Tolleston High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Gary, IN)

Page 10 text:

TBG MARCHES ON! It was morning, the dav.n of a memorable day, as Fath- er Marquette saw for the first time this new land, Uo white man had touched this earth before him. Ho one had marred its natural beauty. Here was a voodl nd, a clear blue sky; here the birds sang, rejoicing in their freedom. Here the Indian dwelt, unharmed by white men's unwelcome presence. Father Marquette, standing on the shores of Lake Michigan, upon the very spot that we proudly call Mar- quette Park, silently thanked God for his faithful guid- ance. The sun rose serenely above the bright blue water, ana he knew that his work had truly begun. His land of opportunity lay before him. This was v;hat he had prryed for, and now, his prayers answered, he must prove himself worthy. Day after day. Father Marquette v;orked faithfully among the Indians, who saw in him a reverent persevering man, busy in his task of teaching them to live and worship righteously. V.’hen Marquette and his small party left this region to resume their journey south, they hc.d unknowingly planted the seed that later blossomed into a great Middle Vest They had begun the westward expansion of a nation, so that it became, not thirteen snail states, but forty- eight united sections of a powerful country. After Father Marquette, came the hunters and trappers and later, the covered wagons. Each man was a pioneer, and each homestead,a thorn in the flesh of the wilderness. Kany Indians were driven from their primitive dv;ellings and forced to seek refuge by moving westward and away from the intruding white man. In their tracks they left their knowledge of corn growing, of fishing, rnd of huntin'. Time marches or.l In 1837, 164 yec.rs after Father Marquette landed on the shore of Lake Michigan, the famous Gibson Inn was op n- ed where Froebel School is novr located. It was run by Mrs. Gibson primarily for the purpose of providing a lodging for stage coach travelers. Thore werc only a few farms in this region, and Indians were .-till roaming tho v ildcrness. From Pittsburgh, in 1858, cam.e George Tolle, a German manufacturer of surgical instruments. He invested a good deal in land in this region that later -was named Tollcston in his honor. By 1862, most of tho Indians had left, and in that year the first public school opened Here, in a portable building, Liss Hattie Thomao taught ten pioneer pupils. Tolleston made slow progross until 1905, when the U. Steel Corporation began constructing the steel mills at the tip of Lake Michigan. 6

Page 9 text:

To that vast number whose loyalty and interest have brought about the development and progress of' Tolleston School, we dedicate this volume. 5

Page 11 text:

: i It was not long before Gary sprang up, providing homes for the mill workers. This community soon outgrew Tolles- ton so in 1910, Tolleston was annexed to Gary. In that year the'biggest property boom in history took place. Also, the Gary School System, founded by Mr. William A. Wirt, began to gain fame. Time marches on: . Nineteen hundred and twenty—three marked t..e birth ot Tolleston School. Hr. H. S. Jones, director of social stud- ies, presided as principal during the first year. His suc- cessor’ was Kiss Lola 3. Peai-y. She led Tolleston through ,- its development from a primary to a junior high school, and $ ; 5 it was Hiss Pearcy's fondest desire that Tolleston would; ■ f i some day graduate its first high school class. All her aims were directed toward this end, hut she did not live to see her ambition fulfilled. In January, 1934, she quietly passed on, but the memory of her kindly spirit will forever remain dear to the hearts of all who knew her. ■ = Mr. James W. Standley became principal in 1934. Kis l| progressive ideas and plans began to take form when it was announced that Tolleston would at last have a senior high announce a — . school. Therefore, each following year an additional graa$ - was added. Time marches on! The day is almost here when Tolleston will graduate its first senior class. On that day the dreams of Father Mar- quette, George Tollo,Miss Thomas, Miss Pearcy, Mr. Standley, and every loyal Tollestonian will be realized. But this is not the end, by any moans, for time will march crij and with it will march the progress of Tolleston. 7