Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

Page 6 text:

Table of Contents History Section pa ge 4 Opening Section P a ge 26 Academics page 42 Organizations page 74 SpOrtS page 102 Album Section pag e 120 3

Page 5 text:

Fifty Years of Challenge and Change

Page 7 text:

Institute first on BF grounds The Presbyterian Collegiate Institute was the first educational institution erected on the site between Institute and Ene where Benjamin Franklin Jr High School stands today The ground where Benjamin Franklin lunior High School stands has been occupied by various educa- tional institutions since 1860. In 1860, the land was sold to the Valparaiso Collegiate Institute, a Presbyterian organization. This organiza- tion erected the first building, the Presbyterian Col- legiate Institute. In 1861, when the Valparaiso College Institute opened its doors. Rev. S. C. Logan, pastor of the Presbyterian church, was principal; and H. A. Newell, studying for the ministry, was his assistant. The college declined, and in 1869, the property was sold to the School City of Valparaiso. A structure similar to the one on the south lot was built some distance to the north These buildings were connected by a nar- rower three story structure. The upper floor housed the high school, while the first and second stories pro- vided twelve rooms for grade children. All other school houses in the town were closed, except one building near the Mica factory, then the Woolen Mills. This was thought to be too far from the new building for the pupils to attend William Hail Banta was selected as superintendent of the consolidated schools of Valparaiso, lames Mc- Fetrich was principal of the high school. In 1895, after Superintendent Banta resigned, the trustees selected C. H. Wood of New Harmony, Indiana, as his successor. At the beginning of the superintendency of A. A. Hughart, in 1903, the old building was condemned and torn down. The entire high school was installed in cramped quarters above what was then the post office. The two stone slabs, commemorating those active in providing the first co nsolidated public school in Porter county, were taken from the 1870 building and set in the walls of the two entrances of the new structure. After Mr. Hughart removed to Coffeeville, Kansas, in 1912, Eugene Skinkle became superintendent. He died in office in 1915 and C. W. Boucher assumed the superintendency in September, 1915. According to the lanuary 13, 1939 issue of the Val- post: On Wednesday evening December 28, 1939 the Central School Building was destroyed by fire. Defec- tive wiring in an upper west room is believed to be the cause of the disaster. The alarm was turned in about eight o ' clock and it took Valparaiso, Cary, and Michigan City firemen until about four a m. to extinguish the blaze. . . . The School City will receive a total of $85,625.90. $81,355.90 is for the loss on the building, and the remaining $4,270 on the contents of the build- ing. New Central Building burned on December 28, 1939 It took firemen about eight hours to extinguish the blaze