Whiting High School - Reflector Yearbook (Whiting, IN)

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J. B. KYLE, President T. S. BOYLE, Treasurer BOARD OF EDUCATION A. E. VERNON, Secretary MRS. RUTH CAMPBELL, Clerk

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......... - The RefleCtOT ............... ......-......... had board side-walks. The business district and most of the residences were east of the Pennsylvania tracks, on Center Street. The first town government was organized in 1895. In 1894, the city of Hammond had passed an ordinance annexing all of Whiting except the part comprising the plant and cottages. Previous to this, Robertsdale had been annexed at the request of its people, Whiting having refused to incorporate. Hammond believed that the Company would not raise any objection to the annexation of the territory, and having established it as part of Hammond, they could annex the plant and cottages without legal difficulty. Jacob Forsyth, the Standard Oil Company, and the citizens of Whiting joined forces, against the illegal annexations. After a long and bitter struggle in the courts, Whiting got back all the territory as far west as Atchinson Avenue. From Atchinson to the State Line remained Hammond. Whiting was incorporated as a city in 1903. During the administration of Mayor Fred J. Smith, twenty-two acres of land along the lake front were purchased to be made into a city park. Hundreds of loads of rich loam were shipped here to cover the sand hills and to furnish a foundation for the lawns, trees, and shrubbery. Thousands of dollars have been spent on the improvement of this park, until it is now one of the most beautiful in this region. It has a bathhouse, tennis courts in summer, skating pond in winter, baseball diamond, play ground for the children, band-stand, and dance pavilion. In the summer months, the park is visited by people from all over the Calumet region. In 1905 Andrew Carnegie gave to the city a beautiful Public Library. It is looted on the corner of Oliver Street and Ohio Avenue, and is surrounded by beautiful grounds. The library is now equipped with over 18,500 volumes and a most complete magazine and periodical list. It is one of the best furnished and most servicable libraries in this region. The Fortnightly Club was organized in 1894 by several women who were interested in literature and art. At first the number was limited to twenty-five, but later this restriction was removed, and at present the membership is one hundred and fifty. When the State Federation of Women’s Clubs was effected, the Fortnightly Club entered the Federation. During the last year the name has been changed to the Whiting Woman’s Club. Another social organization is the Owl’s Club, an organization of young men. The clubhouse is on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 119th Street. Since its organization in 1893 it has been an important part of the social life of the community. There are at the present time four large banks and two trust companies in Whiting. The total resources of these institutions is over five million dollars. This speaks well for the thrift of the community. The first churches were organized in 1890, both the Plymouth Congregational and the Sacred Heart churches being started in that year. Since then the number has increased until there are nine Catholic and six Protestant churches, and one Jewish synagogue. (Continued on page 11) Nine ........................iiiiiii!;tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiwimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiM

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The Reflector J. H. HOSKINSON, SUPERINTENDENT Whiting has a very fine public school system. The McGregor building, the Primary building, the old Auditorium, and the High School are on Oliver Street, while the new Junior High School adjoins them on New York Avenue. The wonderful new Junior building was completed in 1923, at a total cost of $450,000.00. It is equipped with a large gymnasium, swimming pool, and large auditorium with a well appointed stage, in addition to the class rooms. Whiting may well be proud of this building. In addition to these buildings, a handsome grade building has been erected in Wilcox, a subdivision in the south part of the city. It is a very modern structure with eight class rooms, a large auditorium, and ample playground space. In 1922 work was begun on .the Memorial Community House, given by John D. Rockefeller, Senior, John D. Rockefeller, Junior, and the Standard Oil Company of Indiana as a memorial to the Whiting soldiers and sailors who served in the late war. The building was dedicated November 12, 1923. It is located on Community Court and Clark Street. The Community House, which cost approximately $550,000.00, has been declared the finest in the United States. The building, which is brick, con-(Continued on page 91) Eleven