Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #234
posted: Jul. 03, 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-forth installment
replacement trustee elected
Broad Ripple, Ind
Aug, 10th 1908
Board met in special session as per roll call.
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
B.F. Osborn 3rd " "
There being a vacancy in the 2nd ward and on motion of BF Osborne Geo W. Sheets was placed in nomination to fill the unexpired term as Town Trustee in the 2nd ward + upon roll call upon the election resulted as follows
Millard Eaton 1st ward yes
B.F. Osborn 3rd " yes
Geo. W. Sheets being elected + sworn in to serve as Town Trustee in the 2nd ward.
On motion of B.F. Osborn that the side walk improvement bonds be issues on all lands and lots not paid for which was passed as per roll call
Millard Eaton 1st ward yes
Geo W. Sheets 2nd " yes
B.F. Osborn 3rd " yes
So ordered + the clerk was instructed to fill out the required bonds for the signatures of the Town Board
No further business board adjourned
JO Brenneman
"Town Clerk"
George Sheets President of Board Pro Tem
Broad Ripple Ind
Septr, 1st 1908
Board met in regular session Roll called as follows.
Millard Eaton 1st ward absent
Geo W. Sheets 2nd " Present
B.F. Osborn 3rd " "
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Bills were allowed as follows
The president being absent, Geo W Sheets was elected to act a president protem
JO Brenneman as for making (?) out land bonds + calculating int + putting same on bonds 8 00/100
T.F Metsger I mo salary as marshall 30.00
Geo W Sheets 1 day hauling fire engine to pump out wells 3.00
Frank Featherstone for hauling 2 loads of gravel 1.00
_____
Total 42.00
On motion of BF Osborn the Town Treasurer was instructed to pay int on note for fire engine amounting to 6.05 which was carried + so ordered.
A resolution to fix the tax levy for the Town of Broad Ripple for the year 1909 at 40c on the $100 taxable property was voted on as follows as per roll call
Millard Eaton 1st ward being absent
Geo W. Sheets 2nd " voted yes
B.F. Osborn 3rd " " "
+ it was so ordered + the Town Clerk was instructed
To notify the county auditor of the same
No further business before the board it adjourned
JO Brenneman
Town Clerk
MF Eaton President of Board
{next issue: Schad's Addition to be platted }
alan@broadripplegazette.com