Gary in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gary Roosevelt High School
Photographed By Lou Donkle, June 19, 2022
1. Gary Roosevelt High School Marker
Front Side
As Gary grew in the early 1900s, African American students were segregated within white schools or overcrowded into small, separate schools. To compensate, officials transferred some Black students to Emerson High School in 1927. After over 600 white students walked out in protest, the school board reinforced segregation by building a new school for the Black community.
Back Side
Theodore Roosevelt High School was dedicated in 1931 as an all-Black K-12 school. While many community members opposed segregation, they took pride in Roosevelt, and strove to make it equal to Gary's white schools. It employed highly educated Black teachers, pushed students to excel in academics and sports despite discrimination, and produced many distinguished alumni.
Erected 2020 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Lady Panthers & Supporters '63, Roosevelt Adult Booster Club, National Gary Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Assoc., Inc. and Indiana Landmarks. Marker number source: https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/. (Marker Number 45.2020.1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 41° 34.405′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. In Memory Of All American Veterans (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Michael Jackson Place of Birth (approx. ¼ mile away); Michael Jackson (approx. ¼ mile away); Rep. Katie Hall (1938-2012) / Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law (approx. 0.7 miles away); Atty. Hall's Historic Patriotic Peace Flower and Rose Gardens and Mini-Forest Preserve (approx. 0.7 miles away); Froebel School (approx. one mile away); Stewart Settlement House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Indiana University Northwest (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gary.
Also see . . .
1. Gary Roosevelt High School History. This website is published by Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana as part of their digital civil rights museum titled Indiana Crossroads: Hoosier Civil Rights.
Theodore Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, also known as Gary Roosevelt, can trace its origins to 1908 when the Gary school board issued the segregation of all(Submitted on June 27, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)public schools. The first school for African American children in Gary was built that same year. As the population grew, African American students were also educated in other segregated schools and in portable classrooms, and by 1921, those portable classrooms were located at the present location of Gary Roosevelt.Photographed By Lou Donkle, June 19, 20222. Gary Roosevelt High School Marker
2. Gary Roosevelt High School - Indiana Historical Marker. A website of the Indiana Government documenting the approval and installation of this historical marker.
Installed 2020 Indiana Historical Bureau, Lady Panthers & Supporters '63, Roosevelt Adult Booster Club, National Gary Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Assoc., Inc., and Indiana Landmarks(Submitted on June 27, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)
Photographed By Lou Donkle, April 23, 2022
3. Gary Roosevelt High School
Photographed By Lou Donkle, June 19, 2022
4. Marker Location in Front of School
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,075 times since then and 249 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 20, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
