Although hindered by construction, tne delayed opening provided most students with a first hand glimpse of the new Governor home. Because the building was far from complete at the original opening date, students were introduced to the new school in stages. Each class had a half-day orien¬ tation at the start of the first semester. Certain areas, such as the gym, the auditorium, and the shop rooms, were restricted from student use while workmen com¬ pleted the work needed on these sections. Started as a city-wide project in spring 1962, Morton was the first Hammond high school to be financed by public bonds. With this plan, it will take 17 years to complete payments on the 7.6 million dollar complex. This was also the first time that a holding company was used by the Hammond School city to finance a project. The holding company is comprised of private citizens who have an interest in Morton. The official title of this company is the Hammond Morton Building Cor¬ poration. Dr. H. Taylor is president, with Mrs. Dan Schlesinger as vice president, Mr. H. Gescheidler as sec¬ retary-treasurer and Mr. P. Singleton and Mr. R. Florence as members. I t was organized on February 26, 1965. The formal dedication was held on May 1, 1968, with city, state and school officials attending. MOVING DAY PROBLEMS were evident in many home eco¬ nomics classrooms. Appliances were left disconnected as crews tried to install the pipes and circuits which would put the new stoves and refrigerators into action. SILHOUETTED BY THE AFTERNOON SUN, a workman strives to prepare the Governors ' Mansion for the opening semester.

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PILED HIGH by workmen who hurried to finish the building, stacks of cartons could be seen by students throughout the school. BARE WALLS, AN UNVARNISHED FLOOR and tangled wires were all that greeted students who ventured into the unfinished gym.

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pupils recall old memories; new scenes SCHOOL BULLETIN BOARD supplies students with current in¬ formation pertaining to various Morton activities. AMPLE PARKING SPACE acquired with the completion of the Governor home. FLYING PROUDLY over its surroundings, a new American flag, a present from the VFW adds the final touch to the building.