Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #239
posted: Sept. 18, 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-ninth installment
fire hose tested
Broad Ripple, Ind
Feb. 2nd 1909
Board met in regular session
Members present as per roll call
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
Geo W. Sheets 2nd " "
B. F. Osborn 3rd " "
All members present.
The minutes of the previous meeting was read + approved as read
Bill were allowed as follows
T.F. Metsger 1 mo salary as marshall 30. 00/100
Manhattan Rubber Co as per bill rendered 180.00
Which was ordered paid after the hose was tested and found to be all OK
Art Probst for coal as per bill rendered 5.00
Henry Klusman for engineering work done 35.00
+ making final estimate on College Ave sidewalk
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Total $251.50
No further business appearing the board adjourned
Attest JO Brenneman
Town Clerk
Benj F Osborn President of Board
Broad Ripple
Feb. 13 1909
Board met in special session for the purpose of allowing bills for the work done in repairing fire wells. Roll called as follows
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
G W Sheets 2nd " "
B F. Osborn 3rd " "
Bills were allowed as follows
Henry + Frank Adkins (?) for Labor + Hauling done 7.90
Chris Guning (?) " " done 7.00
Geo Kirkpatrick " " " 3.00
Geo Dokes " " " 3.00
John Dokes " " " 4.20
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$25.10
B.F. Osborn for money furnished in paying men for Labor done in repairing fire wells
John Dokes 4.20 Geo Dokes 4.20 Geo Sheets 2.00 Geo Kirkpatrick 4.20
Total 14.60
No further business appearing Board adjourned
attest JO Brenneman
Town Clerk
Benj F Osborn President of Board
{next issue: Grading Broadway from 58th to 60th }
alan@broadripplegazette.com