Document 12801 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

newspapers came and went during the following decades , and des- pite the increased circulation of Chicago , South Bend and La Porte papers , the town continues to publish a weekly newspaper called the New Prairie Town Crier. 15 Permanent educational facilities were provided by 1861 , when , under the direction of Reverend John Leach , The Methodist 16 Collegiate Institute was constructed . Situated on a two acre parcel of land donated by Joseph Ivans , the three story brick build- ing stood at 300 Michigan St. 17 The town of New Carlisle even- tually bought the building from the church and in 1903 , the school property was deeded to Olive Township . Six years later , an additional school building consisting of an auditorium and class rooms for the high school , was built east of the Collegiate building . 18 By 1922 , the heavy cast iron bell in the attic of the older structure had weakened the walls , and it was torn down . The Collegiate Institute was replaced with a new , ten classroom faci 1 i ty and gymnasi um. The only vestige of i:4vat--e4i44--ce is a u 19 plaque marking �-s site which has been preserved as a park . The founding of the Collegiate Institute was in response to the growing population of the town , however, formal education in New Carlisle had already been established. Two lots west of the Institute site stands a small cottage that once housed the first school in the town . Built in -952 , the school also was used as a church , a Sunday School , and ,, for political meetings . 20 It was originally located on the southwest corner of Cherry and Front Streets , but was later moved to its pres;,nt site , 406 W . Michigan St . , and converted into a residence . This house is one of several historically and/ or architecturally significant buildings 4