History of the ATHS Guardhouse

ATHS Class of 1951 50th Reunion Project

39gate.jpg (103019 bytes)
^{Guardhouse in 1902
when still a U.S. Arsenal . . .}

^{Guardhouse in 1947. . .}

^{. . . and in June 2000}

^{History
of the ATHS Guardhouse}

There were two guardhouses built in 1872. One was built at the main entrance into the Arsenal grounds at Michigan Street. The other one was erected at the north side of the Arsenal grounds.

The Michigan Street Guardhouse served not only as a sentry post for the Arsenal, but its holding cells served as a jailhouse for soldiers who were derelict in their duties. It continued in this function until 1903, when the U.S. Army vacated the Arsenal and moved into the newly constructed Fort Benjamin Harrison northeast of Indianapolis in Lawrence Township.

In 1912 when Arsenal Technical High School had its beginning, the Michigan Street Guardhouse served as the school lunchroom, or "beanery" until that function moved into the basement of the Barracks.

Today the Michigan Street guardhouse serves as the school security office, a place where visitors must check in before they can proceed on to the campus. After all of those years the building still continues on in its original function as a guardhouse.

Advanced Architectural Concepts of Indianapolis was hired to evaluate the current condition of the Guardhouse in order to address interior and exterior restoration and maintenance needs, and to determine their probable costs. They were very thorough in their reporting. All work performed on the Guardhouse, because of its historical significance, needs to be respectful of its original design and appearance.

The total project cost is $154,000.

^{Tax
deductible checks payable to: Tech High School Alumni Association with a memo or comment
for: Guardhouse Restoration can be sent to:}

^{Kathleen
McAdams}
^{3803 Whippoorwill Lake South Drive}
^{Monrovia, IN 46157 - 9134}

^or

^{Dewey
Garrett}
^{107 Hurst Avenue}
^{Cloverdale, IN 46120 - 9114}

^{Realization of the
Guardhouse Restoration will make Tech’s entry into the new millennium very special
for everyone involved. Try to attend the Alumni Day 2001 celebration on 16 June.}

^{For more information on the project, please click
here}

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^{Guardhouse in 1959. .
.}

^{It has been there for us since 1872. Let us help preserve it for future
generations.}