Month: November 2019

Annual Meeting and Presentation, Tuesday, November 12th at 6:00 PM at USI’s Kleymeyer Hall in the Liberal Arts Building

Terry Hughes

Stonewall and Its Connection to

Evansville’s Queer Past

Dr. Stella Ress
Dr. Stella Ress

In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police officers raided The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village. Officially, NYPD was there because Stonewall Inn was serving liquor without a license. Unofficially, it was part of their usual practice of squeezing gay bars. Usually, patrons dispersed quietly, even those who were arrested. On this day, however, the diverse group of white, black, and brown drag queens, young gay men and lesbians, energetic “street kids” and others from various vulnerable populations did not go quietly. Instead, they stood their ground and fought back. Their courage ignited a movement against all the discrimination, violence, threat of violence, and fear they combatted every day of their lives (protest), as well as a celebration of their enduring community and its triumphs (pride). Though Stonewall happened in New York, its impact has reverberated in Evansville and around the world.
This presentation will briefly discuss Stonewall (as we just commemorated its 50 Anniversary this year), but will zero in on its impact in Evansville—in particular the way Evansville’s queer community has embodied the themes of protest and pride both in the years leading up to Stonewall, and in its aftermath.

Dr. Stella Ress is a current board of the Vanderburgh County Historical Society and is an assistant professor in the department of history at the University of Southern Indiana where she teaches courses on US and Public History. She has published in the areas of Public History, Cultural History, the History of Girls, and Urban History. She is also actively involved in researching, preserving, and promoting local history. Her latest local history project, the exhibit, “Stonewall and its Connection to Evansville’s Queer Past” is currently on display in the windows of Evansville’s Alhambra Theater. Her presentation is derived from the research she did for that project.

 

November 12, 2019
Liberal Arts Building
Kleymeyer Hall
USI Campus
6:00 VCHS Annual Meeting
6:15 PM for hors d’oeuvres
6:30 PM for presentation
Free and Open to the Public
Link to Campus Map
West Side off Bent Twig Lane

Co-sponsored by the Vanderburgh County Historical Society, the USI Department of History, and the USI Gender Studies Program

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Old Central Gym – What’s Next

Joe Engler

The Old Central High School had a gym in the older building, but the growing school needed more. With Reitz and Bosse having newer gymnasiums, Central wanted something that would showcase Bears athletics. As part of five-year building campaign, the school was promised a new facility.

Panoramic shot of Old Central Gym (2010)

Famous local architect Frank J. Schlotter was tasked to design the new gymnasium.
The style was English and Gothic architecture made of brick, concrete, and steel. The building covered a quarter city block at the southern corner of 6th St and Division St (later renamed Court St).  Eight huge steel trusses extended over the full width of the building allowing a clear view from any seat. They were supported by heavy steel columns built into the brick wall.
The fireproof gymnasium cost $150,000 and included maple flooring and the exterior had ornamental metal marquees.

Architect sketch by Frank J. Schlotter

The gymnasium seated 6800 and was the largest structure for athletic contests in the state. Because of its size, it virtually guaranteed Evansville a regional spot in the state tournament, putting Evansville basketball on the map. Plus, the three public entrances were double sets of outer and inner doors that allowed the building to be filled or emptied in minutes!

The ticketing office was located to the left of the main entrance on Vine St as was the ladies room and check room “for coats and wraps.” The men’s room was to the right. The original scoreboards were designed in school shops as ones on the market where either inefficient or too expensive.

New Central Gym – December 9, 1927. View is from 6th St looking towards Court St.

The “ultra-modern” gymnasium was dedicated on December 10, 1927. IHSAA chairman A. L. Trester was the main speaker for “Dedication night,” and the ceremony was broadcast on WGBF radio. Afterwards, Central opened its 1927-28 basketball season with a game against Linton H.S. It is also worth noting “East and West Highs” (Bosse and Reitz) got permission to use the building for larger events.

The gymnasium interior shortly before dedication December 1927
Stonework over 6th St door reads “Gymnasium C.H.S” (for Central High School) and “Erected 1927”

The 1937 Flood reached several landmarks downtown including Old Central. They gym was partially flooded as shown below.
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1937 Flood looking down 6th St. The old gym is at left

Central stayed in the downtown area until the early 1970s. When the new Central High School was built on First Ave, the old school was vacated. The brick building, including the enormous tower, was demolished in 1973 leaving the gym as the only remaining structure from the downtown complex.

Aerial view of Central’s campus 1956. The gym is in the rear right, and the main school block is now the YMCA parking lot

In 1979 the YMCA expanded from its original building and incorporated the gym into its facilities. It was also used regularly for ISUE (now USI) basketball games.

ISUE Central Arena – Courtesy USI Digital Archives (MSS 183-059)

When the new YMCA officially opened the September of 2019, the old building which included the 1927 gym was vacated. With the newer facilities, there are more modern amenities but the YMCA has lost a lot of its historical context. We may be biased but the best part about the new YMCA is the excellent view of the old building from the second story workout room.

A splendid view of the Old Central Gym from the new workout room

As for the future of the old gym, the YMCA doesn’t have any final plans for it at this time. We talked with Marketing and Annual Campaign director, Lisa Verkamp who confirmed they are using the old gym for some special events like the U of E Coaches Luncheon, the Futures Worth Fighting For Boxing Show, and the November Battle of the Paddle pickle ball tournament. Encouragingly, the YMCA is exploring all options including keeping it for programs, finding a partner organization to share it, or possibly selling the property. Lisa was cognizant of the historical importance of the building so even though the YMCA doesn’t have an answer to what they are going to with it, they are looking for a solution.

Old Central Gym http://historicevansville.com/site.php?id=oldcentralgym

Old Central http://historicevansville.com/site.php?id=oldcentral