Old Town of Broad Ripple Meeting Minutes #240
posted: Oct. 02, 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-fortieth installment
Grading Broadway from 58th to 60th
Broad Ripple
March 2nd 1908 [should be 1909]
Board met in regular session
Members present as per roll call
Millard Eaton 1st ward Absent
Geo W. Sheets 2nd " Present
B. F. Osborn 3rd " Present
The minutes of the previous meeting was read and approved. Bills were allowed as follows
Ferguson Bros coal for Town Hall _____ "as per bill" 9.10
Knight and Jillson recovery well points "as per bill" 13.50
T.F. Metsger 1 mo. Salary as Marshall 30.00
1 well point 1.20
Roy Cales 3 hours work at fire 60
Raymond Wildride 3 " " " " 60
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Amt. of Metsgers voucher total $32.40
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$55.00
TF Metsger to pay for point + 6 hours work @ 20c per house
No further business Board adjourned
JO Brenneman
Benj F Osborn Pres. Town Clerk
Broad Ripple Ind
April 6th 1909
Board met in regular session. Roll called as follows
Millard Eaton 1st ward Present
George Sheets 2nd " "
B. F. Osborn 3rd " "
All members Present: the minutes of the previous meeting was read and approved. Bills were allowed as follows
Central Trust Co Int on note 33.00
T.F. Metsger 1 mo. Salary as Marshall 30.00
Oscar Barthel Labor + Material furnished as per bill 10.85
_______
Total = $73.85
On motion of GW Sheets to Grade Broadway from 58th to 60th which was passed and the Town Marshall was instructed to notify all property owners alone the line of Broadway St from 58th to 60th to remove any + all obstructions out of the way without delay.
No further business appearing Board adjourned
JO Brenneman
Benj F Osborn President of Board "Clerk"
{next issue: readjustment of the Plat of Shads addition}
alan@broadripplegazette.com