Ben Davis Grads 1898-1938

Graduates of Ben Davis High School,
Wayne Township, 1898-1938
Extracted by Ron Darrah
When I visited Ben Davis High School to inquire about student records
for genealogy use, Ms. Summer Schaekel in the Student Records Office, Room
R103, showed me what records the school had available:
1. A ledger book, titled “Alumni Minutes, 1908-1960,” that contained the
names of the 1,264 graduates that were transcribed for this database.
Some of the girls’ names had what were evidently their later married
names also listed. These are indicated in brackets. [ ]
2. An envelope containing various lists and clippings of the 1920’s to
the 1940’s.
3. A second ledger book, titled “High School Register, 1926-1941,” that
lists all students of Ben Davis during that period, with graduates
marked with stamped notations. These lists contain various types of
student information.
4. The newer student information, post 1941, is contained in 40+ file
cabinets of student permanent register cards. Most of these will be
restricted because of privacy laws.
5. The Media Center has a clipping folder and a school yearbook
collection, 1934-present.
For further information on the Metropolitan School District of Wayne
Township, write to the Education Center, 1220 S. High School Road,
Indianapolis, IN 46241.
The District is on the Internet at www.wayne.k12.in.us.
Brief History of Ben Davis High School
In the early 1890’s, residents of the town of Ben Davis in southern
Wayne Township asked township trustee John McCLELLAND to build them a
school. McClelland replied that he would do so if funds were supplied to
buy the land.
Evidently, the town came up with the money, because the first high
school [Building One] was built for $2,500 on the corner of Emma Hanch and
Forsha Free Gravel Road (now High School Road) on land deeded to the school
by Patrick and Martha Sweeny.
Housing the grade school on the first floor and the high school on the
second, the school opened in 1892 with 64 students and two teachers,
Professors J. D. NYSEWANDER and a Mr. LUCE.
Reports of the first graduating class vary. One version says, “Twelve
students were graduated in 1896 in the first commencement at Scudder’s
Grove.” Another report says …”the first graduating class of 1896 consisted
of nine students.” The alumni association list, from which this publication
is taken, contains only seven names. Perhaps someone will someday resolve
this question.
By 1914 the original building was becoming overcrowded, so it was
razed and a new building was erected on the same site, otherwise the land
would revert back to the Sweeny’s. The 1914 graduating class was sent to
Plainfield in Hendricks County while the building was being built.
This building was known as “Wayne Township High School”, presumably
as it now contained students from the wider Wayne Township areas. This
building [Building Two] continued in service until 1937, when a new
building was built on the northeast corner of Morris Street and High School
Road.
Building Two became a junior high school when Building Three opened,
also as “Wayne Township High School”.
In 1962, again because of overcrowding, another building was begun
just north of West 10th Street on Girls School Road, the present site of
Ben Davis High School. When this Building Four was opened in 1965, Building
Three became Ben Davis Junior High and Building Two became the school
district administrative offices.
Building Two has since been razed and a new Administration Building
was built on the same site, which has been in the district’s possession
since 1892.