Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue
History & Genealogy

Culver, Marshall, Indiana

Culver School History 1950 - 1999

In 1952 the old high school of 1906 which had been used as the elementary from about 1921 was razed except for the basement area - the so called "tunnel" so many of us remember. Ground was broken for a new grade school building on the area just north of the high school.

January 2 – The contract for the construction of the new elementary school building here has been awarded to the Russell L. Easterday Construction Company.
January 9 – Construction work on new grade school building started this week by Russell L. Easterday has made necessary emergency traffic regulations along School Street….
November 12 – Grade teachers, pupils took up new residence in the completed wing of the new building Friday…
November 19 – The new school building open house attracted about 1,000 visitors…

It was dedicated on Tuesday Evening, November 17, 1953

Therefore when we build let us think we build forever. Let it not be for present delight…not for present use alone. Let it be such a work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time will come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands touched them or that men will say as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, "See! This our fathers did for us."

- John Ruskin, Copy of the dedication booklet for the new elementary building.

1957 - September 10 – New School cafeteria, completely equipped, starts serving hot lunches.

1959 – State School Reorganization Law enacted. This forced smaller schools to consolidate - forming the school systems of today.

Culver Union Twp. School has for many years been under the age-old Twp. trustee system with the top professional administrator a County Superintendent of schools. Culver's situation was some what unique in that it was a consolidation of a town and twp. under the auspices of the elected twp. trustee. As is recorded in school history, the legislature in 1959 passed the Indiana School Reorganization Act in 1959 which invited many small schools to incorporate as larger schools. This was to be directed by a county committee for reorganization. The people in and around Culver wanted as early as 1961 to consolidate Aubbeenaubee Twp., North Bend Twp. and Union Twp. under the Indiana acts of 1947. Such a plan was presented to the state committee for reorganization and was promptly refused. The county committee presented the "Marston Plan" consolidation of Argos, Aubbeenaubee Twp. and Culver-Union. The people in a public vote showed their contempt for the plan by voting it down to the tune of approximately 85%. The action was so strong that in a public meeting the leaders of the three communities who had presented the original plan under the 1947 law decided that it might be worth while to approach the State committee once again. These community leaders selected five men to appear before Dr. Kohlmeyer and plead the Culver Case. These were:

Ralph Osborn Jr.		Frank McLane
Kenneth Olin		George Stevens
	Kenneth Cole

The committee of five returned home after a pleasant but non-committed interview with Dr. Kohlmeyer. The Culver patrons were very pleasantly surprised when notified by the State committee that consolidation of Aubbeenaubee, North Bend and Culver was legal and would be effective as of December 27, 1962. This gave Culver quite a variety of administrative heads during one school year. This appeared in the 1962 "Tomahawk".

In the School year of 1962-3 North Bend Twp. Students that years came to Culver for the first time. Aubbee Students remained at Leiters Ford in their school building.

1962-63 -

Superintendent:	Frank McLane
Principal:	Culver High School: Kenneth Cole Culver Elementary: Shelton Kaiser Aubbee; Kenneth R. Olin
Trustees:	Eugene Benedict Glen Overmyer
Board Member:	Eugene Benedict, Union Twp. [8-61/10-63] Judd Stinchcomb, Culver Cedric White, North Bend Twp. Vernie Bowen Aubbee Twp. [8-61/9-63] Donald Taylor, North Bend Twp.

In 1963 Aubbeenaubbee (Fulton County), North Bend Township (Starke County), and Union Township (Marshall county) were corporately joined into a reorganized school district - Culver Community Schools. Frank Mc Lane became the first superintendent of the corporation.

1963- January 23 – Culver Community School Unit will have office at 110 South Main St. in Culver…

1963 - March 13 – The Board of School Trustees of Culver Community Schools, in a meeting on March 12, approved by majority vote to unite the high schools of the school corporation at the beginning of the 1964-65 school term…
1963-4

Superintendent:	Frank McLane
Principal:	Culver High School: Kenneth Cole Culver Elementary: Shelton Kaiser Aubbee; Kenneth R. Olin
Board Members:	Glen Overmyer, Union Twp. [10-63/6-65] Eldon Davis, Aubbee Twp. [No dates listed] Cedric White, North Bend Twp. Judd Stinchcomb, Culver [8-61/4-64] Donald Taylor, North Bend Twp. 8-61/7-6_]

1964-5

Superintendent:	Frank McLane
Principal:	Culver High School: Kenneth Cole Culver Elementary: Shelton Kaiser Aubbee; Kenneth R. Olin
Board Members:	Cedric White, North Bend Twp. [8-61/6-65] Walter Johnson, Culver Woodie McGlothin, Aubbee Twp. Everett Dowd, North Bend Twp. Oscar Wesson, Union Twp. [7-64/6-68]

Some time in the 1965-6 school term plans were being formulated for a new high school building. As the Culver Citizen issue of June 6, 1966 proclaims: "School Board Reviews Final Building plans" July 21, 1966 proclaims: "Ralph Osborn to head School building corporation" The members of this corporation were as follows:

Ralph A. Osborn		Eldon P. Davis
Wayne E. Roe		Donald L. Taylor
W. Wayne Kline		Cecil L. Lucas
	Glenn L. Overmyer

1965-6 -

Superintendent:	Frank McLane [2-63/6-66]
Principal:	Culver Elementary: Kenneth Cole Culver High School: Shelton Kaiser Aubbee: J. Arthur Howard
Board Members:	Woodie McGlothin, Aubbee Twp. Tom Russell, Aubbee Twp. Walter Johnson, Culver Oscar Wesson, Union Twp. Everett Dowd, North Bend Twp.

The December 22, 1966 issue proclaims: "School board receives Bids for New Building".

1966-7

Superintendent:	Robert Rust
Principal:	Culver High School: Charles W. Bernhardt Culver Elementary: Shelton Kaiser Aubbee: J. Arthur Howard
Board Members:	Walter Johnson, Culver Tom Russell, Aubbee Twp. [7-65/10-67] Everett Dowd, North Bend Twp. Oscar Wesson, Union Twp. Woodie McGlothin, Aubbee twp.

In 1967 under the guidence of Robert Rust a building program was undertaken to replace all the high schools in the school district with a new building located at the north edge of Culver on School Street. This was the year that final plans were being set in motion for a new High School Building as the April 20, 1967 issue of the Culver Citizen proclaims " New Culver Community High School Building" under it is the architect's rendering of the how the building will look and information on the architects and their firm, construction company, school board, and holding company.

Ground was broken at the corner of School St. and St. Rd. 10 for the new building around June 15, 1967 as that issue of the Culver Citizen proclaims " New Culver High School Building Now in Progress".

Also the headline proclaiming: "Tippecanoe Twp. to be annexed into Culver Schools" appeared in the June 22, 1967 issue. With this Culver School Corporation became the most unique school system in the state of Indiana for it now spans four counties: Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski and Starke.

Cary Cummins was head building supervisor for the building and never lived to see it completed, he died Oct. 1968 of cancer; his tombstone is made out of the bricks of the new High school as a final tribute to him.

1967-8 -

Superintendent:	Robert Rust
Administration Assistant:	Charles Downing
Principal:	Culver High School: John R. Hayes Culver Elementary School: Shelton Kaiser Aubbee: J. Arthur Howard Monterey: [-?-]
Board Members:	Ray Winters, Monterey Everett Dowd, North Bend Twp. Woodie McGlothin, Aubbee Twp. [7-64/6-68] Walter Johnson, Culver Oscar Wesson, Union Twp. [7-64/6-68]

Sometime during this time period the school corporation purchsed the administration building on 222 N.Ohio Street.

1968 - March 7 – “Culver Community High School” is adopted as the official name of the new high school…

This building was occupied in the fall of 1968 with officals 1968-9 :
Superintendent:

Superintendent:	Robert Rust
Principal:	John R. Hayes
Board Members:	Ray Winters, Tippecanoe Twp. Robert K. Berger, Union Twp. Jack P. Croy, Aubbee Twp. Walter Johnson, Culver [4-64/6-6_] Everett Dowd, North Bend Twp.

The new highschool building sits on a thirty-three acre campus.

1968 - November 14 – Culver Community High School will be known in athletics as the Cavaliers…

1968 - November 28 – Wrestling is introduced as new varsity sport at CCHS.

The school colors of black, white, and burnt orange were adopted. The school song was new:

We are proud to be the Cavaliers from Culver High
Our Hearts will always fill with pride,
Hearts will thrill at the sound of the name,
We'll forever add to our fame.
Hail to Our Cavaliers, Ever loyal and true we'll be.

Go you Cavaliers! Fight with all your might!
Go you Cavaliers! Win this game tonight!

We are proud to be the Cavaliers from Culver High
Our Hearts will always fill with pride,
Hearts will thrill at the sound of the name,
We'll forever add to our fame.
Hail to our Cavaliers, Ever loyal and true we'll be.

C C CUL, V V VER, CULVER, Go, CULVER!!!

and also a schhol seal was choosen :

The school seal carries particular significance for those who study its unique design. A cavaliers shield, circumscribed by two concentric circles between which is clearly printed CULVER COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, attracts one's attention quickly.

Immediately above the shield and inside both concentric circles one notices FIVE INTERLOCKED CIRCLES which symbolize the Olympic Games. The interlocked circles have special meaning for CCHS. BY THEM WE ARE REMINDED THAT CLASSES FIRST MET IN CCHS IN 1968, AN OLYMPIC YEAR. Also the Olympic rings remind us that excellent physical fitness for all students and an opportunity to compete in sports are valid objectives in a complete high school curriculum.

On the upper let quadrant in the shield in an OUTLINE MAP OF INDIANA. THE LOCATION OF CCHS IS CLEARLY MARKED IN THE NORTHWEST QUARTER IF THE STATE. The map of Indiana reminds us that the function of education is a state function and that among high schools in Indiana CCHS carries a First Class commission. THE CANOE REMINDS US THAT ON LAKE MAXINKUCKEE AND THE TIPPECANOE RIVER THIS MODE OF TRANSPORTATION WAS FREELY USED.

IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND QUADRANT THE THESPIAN MASK AND LAMP, SYMBOLS OF ENLIGHTENMENT, BOLDLY DIRECT OUR EFFORTS. The mask would have us learn from the drama of human life the important truths on which to build a successful life. The lamp of learning teaches us that we can illuminate our lives and break the shackles of ignorance through education. Future social and scientific advancement for all mankind rests solely on continued universal education.

ON THE LOWER LEFT QUADRANT IS INSCRIBED THE SWORD AND THE FLUER DE LIS. The sword was the hand weapon for the "Cavaliers" throughout their flamboyant history. The FLUER de Lis has been incorporated in the Cavalier Coat of Arms at least since the time of the Crusades. TOGETHER THEY SYMBOLIZE ONE'S DETERMINATION TO PERSEVERE IN THE PURSUIT OF WORTHWHILE GOALS AND TO APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.

ON THE LOWER RIGHT QUADRANT OF THE SHIELD IS A SPECIAL DESIGN WHICH SYMBOLIZES A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF OUR HERITAGE. THE INDIAN DEATH MASK REMINDS US OF A HARSH CHAPTER IN OUR LOCAL HERITAGE, THE TRAIL OF DEATH. Scarcely fifty years after our forefathers fought a revolution to establish a government protecting the rights of the governed, a younger generation implemented the now infamous Indiana Death March known as the Trail of Death to remove the Pottawatomies from the Culver Area.

FINALLY THE TOTAL SEAL EXHORTS US TO REFLECT THOUGHTFULLY OUR HERITAGE, TO PURSUE DILIGENTLY OUR PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TO DEVELOP HUMAN WISDOM THROUGH THE ATTAINMENT OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

This was the beginning of a new era for the School Corporation. The New High School opened its doors for the first time in August 1968 to Students. Dedication of the building tool place on 27 April 1969. Speaker was Phil Eskew, Commissioner of ISHA and Linda Sherill, President of the Student Council. Honorable guests were: Dr. Otis Bowen, State Legislature and Speaker of State Senate; Kenneth Cole, former principal; and John Branamas, Senator from Indiana who was unable to attend. The day was dedicated to Cary Cummins.

1969-70 -

Superintendent:	Robert Rust [7-66/9-71]
Principal:	John R. Hayes
Board Members:	Ray Winter, Tippecanoe Twp. [11-67/6-77] Everett Dowd, North Bend Twp. [7-64/7-73] Jack P. Croy, Aubbe Twp. [7-68/1-71] Paul Snyder Jr., Union Twp. [12-69/8-81] ?Robert K. Berger 7-68/12-__] ?

1970 - ...Culver Community Schools (includes Aubbeenaubbee township plus three others) -- Enrollment of 1.456 at one high school and six other buildings, with 23 buses transporting 1,250 students daily. Value of land and buildings -- $5,250,000. ...- William Freyberg, Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 30, 1970

The Old high school, now the Junior High and the grade school in 1976:

Some time during the period A. Judson Dillon pricipal of Culver til his death in June 1980.

The summer of 1984/1986 was the old high school of 1920torn down. The construction of a building to house a new dining area and media center (library) was began soon after or in October. Many dubbed it the "Silo" is is a large cafetteria multipurpose room connecting the 1952 elemenatary building and the 1929 community building or "gym".

It did not surrender easliy under the wrecking ball with its doule bricked walls. There were many residents young and old that gathered to see the begining of the demolition.

It was replaces by a couple of classrooms and new cafeteria/recreational room. There were some that dubbed the new addition 'the silo'. Also at this time a multimedia area was added to the elementary building also, to the west side of the building.

In 1986 William F. Mills was superintendant of the Culver Community schools.

A historical accounting of the school is given by Minnie (Schilling) Osborn:

AN EARLY HISTORY OF CULVER HIGH SCHOOL
Mrs. W. O. Osborn
The Construction of the School
Your present school was built in stages. The parts that remain were built in 1929, 1952, 1986 and 1990. The gym was built in 1929 and is now 65 years old. Part of the classrooms were built in 1952, so that part of your school is 42 years old. The south end where the cafeteria-multi-purpose room is was built in 1986. This area used to be for the high school until it moved to its present home next to state road 10. So the south end of your present building is 8 years old. The north end of your elementary building had two classrooms added in 1990.

Which makes that end of your school only 4 years old. If we include the basement which belonged to the first elementary school that was here in 1906, part of your school would be 88 years old. The metal building that sits by your playground has been here since World War II, so the age of it is not known. It has served as a storage area, the shop for the high school students, and the band room for the high school and grade school students. It belonged to the Army before we received it, so it's age is questionable. We received the building around 1946.

Since the buildings were built at different times, different construction companys worked on your elementary building. The gym was built by Russel L. Easterday Construction Co. They also built the part that was built in 1952. The Cafeteria-muti-purpose area was built by H. G. Christman Construction Co. and the two new classrooms built in 1990 were built by Easterday Construction Co.

When the elementary was built in 1952, the principal was Shelton Kaiser. I have a picture of him and the first group of teachers who taught in your elementary.I also put a picture of the Superintendent of Schools on that page because in 1952 the Superintendent was for the whole county. Now our Superintendent, Mr Mills is just in charge of our schools, not the whole county. He still has a very big job.

The school is 42 years old. The south end where the cafeteria-multi-purpose room is was built in 1986. This area used to be for the high school until it moved to its present home next to state road 10. So the south end of your present building is 8 years old. The north end of your elementary building had two classrooms added in 1990. Which makes that end of your school only 4 years old. If we include the basement which belonged to the first elementary school that was here in 1906, part of your school would be 88 years old. The metal building that sits by your playground has been here since World War II, so the age of it is not known.

It has served as a storage area, the shop for the high school students, and the band room for the high school and grade school students. It belonged to the Army before we received it, so it's age is questionable. We received the building around 1946.

Since the buildings were built at different times, different construction companys worked on your elementary building. The gym was built by Russel L. Easterday Construction Co. They also built the part that was built in 1952. The Cafeteria-muti-purpose area was built by H. G. Christman Construction Co. and the two new classrooms built in 1990 were built by Easterday Construction Co.

The First Principal
When the elementary was built in 1952, the principal was Shelton Kaiser. I have a picture of him and the first group of teachers who taught in your elementary. I also put a picture of the Superintendent of Schools on that page because in 1952 the Superintendent was for the whole county. Now our Superintendent, Mr Mills is just in charge of our schools, not the whole county. He still has a very big job.

Teachers
I decided to choose the teacher who has taught the longest in your school and is still teaching. In years past many teachers taught 40 to 50 years, but it would be difficult to find who has really taught the longest. Mary E. Weirick started teaching in 1960 which was 34 years ago. Her picture is in your book.

I will let your teacher explain how she goes about getting her supplies for the classroom. As a school board member we pay the bills and set budgets, but the day to day workings of the school is left to the principals, teachers. and Mr. Mills.

The school board has many duties and it would be a long list. Our main job is to make sure all of our students get a good education and have a good environment to work and learn in. We try to listen to all the people in our community to make our school the very best place it can be.

Brad Schuldt became principal of Culver and then Supintendent upon the retirement of William Mills.

1996 - April 3 – Culver Community Schools Supt. Brad Schuldt was authorized to enter into a contract to provide internet service to the two school buildings in Culver…

The mid 1990's saw a major remodeling project for the Monterey Elementary

and the old Culver Elementary building was renovated also adding a new entrance to it, two classrooms to the north and a unique design to replace the windows. Also an off road pick-up area for the children.

Last updated 22.11.2009

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