From the files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

This is a history column that will appear a few times a month.    

Information for this retrospective series is courtesy of the Kosciusko County Historical Society.

Feb. 9, 1977 — A fire of unknown origin destroyed the Quick Clean Laundry and Warsaw Home Appliance and TV, 500 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, early today. Losses from the blaze, which broke out shortly before 4:25 a.m., were estimated near $250,000.

The fire apparently started in the laundromat, then spread westward into the adjoining appliance store, then into a corner of the ceiling in the office in the westernmost portion of the building.

“That’s where we got it stopped,” said Warsaw Fire Chief Norman Banghart.

February 1966 — Warsaw High School’s basketball team is elated, and rightly so, after the Tigers won a thrill-packed 46-44 decision over Columbia City to capture their second consecutive sectional crown.

Team members include cheerleaders: Angie Blanchard, Beth Anglin, Bette Jo Carlin, Vonnie Goshert, Pat Cox, Nancy Gable; Paul Howard, manager; John Lucas, Phil Zile, Ben Niles, Mike Niles, Ron Barsh, alternate Ron Yeiter, Jan Essenburg, Glynn Johnson, Steve Hepler, Tim Johnson, Ron Clase, Doug Moore; Coach Boag Johnson, manager Jim Mangan and assistant coach Burt Niles.

Feb. 9, 1960 — Pupils of the Warsaw Community grade schools today completed their voting and selected new names for their respective schools.

West Ward becomes Madison, West Wayne is now Washington and the new name for East Wayne is Jefferson.

The only schools still to be named are East Ward and Center Ward. Due to tie votes, pupils at those schools were asked to send in another ballot, and they were being counted today.

On Feb. 10, it was announced East Ward would become McKinley. Feb. 11, it was announced Center Ward will become Adams.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels