THE WAY WE WERE
A story of Adolescence in the 1950s
Featuring Daniel Boone & Davy Crockett
of Whiting High School

Al Koch
September 2026

PROLOUGE:

Once upon a time, in northern Indiana, near the shore of a large lake amid sand dunes, prairie grass, and railroad tracks, a small settlement formed.  Later, when an oil refinery was built adjacent to the property of the railroad settlement, a city took form. Soon after, businesses, houses of worship, neighborhoods, and schools followed.  Within the two and a half square miles of geography, immigrants from European countries came to find work.  Some moved on, others however, stayed, and the Little City by The Lake named Whiting became their home.

Sixty-eight years later, on an ordinary October morning in 1957, a couple of Whiting High School’s senior boys went hunting before dawn.  The aftermath of that excursion and their spur-of-the-moment-decision making became a folklore legend.  The kind of story that is told and embellished at future high school class reunions.

SETTING THE SCENE:

I’ve often said that growing up in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, in Whiting-Robertsdale was the best thing that could happen to a kid.  The Little City by the Lake was a self-contained, full-service, industrialized municipal Mayberry.

Upon graduation from Whiting-Robertsdale public and parochial grade schools in June of 1954, the latest group of 13- and 14-year-old students prepared to begin their high school years. Both World War II and the Korean War left indelible marks throughout the country.  Dwight D. Eisenhower was President, and guiding a country to adapt to post-war, technology, innovation and change. Many teens worked part-time, earning money instead of relying on parental allowance for personal wants and needs. Adolescents were becoming a monetary force accelerated by television, movies, transportation, radio, records, and fashions.  Teenagers were expressing individuality, independence, self-reliance, and celebrating being young! 

The 116 members of WHS newest freshman class crossed the threshold and began their secondary education at Whiting High School on Tuesday September 7, 1954. (see Appendix A). Later that first semester, Whiting won the Indiana State mythical football championship in 1954-55.  The year was filled with teenaged socializing, studies, and shenanigans, embodying the full gamut of adolescent coming-of-age adventure.

Our sophomore year, 1955-1956, began a few weeks after the massive explosion and fire at the Standard Oil Refinery in August 1955, that destroyed Stieglitz Park, and resulted in the deaths of two individuals. That calamity changed the communities of Whiting-Robertsdale economically, socially, physically, and emotionally. Numerous families re-located, finding suitable housing in Whiting, while other displaced residents moved out-of-town, reducing the city’s population and school-wide enrollment.

Change also took place at Whiting High School.  At the close of the 55-56 school year, veteran educator, William P. Burkholtz, who began teaching Machine Shop in the fall of 1921, retired. Mr. George McClure succeeded Mr. Buerkholtz. In addition, a new faculty member for the upcoming school year, Mr. James Ulrich, joined the English Department.

The Whiting City School Administration also changed. Mr. Emmett. L. Riordon, Superintendent from the 40s, retired and was succeeded by George Burman, former principal of Whiting High School.  Raymond Gallivan, Physical Education teacher and Coach, became high school principal.