Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #237
posted: Aug. 14, 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-seventh installment
Repairs to fire station and town hall
Broad Ripple, Ind
Dec. 1st 1908
Board met in regular session
Roll called as follows
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
Geo W. Sheets 2nd " "
Benj. F. Osborn 3rd " "
All members present.
Minutes of previous meeting were read + approved.
Bills were allowed as follows
M.F. Eaton for building flue + paying half for sewer $7.75
T.F. Metsker one mo salary as marshall + 30.00
For nails + th___ for town hall .35
Total $30.35
Mel Kail for carpenter work done in Town Hall 2.40
Broad Ripple Lumber Co for lumber furnished as per bill used }
In street repairing. Cement for same + } 40.33
Frank E. Watts 6 mo salary as treasurer 10.00
JO Brenneman 6 " " " clerk 10.00
M.F. Eaton 6 " " " trustee of 1st ward 10.00
Geo W. Sheets salary as trustee to Dec 31st 1908 2nd " 6.65
Benj F Osborn 6 mo salary as trustee of 3rd " 10.00
Jos. H. Ferguson 6 " " " fire chief 12.50
----------
Grand total $139.98
On motion of Geo W Sheets + carried that the engine room be ceiled + that Mel Kail be employed to do the work, which was so ordered. The Town Treasurer was instructed to insure the Town Hall + contents. Mr Holliday who represented the Peoples Heat and Light Co was present in the interest of lighting the town with electric lights
No further business appearing the board adjourned
Attest JO Brenneman
MF Eaton President of board town clerk
Your chance to decode the handwriting from 1908! I can't figure out the underlined portion above, between nails and town hall. If you can, email us at
contest@broadripplegazette.com.
{next issue: Town Board reorganized }
alan@broadripplegazette.com