Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #233
posted: Jun. 12, 2025
This historic serial has run on and off in the last 21 years of the Broad Ripple Gazette. The intention is to share the history of Broad Ripple, help people find their ancestors in the text, and to complete the transcriptions of these important early documents.
The Town of Broad Ripple was incorporated in 1894, and started holding regular meetings at that time. In each issue, I will print my transcription of the old Town of Broad Ripple meeting minutes. These are taken from the original, hand-written minutes that contain many spelling errors. I have transcribed all the records as they were entered, including errors. I will make some corrections to the text in brackets [ ]. I will try to include street name changes, such as: Shelby Street became 63rd, then Broad Ripple Avenue, Morgan Street is now Guilford, North is now 64th, Hancock is now Westfield, Light Ave is College. See more of our street name research at
BroadRippleHistory.org - Alan
The original minutes books are at the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St.
Here is the two-hundred-thirtieth-third installment
paying for new fire engine
Broad Ripple, Ind
July 7th 1908
Board met in regular session. Roll called as follows
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
J.D. Sullivan 2nd " "
B.F. Osborn 3rd " "
All members present. Minutes of the previous meeting was read and approved.
Bills were allowed as follows
J.K. Smith taking fire engine to city + back hauling gravel + 7.95
T.F. Metsger 1 mo salary as marshall + meals for prisoner 1.00 total $31.00
Henry Adkins $1.00 for hauling pipe + returned to K. Jalata [?] total = $38.95
1.00
Total $39.95
The town treasurer was instructed to pay note given to Horoe Engine Co for fire engine. Town board allowed B.F. Osborn the privilege of removing dirt on 60th St he to have the dirt for removing[?] the lawn. No further business appearing the board adjourned
Attest JO Brenneman
"Town Clerk"
M.F. Eaton President of Board
Broad Ripple Ind
Aug, 4th 1908
Board met in regular session members present as per roll call.
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
J.D. Sullivan 2nd " absent
B.F. Osborn 3rd " Present
Bills were allowed as follows
T.F. Metsger $30. For 1 mo salary
JO Brenneman $5.00/100 for making road tax book total $35.00/100
The resignation of J.D. Sullivan was read and accepted and a special meeting was called to meet on Aug 10 1908 for the election of a successor to fill the unexpired term of JD Sullivan and also to pass upon the issuance of improvement bonds on all lots, land not paid on or before Aug 10 1908, the same being for side walk Improvement on College or Light Aresy [?] in Town of Broad Ripple Ind
No further business board adjourned
JO Brenneman
George Sheets President of Board pro tem "Town Clerk"
{next issue: replacement trustee elected }
alan@broadripplegazette.com