Garfield High School Cornerstone
From the Terre Haute Tribune-Star, March 11, 2006
Historical Treasure: Garfield High artifact serves as often unnoticed treasure
Almost 60 years after the laying of the cornerstone of Garfield High School, the time came when a decision was made to close the school in order to build a new, larger secondary school in the
north part of Terre Haute. On May 25, 1971, students, faculty, school administrators, Dorothy Clark of the Vigo County Historical Society and friends of the school gathered for the removal of the
cornerstone and copper box which contained interesting and valuable records from 1911 when the cornerstone was laid by builders, P.C. Kintz and Sons.
Inside the tightly sealed box in the cornerstone were issues of the Terre Haute newspapers for Sept. 7, 1911, all carrying front page stories of the event. Among other items on the list (which is on
file at the Vigo County Historical Museum) are the names of members of the school board, names of all Terre Haute public school teachers, a course of studies for the public schools, a petition for a
high school north of Wabash Avenue, a list of members of the North End High School Committee, and a program from the ceremony.
After being displayed at a Garfield open house, the cornerstone was presented to the Vigo County Historical Society. At first, the large stone was placed inside the Museum in a bay window facing
Sixth Street. On it, stood the statue of Mercury, which formerly rested atop the McKeen Bank Building at Sixth Street and Wabash Avenue.
After a number of years, it was feared that the weight of the cornerstone and the statue of Mercury would cause the floor under them to weaken. Then executive director, David Buchanan, decided to
move the Garfield cornerstone outdoors. It was placed, and still stands, on the grounds, north and near the side porch of the Museum building. The cornerstone measures 20 inches high, 25 inches wide
and 18 inches deep. On the front are carved the names of those members of the school board who were in office in 1911. They are William H. Wiley, A.S. Hathaway, Thomas M. Kehoe, George O. Dix, and
Andrew O’Mara. The year, 1911 is cut into the side.
Thinking the cornerstone looked somewhat strange standing alone in the Museum’s yard, director Buchanan took advantage of an opportunity to obtain an unclaimed, turn of the century, 47 inch, concrete
statue of a young woman which had been put in the basement of City Hall. The graceful figure is wearing a flowing gown and holding a bouquet of flowers. Rumor was that it was found in an abandoned
home. At any rate, city officials were anxious to find a home for it. The statue was moved to the Historical Museum grounds and placed atop the Garfield High School cornerstone, making a balanced
arrangement. Tulips bloom around it in the spring and hostas in the fall. It is an often unnoticed artifact, but an integral part of our city’s history which has found a permanent home.
Garfield High School Cornerstone
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