Downtown in Gary in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Horace Mann
At first, Horace Mann consisted of two portable trailers near the street on the large property. The first class consisted of 45 students who had previously attended Jefferson School. Demand for the west side school was greater than initially thought, and in 1919 three more portable units were added behind the first two. A year later, William Wirt (then superintendent of the Gary schools) realized permanent structures would need to be built, and in 1921 construction on the present-day Horace Mann School would begin. By 1922, the east building had been constructed, and the west building followed two years later. On November 8, 1926, the cornerstone for the central building was placed.
The Horace Mann complex itself was constructed as an ensemble of three buildings in a classic Tudor style. The main building was larger than the other and boasted a grand red and brown brick entrance offset by white columns and pilasters.
The central building featured 48 classrooms as well as offices for principal, assistant principal, and their immediate staff. It also contained two libraries, an auditorium, a refectory, two gyms, and two swimming pools.
Constructed 1922
Architect William B. Ittner
Erected by Knight Foundation, Legacy Foundation, Decay Devils, Gary Indiana.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 41° 36.267′ N, 87° 20.165′ W. Marker is in Gary, Indiana, in Lake County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of East 4th Avenue (U.S. 12/20) and Broadway, on the right when traveling west on East 4th Avenue. The marker is in East Gateway Park mounted on the South Shore Line retaining wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Broadway, Gary IN 46402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ambassador Apartments (here, next to this marker); Jefferson Park Water Tower (here, next to this marker); Gary Public Library (a few steps from this marker); City Methodist Church (a few steps from this marker); Emerson (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Gary Land Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Gary’s First Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gary.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on April 20, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.