Greentown, Indiana

Last updated

Greentown, Indiana
Downtown Greentown Indiana.png
Downtown Greentown in the winter. Showing the light, and the corner which Subway sits.
Howard County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Greentown Highlighted 1829772.svg
Location of Greentown in Howard County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 40°28′39″N85°57′45″W / 40.47750°N 85.96250°W / 40.47750; -85.96250
Country United States
State Indiana
County Howard
Township Liberty
Area
[1]
  Total1.29 sq mi (3.35 km2)
  Land1.29 sq mi (3.35 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
843 ft (257 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total2,370
  Density1,831.53/sq mi (706.90/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
  Summer (DST) UTC-5 (EST)
ZIP code
46936 [3]
Area code 765
FIPS code 18-29772 [4]
GNIS feature ID2396976 [2]

Greentown is a town in Liberty Township, Howard County, Indiana, United States. Located approximately 9 miles east of Kokomo on State Road 22 / US 35; it is home to the Howard County Fair Grounds. The town was platted in 1848, and incorporated as a town in 1873. [5] Known for its collectible glassware made for only a few years by a local factory destroyed in 1903, [6] it is home to the Greentown Glass Museum. As of the 2010 census, the town's population was 2,415. [7]

Contents

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Greentown has a total area of 1.37 square miles (3.55 km2), all land. [8] It was the nearest town to the epicenter of the magnitude 3.8 Indiana earthquake of December 30, 2010.

History

Greentown was laid out in 1848 on the site of a former Native American village. Its inception was largely due to the need for a nearby trading post by people living in the area. First was a merchant, L. W. Bacon who built a log house on the northeast corner of Main and Merdian. Next was C. O. Fry who built on the southwest corner of the intersection. Just prior to the establishment of these local stores, around 1840 the Miami tribe of the Algonquin native peoples had a population in Howard county of about two hundred. There was an established village where South Kokomo is located, as well as villages south of present-day Cassville and Greentown. The frequently traveled paths were from Kokomo to Peru by way of the village of Cassville, and from Kokomo to Meshingomesia by way of a village south of Greentown. [9]

There are a few different versions of how Greentown received its name. One of the more obvious versions would be that Greentown was an area of luscious green grass. [10] Another version deals with the fact that before the town was incorporated that land was a part of a former township named Green Township. Green Township formed into both Liberty and Union Townships in 1860, and so even though Greentown wasn't incorporated until the 1870s people were still living there when it was Green Township, and may have possibly all opted to preserve Green Township in some way by naming their town after it. One other version is based on the idea of Greentown being an Indian settlement named after a Native American chief called Green. [10]

Greentown was incorporated some time between 1870 and 1880 as it first appeared on the US census in 1880. The population started out at just over 200, and quickly reached a thousand. Over the years since, Greentown's population numbers have seen notable gains every couple censuses followed by smaller drops between, which has enabled the town to slowly grow over time. The population has remained at nearly 2,500 since the 1990s. Greentown is expected to annex more area when the sewage treatment plant is updated, which is expected to bring another gain soon. [11]

The Hy-Red Gasoline Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. [12]

In 2022, a large solar power plant was approved for development near Greentown. Some locals have contested this development, voicing concerns about noise and about the loss of farmland around a longtime farming community. Protesters have alleged that the County Administrators and company representatives violated the law by holding illegal closed-door meetings, locking the public out of deliberations. [13]

Notable people

Glass industry

Greentown's first natural gas well came in 1877, and was located near the railroad on the west side of town. In years to come, D.C. Jenkins founded a glass manufacturing plant, Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Factory. The company was sold in 1899 to the National Glass Company. This company was fully operational until 1903 when a fire destroyed the building. The National Glass Company created glassware which is highly desirable today. The glass factory brought many jobs to the area and marked the town's main period of industrial activity. After the factory burned down and the natural gas supply drastically declined, Greentown's population dropped by about ten percent, and the town as a whole suffered severe loss of revenue. However, the town has since doubled in population from its industrial peak. [14]

Libraries

Greentown is home to two public libraries, one in the elementary building and the other in the local high school. The libraries host many events in the community to get Greentown residents involved and interested in reading.

Transportation

Roads

Following the passage of a law that permitted the seizure of lands for the purpose of building public roads, in 1869 the citizens undertook the building of two toll roads: the Kokomo and Greentown Gravel Road mostly on the south side of the Wildcat Creek finished in 1874 (today's 50 North), and the Kokomo- Greentown- Jerome Gravel Road on the north finished in 1871 (today's Sycamore Road). These two roads joined on 50 North and 780 East and came together into Greentown. By the early 1900s the toll gates were retired. [9]

In modern times Main Street carries several highways; Meridian Street is the main north and south road. That is where historic downtown Greentown is centered, and the Howard County Fair is down Meridian Street just north of Greentown. The Elementary School is on Walnut Street, and Harrison Street is the location of Eastern Junior & Senior High School. The football stadium is at the corner of Walnut and Harrison Streets.

Rail

The Interurban Railroad entered Greentown in 1902 and served the area until 1930. [15] It offered rail transportation to the citizens of Kokomo, Greentown, and Marion in neighboring Grant County. While the Interurban was running, many workers from Kokomo and Marion settled in Greentown for more rural living with urban jobs, and transformed Greentown into a suburban "bedroom" community and small business center. However, following the departure of the Interurban Greentown has not again seen modern public transportation.

Highways

Walking trails

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880 236
1890 731209.7%
1900 1,28776.1%
1910 1,156−10.2%
1920 1,1630.6%
1930 1,081−7.1%
1940 1,080−0.1%
1950 1,1809.3%
1960 1,2667.3%
1970 1,87047.7%
1980 2,26521.1%
1990 2,172−4.1%
2000 2,54617.2%
2010 2,415−5.1%
2020 2,370−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [16]
2013 Estimate [17]

Greentown first appeared on the census in 1880. In 1870 the only three towns listed in Howard County were Kokomo, Russiaville, and New London. In 1880 New London vanished and Greentown was listed instead. Soon after Greentown's incorporation, its population was rapidly double that of Russiaville's, and the population quickly rose to over a thousand people in just twenty years.

2010 census

As of the census [7] of 2010, there were 2,415 people, 964 households, and 645 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,762.8 inhabitants per square mile (680.6/km2). There were 1,069 housing units at an average density of 780.3 units per square mile (301.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 964 households, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the town was 41.4 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 20.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census [4] of 2000, there were 2,546 people, 995 households, and 703 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,534.8 inhabitants per square mile (978.7/km2). There were 1,050 housing units at an average density of 1,045.4 units per square mile (403.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.92% White, 0.47% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.

Greentown Historical Society, downtown Greentown. Greentown-indiana-historical-society.jpg
Greentown Historical Society, downtown Greentown.

There were 995 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,750, and the median income for a family was $52,310. Males had a median income of $42,132 versus $27,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,057. About 6.5% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

School district

Eastern High School competes in the Hoosier Heartland Conference (HHC) for athletics. Eastern's colors are green and gold. Eastern High School is home of the Mighty Comets.

Local media

Newspapers

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Howard County is one of 92 counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,658. The county seat is Kokomo. Originally named Richardville County, it was renamed in 1846 to commemorate General Tilghman Ashurst Howard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamestown, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Jamestown is a town in Jackson Township, Boone County and Eel River Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 958 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burlington, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Burlington is a town in Burlington Township, Carroll County, Indiana, United States. The population was 603 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. State Road 22 connects it to Kokomo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galveston, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Galveston is a town in Jackson Township, Cass County, Indiana, approximately 7 miles northwest of downtown Kokomo. The population was 1,311 at the 2010 United States Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigantown, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Michigantown is a town in Michigan Township, Clinton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 467 at the 2010 census. The town was named for the Michigan Road, an early thoroughfare through the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mulberry, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Mulberry is a town in Madison Township, Clinton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,231 at the 2020 census. The town was named for a mulberry tree which grew at the point where it was founded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Converse, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Converse is a town in Jackson Township, Miami County, and Richland Township, Grant County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,161 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweetser, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Sweetser is a town in Franklin, Pleasant and Richland townships, Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,229 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clayton, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Clayton is a small town in Liberty Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 972 at the 2010 census, up from 693 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Heights, Indiana</span> Neighborhood in Howard, Indiana, United States

Indian Heights is a neighborhood in Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana, United States. Indian Heights was a census-designated place (CDP) also before its annexation into Kokomo. The population was 3,011 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. On January 1, 2012, the neighborhood of Indian Heights was legally annexed into the city of Kokomo's corporate boundary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russiaville, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Russiaville is a town in Honey Creek Township, Howard County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,094 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kokomo Metropolitan Statistical Area. Russiaville was incorporated sometime between the 1860 and 1870 US Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amboy, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Amboy is a town in Jackson Township, Miami County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 317 at the 2020 census, down from 384 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexico, Indiana</span> Census-designated place in Indiana, United States

Mexico is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson Township, Miami County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 915 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osceola, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Osceola is a town in Penn Township, St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 2,463 at the 2010 Census. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharpsville, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Sharpsville is a town in Liberty Township, Tipton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The community is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, Sharpsville's population is 607.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania</span> Township in Pennsylvania, United States

White Township is a township in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,242 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty Township, Howard County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Liberty Township is one of eleven townships in Howard County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 4,737, down from 4,862 in 2010. Liberty Township hosts the Howard County fair each year in July in Greentown, which is the second biggest town in Howard County, and third biggest in the Kokomo Metropolitan Area after only Kokomo, and Tipton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monroe Township, Howard County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Monroe Township is one of eleven townships in Howard County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,325, down from 1,407 in 2010.

The Kokomo Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of Howard County in Indiana. Howard County had a population estimate of 83,831 in 2023. Kokomo is also the principal city of the area known as North Central Indiana, the area around Kokomo with economic ties. The six county area including Cass, Clinton, Fulton, Howard, Miami, and Tipton counties had population of 228,331 people in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homecroft, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Homecroft is a town in Perry Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States. The population was 752 at the 2020 census. Incorporated in 1949, it has existed as an included town since 1970, when it was incorporated into Indianapolis as part of Unigov. It is part of Indianapolis, but retains a functioning town government under IC 36-3-1-11.

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Greentown, Indiana
  3. "Greentown IN ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "History". Greentown Historical Society. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  6. "Greentown history" . Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  7. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  8. "G001 – Geographic Identifiers – 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Morrow, Jackson (1909). History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol.1. B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana. pp. 48, 105, 204. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "A Look Back as We Move Forward". The Kokomo Tribune. March 28, 1999. p. 58. Retrieved August 16, 2014 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  11. "US Census of Population and Housing". United States Census. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  12. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  13. "Greentown-area residents file appeal over ENGIE solar farm approval | Local news | kokomotribune.com". April 14, 2023. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  14. Greentown Glass
  15. "History". Greentown Historical Society. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  16. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  17. US Census https://www.census.gov . Retrieved April 23, 2015.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. http://www.eastern.k12.in.us [ bare URL ]
  19. "Greentown newspaper stops publishing due to slumping ad sales". June 23, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2023.