USA > Indiana > Lake County > Reports And Papers Of Lake County Indiana (1958-1966) > Part 5
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The following tables show the changes in school buildings since the middle 30's and the increase in the number of school rooms :
CALUMET TOWNSHIP
1936
1959
Hosford Park
2 rooms
6 rooms
Longfellow
new
16 rooms
Black Oak
2 rooms
24 rooms
DeVault
new
15 rooms
Dulles
new
15 rooms
Ross
12 rooms
10 rooms
(used also for high school)
Junior H.S.
22 rooms
Senior H.S.
35 rooms
Total
16 rooms
143 rooms
CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP
Lowell Elementary
8 rooms
10 rooms
Shelby
4 rooms
5 rooms
Oak Hill
new
12 rooms
Lowell H.S.
14 rooms
20 rooms
Total
26 rooms
47 rooms
CENTER TOWNSHIP
Cedar Lake (MacArthur)
8 rooms
12 rooms
Riley
2 rooms
2 rooms
Washington
3 rooms
3 rooms
44
FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1939-1944
Taft Elementary Taft Jr. H.S.
new
15 rooms
new
10 rooms
Cedar Lake School for Exceptional Children
1 room
Total
13 rooms
43 rooms
EAGLE CREEK TOWNSHIP
Center School
4 rooms
5 rooms
Liberty
2 rooms (closed)
0 rooms
Total
6 rooms
5 rooms
HANOVER TOWNSHIP
Jane Horton Ball
new
10 rooms
Lincoln
4 rooms
11 rooms
Schiller
2 rooms
2 rooms
Brunswick
1 room
Total
6 rooms
24 rooms
HOBART TOWNSHIP
Godair Park
4 rooms
0 rooms
New Chicago
3 rooms
0 rooms
Henry S. Evans
new
24 rooms
River Forest
new
18 rooms
River Forest H.S.
new
30 rooms
River Forest Jr. High
new
15 rooms
Total
7 rooms
87 rooms
Ross TOWNSHIP
Ainsworth
4 rooms
5 rooms
Sanatorium
2 rooms
1 room
Merrillville Elem.
8 rooms
30 rooms
Merrillville H.S.
8 rooms
32 rooms
Henry Fieler
new
12 rooms
Total
22 rooms
80 rooms
ST. JOHN TOWNSHIP
45
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
Dyer H.S.
8 rooms
27 rooms
Kahler (Dyer Elem.)
8 rooms 19 rooms
Kolling
new
14 rooms
-
Total
16 rooms
60 rooms
WEST CREEK TOWNSHIP
Lake Prairie
2 rooms (closed 1959) 0 rooms
Oakland
3 rooms (closed 1959) 0 rooms
Schneider
3 rooms 5 rooms
Sheridan
2 rooms (closed 1959) 0 rooms 15 rooms
New Lake Prairie
Total
10 rooms
20 rooms
WINFIELD TOWNSHIP
Leroy
2 rooms
3 rooms
Palmer
2 rooms
2 rooms
Winfield
2 rooms
2 rooms
Total
6 rooms
7 rooms
TOWNS
Highland
9 rooms
8 rooms
Highland H.S.
new
20 rooms
Lincoln
new
12 rooms
Orchard Park
new
6 rooms
Judith M. Johnson
new
10 rooms
9 rooms
56 rooms
Munster (Elliott)
8 rooms
15 rooms
Eads
new
11 rooms
Lanier
new
15 rooms
8 rooms
41 rooms
Schererville
2 rooms
10 rooms
The following graph shows the growth in classrooms needed :
46
FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1939-1944
1946
Rooms available Deficit
1951
58
1956
81
1961
231
CLASSROOMS
200
300
400
500
600
700
LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS (OUTSIDE CITIES)
THE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION AND TEACHING
The rapid growth of the school population has necessi- tated hiring teachers without experience and some who were trained in other areas than that in which they teach. There- fore the supervisory staff has been increased to help these and to carry on a continuous in-service training program.
The superintendent's office is organized to serve in nu- merous ways. The superintendent of schools is an officer rep- resenting jointly the local school board and the state depart- ment of education. In administering the rulings of the state board of education and the policies of the state superintendent of public instruction, the superintendent represents the state of Indiana. In matters purely local, the superintendent of schools acts under the authority of and represents his local board of school trustees.
The supervisors work with principals and teachers to evaluate and improve instruction. They help in discovering and identifying the individual needs of children-mental, so- cial, physical, and emotional-and recommend means of meet-
47
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
ing those needs. They are also concerned with the improve- ment of the curriculum, teaching materials and the socio- physical environment of the teaching situation. Pupil growth is the ultimate goal of the total educative process. Supervi- sion, therefore, is concerned with everything that furthers the development of teachers and pupils.
The audio-visual supervisor helps the teacher select and obtain instructional materials designed to enrich the classroom experiences of the children. These include educational motion pictures, filmstrips, slides, charts, still pictures, recordings, and other materials. The audio-visual supervisor is also re- sponsible for the operation and utilization of the county film library which consists of over one hundred seventy motion pictures used by the schools. Assistance in the operation of equipment, the production of teacher and pupil-made ma- terials, and consultation on special problems related to in- structional materials are other services that are available to the teacher.
The speech and hearing therapists work with children who have difficulty with speech or with hearing. When a dif- ficulty is discovered by the teacher, it is referred to the thera- pist. Parents are informed and are asked to take the child to a physician for medical examination. After the diagnosis of the physician, work is started by the therapist. In many cases it is necessary for parents to work with the child on speech exercises recommended. Speech and hearing therapy is an im- portant part of the school program.
The attendance officers work to keep children attending school regularly.
Your principal is directly responsible for his school's pro- gram and the quality of work accomplished. The principal works with teachers for the educational advancement of chil- dren and with parent organizations to keep them informed about the school. In some of our smaller schools a head teacher performs some of these functions.
The teacher directs the learning of all pupils. She tries to meet the individual needs of the weak, average and superior child. Children should take the educational process at their natural stride. Some parents expect too rapid progress and insist that the child do a great deal of homework. In some instances this is a detriment rather than a help to the child.
Indiana has one of the highest standards for teacher qual-
48
FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1939-1944
ification of any state. To secure a teaching license a teacher must have four years of training in the particular area of teaching. The trend is toward five years of training. The standards apply to every public school teacher whether in a city or a remote rural community. Standards are set by our state board of education.
Lake County during this period has had a high salary schedule. The state legislature approves the state minimum salary schedule and the funds for operating it. These funds are distributed to each trustee on the basis of a formula. The townships adopt their own salary schedule with the state scale as a base and supplemented by township funds.
There is not a single salary schedule for the county but the trustees try to keep them as nearly together as possible. A beginning teacher may in 1959 draw over $4000.00 per year and those who have taught twenty years or more $6500.00.
To make the profession more attractive and to entice more young people to join it, Indiana has adopted one of the best pension systems. The state contributes 4/7 and the teacher 3/7 of a yearly amount. This with social security adds to the security of the teachers in later years. They may start draw- ing after fifteen years experience if they have reached a cer- tain age and may retire after forty or more years with well above a $5000.00 annual income.
The number of teachers and principals in Lake County, in- cluding the three towns, in 1934 was 172; in 1959 was 685 for the same area. These numbers include principals and special teachers such as art, music, physical training, shop, home eco- nomics, and agriculture.
THE CURRICULUM AND TEACHING
The textbook commission of the state board of education selects a multiple list of five for each subject. The local school committees and school superintendent select one series from this list and these are placed on the basic textbook list for the next five years. However, we have moved far away from single textbook teaching to multiple text use plus library serv- ices for all schools, school libraries and room libraries. These books are in all subjects and on all levels of achievement. Each room is provided with reading materials at least two grades above and two below that grade. This is to care for individual differences. In addition to the libraries, there is a
49
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
central film library and building audio-visual materials to en- rich and extend learnings.
The school bus service enables pupils to explore this rich area with its industries, museums and parks.
Teaching is no longer a question and answer method but a problem solving one in which the work is arranged by teacher and pupils into large units of work to explore and solve.
The school experiences are enriched by music, art, drama and athletic organizations.
Pupil abilities of Lake County follow the national trend- that is about one half of them are of average ability, one quarter above average and one quarter below. To meet the needs of the former there is a program of enrichment and challenge. The slow learner has simpler materials, many vis- ual aids and a minimum of essentials to learn. For the very slow there are three rooms for exceptional children-those too slow to profit in a regular classroom situation.
While the office of the state superintendent of schools is- sues courses of study and handbooks for guidance the building of a full curriculum is left to the local community. Hand- books and bulletins from the office of the superintendent of Lake County schools are guides to the teachers in developing their daily programs.
A program of evaluation helps teachers, pupils and par- ents to know the progress of pupils. In addition to teacher made tests, standardized tests are administered once per year to help in determining if a child is living up to his potential and to learn how the Lake County norm compares with the national norm. These tests reveal that we compare favorably.
Intelligence tests administered in grades one and again in the middle grades help to reveal the child's potential. If he is not living up to it, the nursing service, Lake County Mental Hygiene Clinic, and parent interviews are the means of at- tacking the problem.
TRANSPORTATION
A fleet of buses transport the pupils to and from school. Some children in walking distance ride the bus because par- ents are afraid for them to walk on highways. Careful train- ing of drivers and inspection of the vehicles have reduced
50
FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1939-1944
hazards to a minimum.
EXPENSE
Lake County is chiefly a suburban area with few indus- tries except farming and truck gardening. Most of the sub- divisions are modest homes that do not yield much tax income. To make matters worse there are many trailer courts from which the tax income is small. Although the assessed valua- tion increased from $34,388,935 in 1944 to $59,921,935 in 1954 and the average school levy from $1.27 to $2.89 in the same span of time, total school expenditure rose from $977,827 in 1945 to $3,941,484 in 1955. Expenditures have kept pace with increased enrollments but valuations per pupil have declined. This has necessitated a constantly rising school levy.
This graph illustrates the steady climb in enrollments and not so fast climb in assessed valuation but the decline in valu- ation per pupil.
PERCENT INCREASE
150
Assessed valuation
14,650
130
L
110
1
1
90
1
$64,956,730
70
1
1
50
1
1
1
30
-
10
-
-10
$4,433
-30
1946
1951
. 1956
ト
Valuation per pupil Enrollment - -
- .
I
51
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS (OUTSIDE CITIES)
The Lake County superintendents who have served 1934- 1959:
Mr. A. E. Condon (prior) 1934-1937
Mr. Cecil Grayson
1937-1953
Mr. Robert Brannock
1953-1957
Mr. William Purcell
1957-1959
52
CHAPTER III Period
1944-45; 1945-46; 1946-47; 1947-48; 1948-49
The seventieth all-day meeting of the Old Settlers and Historical Association of Lake County was held October 27, 1945, in the criminal court basement assembly room, where the committee prepared the tables and other arrangements for the basket dinner. Appreciation to Mesdames Verna Mount, John Knotts and Marie Stultz of Crown Point, Miss Nancy Jane Weis of Munster, Mrs. Mary Jane Williams of East Gary, and Mrs. Pauline McRoberts of Schneider.
President H. C. Groman, Hammond, graciously responded to the cordial greeting by Mayor W. Vincent Youkey. A brief session for annual reports by the officers was conducted.
Mr. Walter Pickart, an insurance man from Gary, began the program hour with an entertaining, informal talk about "Famous and Curious Wills." Mrs. Frances Aken Hagen de- lighted all with her charming interpretation of old-time fa- vorite melodies.
Mrs. Ida Griffen Bomberger, a regent of the Timothy Ball Chapter, NSDAR, of Hammond, told from personal acquaint- ance, hitherto unprinted traits, customs, and incidents of "The Ball Family."
The "Grand Old Man" of our association had more inter- esting tales about what happened back in his early days. Sam B. Woods is an unusual individual with a rare ability to recall and to entertain. All enjoyed the display of family heirlooms brought by Mr. Groman.
Mayor Youkey expressed his pleasure that the association was holding the October 26, 1946, meeting in our fair city, to which President Schmal responded in the same humorous manner.
The first number on the program was a comprehensive discussion of "The Business of Your Health Department," by Dr. Wm. D. Weis, secretary of the Lake County Board of Health.
Mrs. Amos (Beulah Plummer) Brannon read a well-pre- pared biographical sketch of Melvin A. Halsted, founder of the town of Lowell, leading businessman, owner of the grain mill, and civic-minded. He was instrumental in getting the
53
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
Monon Railroad of the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railroad Corporation to include Lowell in its route.
"Janie" (Miss Mary Jane Fisher), a columnist on the Gary Post Tribune staff, was responsible for the famous "clip sheet" which was "a special" written during World War II and mailed to every "G.I." of the county. The letters which she received expressing their appreciation are priceless in content. She related many of the beautiful messages of heart- felt gratitude.
Reminiscences by Mrs. James A. Bevan, née Claribel Clark, revived happy memories for many.
November 8, 1947, President Otto J. Dahl found it diffi- cult to reconvene after an extra long and enjoyable informal period. Renewal of acquaintances, especially at the dinner table, was very enthusiastic.
Audience singing of "America" and the pledge of al- legiance was followed by the brief business and reports.
An ensemble from the Crown Point High School, George Ewing their director, entertained with several well rendered selections. Walter Gard introduced Miss Lydia Hess whose father was founder of the town of Hessville, now a part of the city of Hammond. He was the inn keeper, the postmaster, the only storekeeper and the trustee of North Township for many years.
Perry Brannon, a resident of West Creek Township for eighty years or more, recalled incidents about his family and neighbors that were so typical of the hardships and pleasures of those long-ago days. Frank B. Pattee, Sam B. Woods and Dr. John W. Iddings added richly to these "neighborhood tales."
Carl Nelson, Hobart, gave us a thrilling review of the re- cent centennial celebration in a series of motion pictures in color. Mr. Nelson is an experienced amateur whose pictures are of unusual clarity and proper perspective. The movies are very valuable for student research in history and afforded a delightful program.
Items of business were: Sam B. Woods announced his of- fer of three prizes for an essay on the topic, "The Future of Lake County." It is to be written by a young person still un- der twenty-one years of age. The essays will be judged by a
54
FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
competent committee; there is a time limit for entries and the story must be brief-word-limit to be a factor. The first prize will be $5.00, second $3.00 and third prize to be $2.00. These will be read at next year's program.
Also, a petition was circulated for signatures. It is "To secure action by the county commissioners in regard to look- ing toward the erection of a building for a county historical museum to house our historical relics and books."
November 6, 1948, in spite of the late date in the year, had a goodly registration from over the county to enjoy the fellow- ship and the delicious basket dinner.
President Earl Bailey conducted the brief business meet- ing. He announced that there were twenty-four classifica- tions in the category for prizes this year. The gifts, donated by merchants throughout the county, were on display on a table in the rear; beautiful and useful things for child, woman and man. These were to be awarded before "Auld Lang Syne" is sung.
The talented Davis sisters of Lowell, Margery, Betty and Rosemary, delighted us with a variety program of music, in- strumental and vocal.
It was voted and passed that the executive committee for the ensuing year would be comprised of the current corps of officers plus the past presidents. The latter would be ex- officio members.
Mrs. L. L. Bomberger, Hammond, gave an interesting resume and showed pictures of her observations and experi- ences during her recent trip in Europe.
Mrs. Joseph E. Brown read biographical sketches, samples of the type that will appear in a book entitled "Pioneer Wo- men of Lake County." The research will be aided if stories are contributed by descendants of these ladies. Selected for the program were Mesdames Solon (Mariah) Robinson, Har- riett Warner Holton, Jane A. Horton Ball and Lucy Winches- ter Taylor. A Bible belonging to Mrs. Taylor, "Aunt Lucy," dated 1850, was displayed by Ethel Vinnedge, great-grand- daughter.
An invitation to hold the 1950 meeting at the home of Dr. John W. Iddings, 603 South Court Street, Crown Point, was extended by him. That will be the 75th anniversary of
55
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
the Old Settlers and Historical Association of Lake County. The first meeting was September 25, 1875, in the old Floral Building on the "old" county fairgrounds, which is the tract of land on which the Iddings house is built and extends west- ward on the south part of Ellendale Circle. It was accepted with pleasure.
The Lake County Star has published a series of articles on early history of the city and county written by Richard Mybeck, a native son who is now at Purdue University. At the suggestion of Walter Gard the secretary was directed to write a letter of commendation to "Dick" for the fine contri- butions to our history.
Fred W. Schmal commented on a recent newspaper ar- ticle that told about the notorious trial in Lake Circuit Court concerning a gun battle back in the 90's between the warden of the Tolleston Gun Club and poachers. Its location is now within the Gary city limits.
Attention was called to the exhibit of the pictures of groups in various scenes at the 1934 centennial celebration. The box of pictures was brought from the county recorder's office in care of one of the deputies, and returned there for safe keeping .*
The 74th convocation October 29, 1949, was convened by the President, Thomas K. Fisher, at 1:00 o'clock after a most enjoyable, informal morning and the delicious and bountiful basket dinner.
The patriotic opening, singing "America," the pledge of allegiance, and the brief business with reports given and filed, was followed by the address of Wiley W. Stone, state lecturer of the Indiana State Grange. He pleased his audience by re- citing several of his original poems.
Cecil Irwin, principal of the Crown Point High School, interpreted dramatically a number of readings, both humor- ous and serious.
"The Life of a Pioneer Woman," written by Miss Ethel Vinnedge, was read by Mrs. John Knotts.
The first and second winners in the essay contest spon- sored by Mr. Sam B. Woods were reported. Mrs. F. A. Malm-
* Mr. Frank Borman, former president and a county recorder.
56
FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
stone, Griffith, and Mrs. Chester A. Clark, Cedar Lake, daugh- ters of Mr. Woods, read the statements and prophesy of "The Future of Lake County."
An excerpt, from the address of the day by the Rev. F. W. Backemeyer, First Presbyterian Church of Gary, is an inspir- ing keynote to close, "Tell them while they are living-a word of cheer can provide the help needed for many a discouraged man (or woman) in public service-to continue his service."
Helix Corporation By MARY NOWISKI
In February, 1947, a company was formed to be known as the Helix Sales Company. In November of that year it was incorporated and was called The Helix Corporation. It pres- ently operates under that name. The stockholders who or- ganized the company were Martin Teibel, Stephen Teibel, W. Wognum and Earl Martin, Jr. These original stockholders and Ed Leeney, a Hammond attorney, comprised the first board of directors. Elected as president was Martin Teibel; vice-president was W. Wognum; treasurer was Stephen Tei- bel, and Earl Martin, Jr., became the manager. The first em- ployee hired was Joseph Zimmer who became the office man- ager in March, 1947. His duty was to handle the credit, the shipping and the purchasing.
Our first place of business was the office of the Wognum Implement Sales at Hebron, Indiana, presently operating as the D&K Implement. We were here from 1947 to 1949.
The purposes of this new organization, The Helix Sales Company, are :
(a) To distribute internationally a rotary tillage tool for farm use, which was manufactured by the Helix Manufactur- ing Company of Michigan City, Indiana. This factory has been discontinued.
(b) To sell wholesale garden tractors and steel wagon boxes, also Garden-all tractors and Gramm wagon boxes, in the midwest states area.
(c) To develop and market a tractor-driven power forage unloader for handling grain, forage and similar materials.
Our place of business was moved to Crown Point, Indiana, in 1949. The offices were in the Zichak residence on East Joliet Street just beyond the postoffice. The warehouse space
57
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY
was on North Grant Street in a building formerly occupied by Barton Motors, the Kaiser-Frazier dealers, next door to the Hayden Hatchery Building. During this time the first Helix power unloader was offered to the market (in 1949) and was subcontracted to the Letz Manufacturing Company, just over the Pennsylvania railroad tracks on East North Street. This was for one year. The Holliday Steel of Hammond fabricated our unloading line.
In 1952 the new factory and office facilities were com- pleted on North Main Street and the business moved to its new home and present headquarters. Partial outside fabrica- tion continued until 1954; at this time fabricating equipment was installed and the paint room facilities were enlarged. H. Vandersee, formerly employed by the W. Letz Manufactur- ing Company, was employed as production manager.
Presently-the summer of 1959-we manufacture two lines of power unloaders for farm use, namely: (1) forage line, (2) dry feed line. The forage line consists of twenty different models and the dry feed line or auger unloaders con- sists of approximately fifteen different models.
Our sales are made through a distributor network of ap- proximately twenty distributors operating coast to coast.
We manufacture machines for the J. I. Case Company, the United Co-op, and Sears Roebuck. Our export business is handled by our exporter, the A. F. Axelrod firm, New York. We have shipped various machines to Puerto Rico, the Philip- pines, South America, Israel, and Sweden. Recently we were visited by Mr. and Mrs. Ramos of Peru, South America. The Ramos family operates a 35,000-acre farm and have a 200-head dairy herd.
The first board of directors of five men and one office manager in March of 1947 was the staff of this small office firm, which has continuously grown and now twelve years later there is an office staff of eight and sixty factory em- ployees.
Scanning the 1958 advertising folder, various items that are made are pen sketched and described in detail and are not only informing to the potential purchaser but intriguing for the casual observer. Examples are: portable PTO mixer- blender, convertible auger box, automatic power un-loaders, automatic all-steel bunk feeders, each with graphic detail in regard to the construction as well as the use. Perhaps the con-
58
FIVE YEAR PERIOD-1944-1949
vertible auger box was the most complicated. Model 100 has both front or rear delivery, changeable at will, converts to mixer-blender or bulk delivery unit. It has a ninety-bushel capacity and ten other advantages are listed.
The increasing demand for their products necessitates that they plan a near-future expansion for their present plant, adding buildings as they are needed.
WWCA Radio Station By EDWARD VENNON
WWCA is a 1000-watt radio station located in the Hotel Gary. The station was founded December 9, 1949. Dee O. Coe of Crown Point is majority stockholder, president, and general manager.
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