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STAFF REPORT: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY SCHOOL Dr. Sushmita Hodges Research Historian May, 1992 What is now known as Riley High School was erected on Studebaker Park as the South East Junior High School in October, 1924. It was built to resolve the school congestion problem in South Bend and particularly to benefit the boys and girls residing on the south side.[1] The school building was built under the direction of ten members of the Rotary Club, who looked over the project from the design stage to the actual construction of the building. It was the close cooperation among these Rotarians that resulted in the construction of a fine, sturdy building such as the Riley High School. Although the construction of the new Southeast Junior High School was completed in October, 1924, it was not formally dedicated until March, 1925. The new structure was appropriately described as "an imposing edifice, commodious in its facilities, and a model in modern equipment." It was a significant addition to the schools in the city of South Bend. At the dedication ceremony Dr. E.C. Elliott, president of Purdue University, was the principal speaker. In his address, Dr. Elliott dedicated the new school to "the spirit of service to the thousands of children across the country seeking a quality education." He claimed that these children were the inspiration for seeking a highly evolved educational system, that would be housed within a fine structure such as the new Southeast school.[2] School Buildinq and Facilities The new school structure with its grounds cost the school corporation $600,000.00. The building was constructed three stories in height and was originally 358 feet in length by 150 feet in width. The long, spacious corridors through the center of the three floors were built of terrazzo flanked by yellow face brick wainscoting. In addition to the thirty-two regular classrooms, there were other rooms providing opportunities for other "modern" facilities, such as the auditorium, with a seating capacity of seven hundred and fifty. Also located on the first floor were the general offices, the varied industry shop, the girls' gymnasium locker and shower room. Attached to the auditorium was a balcony, a store room, large stage, two small dressing rooms, and a motion picture booth. The gymnasium balcony had a seating capacity of three hundred.[3] 1