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
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 codes	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.	Note	%±
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]

Education

All areas in Vigo County are in the Vigo County School Corporation. ^[11] Dresser is zoned to Sugar Creek Consolidated Elementary School, ^[12] West Vigo Middle School, and West Vigo High School. ^[13]

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 July 13, 2016.
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, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved June 25, 2010.
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.
11. Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Vigo County, IN (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved June 6, 2025. - Text list
12. S.C. [Sugar Creek] Consolidated [Elementary School Boundary] (Map). Vigo County School Corporation . Retrieved June 6, 2025. - Linked from here
13. West Vigo Middle/High School Boundary (PDF) (Map). Vigo County School Corporation . Retrieved June 6, 2025.