Taylorville, Indiana

Taylorville, Indiana
Unincorporated community
Location of Taylorville in Vigo County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 39°27′45″N87°25′25″W / 39.46250°N 87.42361°W / 39.46250; -87.42361 Coordinates: 39°27′45″N87°25′25″W / 39.46250°N 87.42361°W / 39.46250; -87.42361
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Vigo
Township	Sugar Creek
Area [1]
• Total	0.15 sq mi (0.39 km2)
• Land	0.15 sq mi (0.39 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	469 ft (143 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	38
• Density	251.66/sq mi (97.24/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	47885
Area code(s)	812, 930
FIPS code	18-18658
GNIS feature ID	444608

Taylorville, also known as Taylorsville or Dresser, is an unincorporated community in eastern Sugar Creek Township, Vigo County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. ^[3] It is part of the Terre Haute metropolitan area. Though the United States Board on Geographic Names has officially designated the area as Taylorville, the 2010 United States Census considered the area a census designated place called Dresser. ^[4]

History

Taylorville was founded in 1908, and was named after a local farmer named Taylor. ^[5] A post office was established under the name Dresser in 1932, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1935. ^[6] Residents use the names Taylorville and Dresser interchangeably. ^[7]

Taylorville has historically had a reputation of being extremely poor and insular. A 1930s history of the village described it as “a breeding ground for all that was repugnant to American standards.” ^[8] Residents of Taylorville have recalled being bullied as children for being from the village. Residents do acknowledge that the village is extremely close-knit but also say they are simply independent and keep to themselves. ^{[7] [8]}

Taylorville has declined in population in recent decades. The village is located in a floodplain and acquiring a permit to build a home in the village is difficult. ^[7] As of 2013, Vigo County officials were attempting to purchase properties in Taylorville in an effort to remove residents from flood-prone residences. This plan has been met with resistance from Taylorville residents. ^[8]

Geography

Taylorville is located at 39°27′45″N87°25′25″W / 39.46250°N 87.42361°W / 39.46250; -87.42361 at an elevation of 591 feet. Located very near the Wabash River, the town is nestled between Terre Haute and West Terre Haute.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
2010	104		—
2020	38		−63.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]

As of the 2010 Census, the CDP of Dresser had 104 residents. All 104 residents were White and the median age was 38 years old. ^[10]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
3. "Taylorville, Indiana". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved August 6, 2017.
4. "Dresser Census Designated Place". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2010-06-25.
5. Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History . Indiana University Press. p.  320. ISBN   978-0-253-32866-3. ...was named in 1908 for a farmer called Captain Taylor.
6. "Vigo County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
7. McKee, Deb. "A look at the history behind the village of Taylorville". www.tribstar.com. Tribune-Star. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
8. Foulkes, Arthur. "Dresser: A town disappearing". www.tribstar.com. Tribune-Star. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
10. "U.S. Census website". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2020.