The first attempt to establish a school in Tipton, Indiana was sometime around 1847. As the population grew, a frame house for this purpose was built in 1852 on the lot now occupied by West Street Christian Church. 

A new high school was built in 1869. This weathered photograph depicts the school's original appearance:

The Third Ward School was constructed on North and Oak Streets in Tipton, Indiana. The photo below shows Third Ward School.

The first Tiptonian was published by the class of 1899. 

A second high school was built in 1908 on the corner of North and Main. In 1908-09, Tipton became a member of the IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association). 

Quick sports facts:

• Tipton High School’s football team had its most successful season to date in 1901. Much of the credit was due to the coach, Dr. Max Mehlig of Purdue.
• President Theodore Roosevelt spoke to a Tipton crowd on September 23, 1902.
• In 1912, the first girls’ basketball team was formed at Tipton High School. 

The photo below shows Tipton High School in 1909. 

In 1920, First Ward, later known as Jefferson Elementary, was built. 

In 1928, Tipton High School won its first boys’ basketball sectional. The Blue Devils brought both championships home, and the Silver Basketball. 

Lush trees welcome visitors to First Ward, an elementary school that certainly looked classy and elegant:

The local essay contest in 1931 was won by Wilma Ulm. Wilma won first place in the district contest. On October 10th, Edwin Schweitzer and Robert Smay represented the Boy’s Glee Club in the All-State Chorus held in Indianapolis. Tipton’s FFA High School program began to sprout in 1935. 

Even in the modern era of Tipton Community School Corporation, Tipton's FFA is considered one of the most important parts of the school and community.

In 1936, the Blue Devils entered the Sheridan Sectional as the only undefeated team. They had 22 consecutive victories. 

During the 1940-41 basketball season, Tipton won 21 games. Tipton won all 4 sectional games and one of the regional games. 

President Harry S. Truman visited Tipton for a whistle-stop speech in 1948. 

Tipton’s first homecoming was in 1950. Lincoln Elementary was built in the early 50’s, a building that now houses Rock Prairie Church. 

In 1950, sounds of music graced Tipton's halls when the first high school orchestra was started. Fine arts weren’t neglected, as one of the student’s original works was hung in the gallery at L.S. Ayres and Company. 

This photograph shows Lincoln Elementary as it stood back then:

A new high school was constructed along State Road 19 in 1961, and on January 1, 1965, Tipton Community School Corporation was incorporated. 

In 1961-62, the cross country team had one of its best records; in 1968, the Blue Devils football team won the CIC championship. 

The 1970s were a busy time for TCSC in regards to both sports and academics.

On the sports front, in 1973, Tipton’s trackmen finished 4th in the CIC competition; then, in 1978, the Lady Blue Devil girls’ basketball team won the sectional. The football team captured the conference co-championship. The 880 relay team placed first in the conference and the boys’ basketball team enjoyed a winning season for the first time in eight years. 

Tipton Middle School and Washington Elementary School were built as shown below:

On the academic side of things, a new planetarium came into being. This planetarium--that is still in use today--was constructed in 1973 and its programs were made available to the community and surrounding schools. 

In 1978, the THS band received 86 first place division medals in the District Solo Ensemble. Additionally, the girls’ volleyball team posted a 12-5 record and finished second in the Taylor sectional. 

The 80s and 90s were exciting times! One of the highlights of the decade was the Tipton - Carmel basketball game at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis in 1980. Tipton won 64-57.

THS graduates Mark and James Ertel were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (M. Ertel in 1985 and J. Ertel in 1990, respectively).

In 1990, the girls’ softball team won the IHSAA State Championship; additionally, in the same year, Tipton’s Golf team ended the season with a 26-2 record. This team was one of the best in Tipton High School history and was picked to advance past the sectional. 

All three elementary schools that served the city--Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson--merged into one school to become Tipton Elementary School. 

Recent history is still worthy of remembrance. In 2003, Don Curnutt and Dick McIntosh were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Dan Mattingly, a Tipton native and 1939 THS graduate, entrepreneur and veteran, spoke with TMS students about his experiences in WWll.