Historical Images of Porter County

Dodge's Institute of Telegraphy
Valparaiso, Indiana

Date: 1894
Source Type: Photograph
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Robert R. Beatty
Postmark: Not Applicable
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Remark: Dodge's 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.

The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway station was located at 453 West Lincolnway and was torn down after a fire destroyed much of the structure. The Franklin Hotel can be seen to the right of the station.

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Image and related text prepared by Steven R. Shook