Knightstown, Indiana

Town of Knightstown, Indiana
—  Town  —
Location in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 39°47′48″N 85°31′42″W
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Henry
Township	Wayne
Area
• Total	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2)
• Land	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	932 ft (284 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,182
• Density	3,025.4/sq mi (1,168.1/km2)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EST (UTC-5)
ZIP code	46148
Area code(s)	765
FIPS code	18-40266
GNIS feature ID	0437394
Website	http://www.knightstownonline.com

Knightstown is a town in Wayne Township, Henry County, Indiana, along the Big Blue River. The population was 2,182 at the 2010 census. Knightstown is famous for the 1986 movie Hoosiers. The Hoosier Gym was used in the filming of the movie. Knightstown hosts two annual festivals. Jubilee Days held in early-mid June and The Hoosier Fall Festival held in September. Knightstown also hosts an annual car show and a music series on the town square. The Hoosier Gym also hosts Indiana's best high school basketball players in the annual Hoosier Classic. Recently, many locals and beef jerky aficionados have begun a grass roots movement to name Knightstown the "Beef Jerky Capital of the World."

Geography

Knightstown is located at 39°47′48″N 85°31′42″W (39.796734, -85.528334).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land. By 1819, some settlers had come into the future Knightstown area. When the National Road was surveyed, it crossed a farm belonging to Waitsell M. Cary. In 1827, Cary hired chief surveyor Jonathan Knight (1787-1858) to plat out a village between Montgomery Creek and the Blue River. Cary also built the first structure in the town, which is now marked by a plaque on the northeast corner of Main and Washington Streets. He named the town for Jonathan Knight. There is only one Knightstown in the United States.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,148 people, 915 households, and 595 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,026.2 people per square mile (1,168.1/km²). There were 979 housing units at an average density of 1,379.2 per square mile (532.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.02% White, 0.42% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.09% Asian, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.23% of the population.

Knightstown, Indiana from the air, looking southwest.

There were 915 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,639, and the median income for a family was $42,222. Males had a median income of $36,081 versus $22,111 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,466. About 7.0% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Knightstown is served by the Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corporation.

Notable people

• Former Secretary of Agriculture (1969–1971) Clifford M. Hardin and historian Charles A. Beard grew up and attended school in Knightstown.
• Actor Monte Blue grew up and was educated at the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home located south of Knightstown.
• Character actor Forrest Lewis was born in Knightstown. He is best known for the recurring role of "Officer Kelly" in "The Shaggy Dog", "The Absent Minded Professor" and "Son of Flubber".
• Gussie Manlove
• U.S. Marine Private William Zion was born in Knightstown. He received the Medal of Honor during the China Relief Expedition.
• Leonidas Perry Newby (b. 1855) and Willard Meredith Avery (b. 1907) served as Grand Masters of the Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar of the United States of America, Sir Knight Newby serving 1922-25, and Sir Knight Avery serving 1976-79.

Recreation

• The gym that served as the home court for the Hickory Huskers in the movie "Hoosiers" is located in Knightstown. It is now known as the Hoosier Gym. It serves as a community center and has a small museum. The gym and museum are open daily to the public free of charge.
• Knightstown also has a public golf course named Royal Hylands, which in 2006 was named among the top 25 public golf courses in the state by the Indiana Golf Association tournament players.

External links

• Town of Knightstown, Indiana website
• http://www.cabeard.k12.in.us/
• http://www.knightstownchamber.com/home.html
• http://www.thehoosiergym.com