11-30-2011
( Reply#: 7516 ) |
Bill Bucko |
"1924 Harding School now replaces Gibson School."
That would be the old wooden portable Harding that Shep attended. In my time (50s-60s) kindergarten through 6th grade went to the newer brick building; 7th and 8th grade went to the portable. Gym for all grades was also in the portable, till the new gym was added to the brick building around 1962.
"1973 Demolition begins on the old 1903 Superior Court House."
That supplies a date for when that great black stone tower was built. On shopping trips it was usually hidden from view by Goldblatt's, but 4 year old kids like me were occasionally surprised to see it towering mysteriously overhead.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
12-02-2011
( Reply#: 7534 ) |
S C Jones |
There seems to be a concerted effort in the recorded history of Hammond to omit the fact that Hessville was the first settlement. I have seen that mentioned, but I believe it was in an article about Joseph Hess. Is that oversight due to the industrial and downtown area that grew out of the struggle with Illinois over the use and diverting of the Calumet River? Any guesses, or more astute observations? |
12-03-2011
( Reply#: 7547 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
There seems to be a concerted effort in the recorded history of Hammond to omit the fact that Hessville was the first settlement. I have seen that mentioned, but I believe it was in an article about Joseph Hess. Is that oversight due to the industrial and downtown area that grew out of the struggle with Illinois over the use and diverting of the Calumet River? Any guesses, or more astute observations?
A close examination of the timeline reveals the following facts:
- The 1873 entry states "At the flip of a coin the unincorporated area known as "State Line" officially becomes known as Hammond."
- The 1947 entry states " "Hessville" is 100 years old."
This seems to indicate that Hessville was "born" 26 years before Hammond (the difference between 1847 and 1873). |
12-03-2011
( Reply#: 7552 ) |
S C Jones |
Yes, Jay, that is my point—The question is, I guess, is it did Hammond at some time do an "incorporation" or metropolitan move to include Hessville; maybe at the time of delineating the Northwest boundry of Hammond? Hessville had its own PO and in actuality seems to be the first settlement in the boundries that became known as Hammond. I guess, I think Hessville was more than a neighborhood and it was Hessville that sets the Eastern boundry.
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12-03-2011
( Reply#: 7554 ) |
wvcogs |
This is a quote from The Calumet Region, Indiana's Last Frontier by Powell A. Moore, 1959, Indiana Historical Bureau:
In 1911 the city (Hammond) annexed all the territory in North Township north of the Little Calumet River that was not already occupied by East Chicago and Whiting. This area included the Gibson Railroad Yards and the Hessville community. Residents of Hessville filed a remonstrance against Hammond's action in Circuit Court. In 1913 the court ruled in favor of Hammond but in the same decision forbade the actual annexation of Hessville for five years.
Ken |
12-03-2011
( Reply#: 7556 ) |
S C Jones |
Thanks Ken,
That shows there was a bone of contention from the very beginning; and may explain the almost ignoring, or at least the blunting of the significance of our fair community's having been in existence prior to Hammond.
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12-03-2011
( Reply#: 7557 ) |
BobK |
I believe I read that Hammond annexed Hessville to keep Gary from expanding that way.
Bob
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