Historical Images of Porter County

Steinmetz Hall, Valparaiso Technical Institute
Valparaiso, Indiana

Date: Circa 1960
Source Type: Postcard
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Nancy Ek Ferguson (#111020)
Postmark: None
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Remark: Steinmetz Hall, Valparaiso Technical Institute. This dorm features several study lounges, a stereo listening room, a table-tennis room, a weight-lifting room, a room for working on electronic equipment, and a TV lounge. The dorm is furnished with wall-to-wall carpeting and is air-conditioned. Campus living is considered an integral part of a young man's education at Valpo Tech. The Dodge Institute of Telegraphy was initially established as a department of the Northern Indiana Normal School in 1874 by G. A. Dodge. At that time, Dodge was employed as telegrapher of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad and saw opportunity in better educating future telegraphers. Reorganized by Dodge and F. R. Lunbeck in 1891, the school flourished and became the largest telegraph and railway instruction institution in the United States. As radio entered the scene, training in "wireless" communication was added to the curriculum of the institute. Dr. J. B. Hershman purchased the Dodge Institute in 1939 and moved the campus to the site formerly occupied by Pitkin-Brooks and L. E. Myers companies at Center Street and West Lincolnway. Following World War II, the Dodge Institute was renamed the Valparaiso Technical Institute. Valparaiso Technical Institute went defunct in April of 1991, ending 117 years of operation.

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Image and related text prepared by Steven R. Shook