Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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After the Old Central was torn down in 1903. the New Central served as the high school until 1927 when Valparaiso High School was built Today. Benjamin Franklin Junior High School stands on the same site which 105 years ago was occupied by the Valparaiso Collegiate Institute 5

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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

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High School in use in 1927 According to the Vidette Messenger of September 2, 1927, Valparaiso High School was dedicated at 2:30 Thursday after- noon on September 1, 1927. Mayor Spooner was on the pro- gram to accept the new building on behalf of the civil city from President W. ) Morris, of the board of education. The architects of the new high school were Hamilton, Fellows, and Wilkinson of Chicago. According to the Valenian of 1939: The Valparaiso High School was erected in 1927 and is one of the finest buildings in the state. Its equipment and laboratories are modern in every respect. This institution is maintained in a most excel- lent way, and its beauty has been enhanced by extensive landscaping of the grounds. To the rear of the school build- ing is Boucher gymnasium, large and well built, which also serves as an auditorium for the high school. South side of the new high school. Without the 195 7 addition, Boucher gymnasium is visible in the background The breezeway as seen in the early history of the school Today evergreens taller than the school fill the interior and the white railing is no longer there LEV! ' ., jj TO JfVj CrlALfNCEY W 7,1 J BGUCHEftlJ jJYZiturtitiuitFf ' ALMftAEO CJ J7 JMVjL: »J5 »30 jKMJ’BK EIUEI Ij The dedication plaque to Chauncey W Boucher appears on the east side of the building next to the south en trance Most students would not recognize it since a large ever- green presently hides it from view 6