Toto, Indiana

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Toto, Indiana
Depot in Toto, Indiana (1915).jpg
Depot in Toto, 1915
USA Indiana location map.svg
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Toto
Usa edcp location map.svg
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Toto
Coordinates: 41°15′33″N86°41′54″W / 41.25917°N 86.69833°W / 41.25917; -86.69833
Country United States
State Indiana
County Starke
Township Center
Elevation
[1]
709 ft (216 m)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
46534
Area code 574
GNIS feature ID444820 [1]

Toto is an unincorporated community in Center Township, Starke County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. [1]

History

An old variant name of the community was called Rye. [2] The origin of the name Toto is obscure, but it could possibly be of Native American origin. [3]

A post office was established at Toto in 1855, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1907. [4]

Toto has a local reputation for an abundance of curio stores, giving it the moniker "Indiana's Bargain Capital". [5]

Toto has also been recognized for being the inspiration for the name of Dorothy's dog, Toto, in the Wizard of Oz books by L. Frank Baum, who resided for a time at nearby Bass Lake. [6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Toto, Indiana
  2. ↑ "USGS detail on Toto - Variant Citation". Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History . Indiana University Press. p.  33. ISBN   978-0-253-32866-3. ...such as Ockley and Toto, are thought to be of Native American origins, but have uncertain origins.
  4. ↑ "Starke County". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ Schwartz, Jim. "Indiana's Bargain Capital". Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  6. ↑ Potempa, Philip (April 15, 2020). "Here are some fun facts about northwest Indiana". chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.