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Chapter Twelve
B R H S joins city
** information not in booklet
Ripple advanced from a "Little Red Brick Schoolhouse" in the 1880's to one of the best-equipped schools in the state in 1914. Then in 1923, Ripple joined Arsenal Technical, Emmerich Manual, and Shortridge as an Indianapolis public high school. Until 1926 the Ripple building not only housed the high school but also the grade school. In 1929, School No. 80 was built at the corner of 62nd Street and Guilford. Between 1902 and 1907, three principals headed the combined grade and high school. These men were Arthur Jackson, Paul Coughlin, and Sam Plaskett. In 1904, eight students graduated in what, at that time, was considered a large class. In 1907, Horace W. Marshall became principal. During his term as principal, he and Albert Newby, the township trustee, were able to get a new building erected in 1914 At the time of its dedication, the new building was one of the best-equipped in the state. The gymnasium and auditorium were of the newest design. Following modern theater trends, the auditorium was constructed with a sloping floor, a balcony, and theater-type seats, having a capacity of 150 persons. Rollo Wiggins replaced Marshall as principal that year. With the outbreak of World War I, many high school boys went into the armed services. In June 1918, Wiggins himself went into the services and was succeeded by 0. H. Blossom as principal, who in turn was succeeded by J. W. Gillespie in 1920. Gillespie was principal until 1923 when Ripple became an Indianapolis public high school. Broad Ripple became the fourth Indianapolis public high school as a result of the annexation of Broad Ripple Village to Indianapolis in the fall of 1923. At this time, Karl Von Ammerman was transferred to Broad Ripple from Manual High School to assume the duties of principal. In 1928, an addition was made to the high school with the purchase of the cottage owned by Ham and Sadie Thompson. The cottage was first used for regular classrooms for English, math, and history. The cottage was then furnished for use by the Home Economics Department. The adjoining land was utilized as an athletic field. During the early 1900's, Broad Ripple began to develop an athletic program. Football started at Ripple in 1903 when a group of boys decided to get together and form a team. The first basketball team, coached by Ross Smith, was formed in 1909 and was the first organized school squad in Marion County. The first baseball team was also formed around this time. During the winter of 1912, the basketball games were played in the Broad Ripple skating rink because there was as yet no gymnasium. The low rafters of the rink served as obstacles, handicapping opposing teams. In the same year, Broad Ripple won the Marion County Basketball Tournament.
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