History of Bob Hedge Park - Ingramville
The park property is located on French Street in Jeffersonville. At
one time the property was owned by the Ingram family and was used by the
US military during the Civil War. We understand that it was used as
military parade grounds.
According to a newspaper article in the June 1, 1961 Evening News
Ingramville was built in 1911 as a township school when Trustee Frye
Curry erected the first building. Miss Nellie LaFever was in charge of
the school and John Marshall was later named to assist her.
When the first building proved unsatisfactory, citizens in the
Ingramville area protested and in 1914 a new two-room building was
constructed under the direction of Trustee Frank White.
In 1915, William T and Anna L. Ingram deeded four lots to the city
for $150 and this tract is the site of today's Ingramville/Bob Hedge
Park. Contract for erection of the new building was let to Jacob
Schiller. In 1917 two additional rooms were built and a centralized heating plant
was also added.
Records show the town of Ingramville School was annexed to
Jeffersonville in 1926, and thus Ingramville School was added to the
City School system.
A resolution adopted by the School Board of Trustees during 1930 called
for additional facilities for the building. They included two new
classrooms, expansion of two others, and a remodeled assembly room with
stage accessories, indoor toilet facilities, electric lights, and a
modern heating plant.
| In 1996 the park was named after Bob Hedge a local Philanthropist who advocated children and local charities. Bob Hedge grew up just one block east of Ingramville School. He started the first Little League baseball program in Charlestown, Indiana in the early 60's. In 1971 he started the first football program in Charlestown, Indiana. He coached baseball, football and softball, both men and women's teams. He was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame. |
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He started his philanthropy in the 70's raising money for one cause or another. In 1984 he created the "Bob's Stickhorse Derby", which was a take off of the Kentucky Derby. This one-day event was for children ages 1 - 6 and the proceeds went to "Crusade for Children". He continued this event until his passing in 1996. He held numerous other fundraising events such as "Diamond Drop", which raised money for a child abuse program. He started the "Kiss the Pig" contest. The person who had the most money donated in their name had to kiss the pig.
Through the years he created many other events to raise money for children in need. He was an active contributor to Crusade for Children, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, and CASA (court appointed special advocate). It is unknown the exact amount he raised in his lifetime but it is estimated to be over $500,000.00
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