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our HammondTurning Back the Pages for a Glimpse Into the Historyof Its First Half-CenturyHammond has many highly specialized schools today but that has not always been the case. As we who are about to celebrate the 50th birthday of our city, look back through history’s pages we find that the first school house was erected in 1863. Miss AmandaKoontz presided proudly aa teacher in this modest little school, giving her services during the sixty' day term, for 120 a month.Among the first pupils were Louisa Sohl, later Mrs. Beall (now deceased), Otilia Hohman, later Mrs. Johnson (now deceased), Louisa Drackert, now Mrs. Charles Mayer, Caroline Drackert, now Mrs. Chris German, Alice Sohl, Charles G. Hohman, Louie E. Hohman and Jane Goodman.Several fine teachers, interested in pioneering in school work, taughtat the Hammond school. They' included Mary Lohse who taught the winter of 1 864-1 865; Mr. Smith, teacher from 1 566-1867; Mary St.John, in charge early in 1868, and Louise Dutton finished the term. In 1869-1S70, Louise Sohl taught and in ’70 and ’71, Miss Teed was in charge. D. N. McKinney and Mary Harper taught from 1872 through '75. Others who presided as padagogues in the early days were A. A. Winslow, assisted by Alice Webster and Dr. Forsyth, who was assisted by Helen Winslow.As the school grew and more pupils had to be accommodated, a new building Was erected about wherethe city hall now stands.By 1881 the school was ao crowded that M. M. Towle, one of the most public spirited citizens, erected a handsome school on the corner of Fayette and Hohmar. This two. story building contained eight rooms, four of which were completed at the outset. At this handsome edifice, Miss Agnees Dyer presided as principal, assisted by Helen Winslow, Emma. Mott and AliceWebster. Central school proudly stood on the site occupied by the First Trust building.In 1882, Floyd Traux accepted the position as principal of Central, resigning later. D. McKinley was appointed to fill bis place. The school term in those days was eight months long. M. M. Towle completed his tasks as school trustee in 1883.From 1883 to 1890 W. C. Belman taught some of the classes at Central and in 1890 was in charge of all township work which included service in Hammond, Whiting and East Chicago, all of which towns came under the same system.In 1887, the Hammond High school was organized for there was then a crying need for higher school work.The first board of education was appointed in Hammond by the city council and was composed of K. H.Bell, A. W. Warren and J. B. Woods, father of Roscoe Woods. Mr. Bell served for a year, Mr. Woods, two years, and Mr. Warren, three. In 1895 Mr. Bell resigned to have his place filled b3' A. M. Turner, who was lat^r electee to a term of three years. On June 12, 1896, historyshows that Stephen Ripley succeeded J. B. Woods as president of the school board and that A. W.Warren, who resigned, was followed by O. A. Krtnbill.In the year 1 895, kindergarten work was introduced in the Hammond schools. That year, the stupendous sum of $17,304.35 constituted the pay roll.It is interesting in consideringthese early school facts to know' that in 1867, Frank Hess, then a boy of 13 years, took th* first schoolenumeration. His father. JosephHess, was a township trustee. The result of this colossal task revealed that scattered throughout what is now' known as Hammond, he found eight children of school age.Cr
Newspaper Details
Hammond Lake County Times
Hammond, Indiana, US
Wed, Jun 14, 1933
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Hammond P.
IN, USA 14 Feb 2019
Other Publications Near Hammond, Indiana
Hammond Times
Hammond Lake County Times
Hammond Whiting Evening Times
Hammond Gary Evening Times
