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Blackford County, Indiana

Coordinates: 40°28′N 85°19′W / 40.47°N 85.32°W / 40.47; -85.32
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Blackford County
County
Blackford County Courthouse in downtown Hartford City
Blackford County Courthouse in downtown Hartford City
Map of Indiana highlighting Blackford County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°28′N 85°19′W / 40.47°N 85.32°W / 40.47; -85.32
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded2 April 1838
Named forIsaac Blackford
2nd Chief Justice of Indiana and longest serving member of the Indiana Supreme Court
SeatHartford City
Area
 • Total165.40 sq mi (428.4 km2)
 • Land165.10 sq mi (427.6 km2)
 • Water0.31 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.19%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total12,766
 • Density77/sq mi (29.86/km2)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.blackfordcounty.com
  Indiana county number 5

Blackford County is located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Indiana. The county is named for Judge Isaac Blackford, who was the first Speaker of the Indiana General Assembly and a long-time Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court.[1][2] The county was supposed to be organized on April 2, 1838, after a February 15, 1838, act by the Indiana General Assembly that took territory from Jay County.[3] County officials were not elected until 1839 after a second legislative act.[4]

Blackford County is divided into four townships, and the county seat is Hartford City.Template:GR The county contains two incorporated cities and one incorporated town, and is also the site of over ten unincorporated communities and ghost towns. A small portion of a third city extends into the southeast corner of the county. Occupying only 165.4 square miles (428 km2), Blackford County is the fourth smallest county in Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the county's population is 12,766 people in 5,236 occupied households,[5] and only 7 of Indiana's 92 counties have lower populations. All of the county's rail lines are owned by the same railroad company, and three Indiana state roads cross the county. An additional Indiana state road is located along the county's southeast border.[6][7]

Before the arrival of non-indigenous settlers during the 1830s, the northeastern portion of the future Blackford County was briefly the site of an Indian reservation for certain members of the Miami tribe.[8] The original non-indigenous settlers were mostly farmers, and small agricultural communities became scattered throughout the county.[9] The county began as mostly swampland, and became agriculture-oriented as the swampland became drained. When the county's rail lines were constructed in the 1860s and 1870s, additional communities evolved as railroad stops.[10]

Beginning in the late 1880s, the discovery of natural gas and crude oil in the county (and surrounding region) caused the area to undergo an economic boom period known as the Indiana Gas Boom.[11] Manufacturers relocated to the area to take advantage of the low-cost energy and railroad facilities. The boom period lasted about fifteen years, and is reflected in Blackford County's population, which peaked in 1900 at 17,213.[12] The county's appearance was transformed during that period, and much of the infrastructure constructed during that time remains today, including Montpelier's historic Carnegie Library and many of the buildings in Hartford City's Courthouse Square Historic District.[13][14]

Agriculture continues to be important to the county, and became even more important after the loss of several large manufacturers during the 20th century.[15] Today, 72 percent of Blackford County is covered by either corn or soybean fields; additional crops, such as wheat and hay, are also grown.[16]

History

See also: Timeline of Blackford County, Indiana history and History of Hartford City, Indiana
Historic marker for Godfroy Reserve

Following thousands of years of varying cultures of indigenous peoples, the historic Miami and Delaware Indians (Lenape) are credited as being the first-recorded permanent settlers in the Blackford County area, living on the Godfroy reserve after an 1818 treaty.[17] The site is located in Blackford County's Harrison Township, east of Montpelier.[18] Although the Godfroy reserve was allotted to Miami Indian Chief Francois (a.k.a. Francis) Godfroy, Delaware Indians were also allowed to stay there.[19] The Miami tribe was the most powerful group of Indians in the region, and Francois Godfroy (who was half French) was one of their chiefs. By 1839, Godfroy had sold the reserve, and the Indians had migrated west.[17]

Benjamin Reasoner was the first non-native to enter future Blackford County, and its first land owner.[20][21] Reasoner entered what would become Licking Township on July 9, 1831.[22] Reasoner and his sons built the county's first mill, which was located on the Reasoner farm.

The largest water mill in Blackford County was built around 1843 in Matamoras, on the other side of the county. Matamoras is the oldest community in Blackford County, and was first considered part of Jay County. John Blount, arriving in 1833, was the leader of this small village.[23][24] The Matamoras mill, which was located on the Salamonie River, was considered one of the finest mills in the state.[25]

A second community that was originally part of Jay County is Montpelier. Montpelier is located west of Matamoras on the Salamonie River. Led by Abel Baldwin, the community was started in 1836 by groups of migrant settlers from Vermont.[26] The Vermont natives named the settlement Montpelier, after the capital of their home state. Montpelier was platted in 1837, the first in Blackford County.

The land that would become Blackford County was the western part of Jay County. An act of the Indiana General Assembly, which was approved January 30, 1836, created Jay County effective after March 1, 1836.[27] In December 1836, a motion was made in the Indiana House of Representatives that "a select committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of dividing the county of Jay, and establishing its western boundary line" – but this resolution was not adopted.[28] Several sources claim Blackford County was created in 1837.[29] However, the law was not finalized until 1838. Indiana bill of the House No. 152 was originally for the creation of a county named Windsor. The name "Windsor" was replaced with the name "Blackford" by the House of Representatives in January 1838.[30] An "act for the formation of the county of Blackford" was approved on February 15, 1838.[31] This act intended that the county would be "open for business" on the first Monday in April, 1838, which was April 2.[32] However, the county was not organized.[33] On January 29, 1839, the original February 15 act was amended, and section 1 states "Be it enacted by the general Assembly of the State of Indiana, That the said county of Blackford shall from and after the passage of this act enjoy all the rights and privileges, benefits and jurisdictions, which do, or may properly belong or appertain to separate, or independent counties."[31] The act also appointed commissioners, and corrected a "misprint" that defined the southeast corner of the new county. The next two years continued a political "battle" over the location of the county seat. The tiny community of Hartford was repeatedly selected by the commissioners, but those decisions were challenged by individuals favoring Montpelier. While Licking Township (location of community of Hartford) was the most populous township in the county, the community of Montpelier was the county's oldest platted community. After a third and fourth act of the Indiana General Assembly, Hartford was finalized as the location of the county seat – and construction of a courthouse began.[34][35]

1890s railroad map showing Blackford County's two rail lines. One line moves north-south through Hartford City and Montpelier, and the other moves east-west through Hartford City.
1890s railroad map of Blackford County

Over the next twenty-five years, the county grew slowly. Plans were made for roads and railroads, and swampland was drained. The first railroad line was authorized in 1849. The plan was for the Fort Wayne & Southern Railroad Company to connect the Indiana cities of Fort Wayne and Muncie — running north-south through the Blackford County communities of Montpelier, and Hartford City (see railroad map).[36] Although work constructing the railroad line began in the 1850s, it was not completed (by connecting Fort Wayne to Muncie) until 1870, and this delay caused it to be the county's second railroad.[36] By the time the railroad began operations, it was named Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad.[36] (Most of the "Louisville" part of the name can be seen on the railroad map herein.) The Lake Erie and Western Railroad acquired the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad in 1890.[37][38]

Blackford County has had two railroad lines for over 140 years. The first railroad to operate in Blackford County crossed somewhat east-west through the county's southern half. The railroad was named Union and Logansport Railroad Company by the time it entered Blackford County.[39] This line was proposed in 1862, and completed to Hartford City in 1867 — running through the Blackford County communities of Dunkirk, Crumley's Crossing, and Hartford City. The small community of Crumley's Crossing was renamed Converse, and two other communities (Millgrove and Renner) became established on this line. The railroad was eventually named Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad.[36] Other names for the railroad since that time include the Panhandle division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central Railroad Company, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern Railway.[40] A portion of this line is now abandoned, and the track has been removed between Converse and Hartford City, south of Indiana State Road 26.[41]

Gas boom

See also: Indiana Gas Boom
Hartford City's waterworks building with date on front of building of 1894
Hartford City's waterworks, built in 1894
Old red-brick church building with arched entrance and stained-glass window
Montpelier's historic Baptist Church, built during Montpelier's Oil Boom

In 1886, natural gas was discovered in two counties adjacent to Blackford County. The discoveries were in the small community of Eaton in Delaware County, and in the city of Portland in Jay County.[42] The Hartford City Gas & Oil Company was formed in early 1887, and successfully drilled a natural gas well later in the year. In Montpelier, the Montpelier Gas & Oil Mining company was organized in the spring of 1887.[11] While natural gas was found throughout Blackford County, crude oil was found mostly in the county's Harrison Township. Blackford County's first successful oil well, located just south of Montpelier, began producing during 1890.[43] Montpelier was thought to be "the very heart of the greatest natural gas and oil field in the world".[44] Oil was also found in parts of Washington Township, including a well that was thought to be "the most phenomenal well ever drilled in America".[45] By 1896, Blackford County had 18 natural gas companies. These companies were headquartered in all four of the county's townships, including the communities of Hartford City, Montpelier, Roll, Dunkirk, Trenton (Priam Post Office), and Millgrove.[46]

In June 1880, Blackford County had only 171 people working in manufacturing.[47] The Gas Boom transformed the region, as manufacturers moved to the area to utilize the natural gas and railroad system. During 1901, Indiana state inspectors visited 21 manufacturing facilities in Blackford County, and these companies employed 1,346 people (compare to 171 two decades earlier). The two largest employers were glass factories: American Window Glass and Sneath Glass Company.[48] Since these inspections were in Hartford City and Montpelier only, additional manufacturing employees from Mollie, Trenton, Millgrove, and possibly other communities in the county could be added to the count of 1,346. Hartford City's resources were especially favored by glass factories, and a 1904 directory lists ten of them.[49]

In addition to an economic transformation, another by-product of the Gas Boom was an upgrade of Blackford County's appearance. Many of the county's landmark buildings were constructed during the Gas Boom, including the current courthouse and surrounding Courthouse Square Historic District in Hartford City.[13][50] The city's waterworks (see photo herein) was also built during that period.[51] Additional buildings include the Carnegie Library and historic Presbyterian Church.[52] In Montpelier, many of the buildings in the Downtown Historic District were also constructed during the Gas Boom, including the historic Baptist Church (see photo herein). The church and Montpelier's Carnegie Library were constructed in the early 1900s – near the end of the Gas Boom.[53]

Post-gas boom

The Indiana Gas Boom gradually came to an end during the first decade of the 20th century.[54] The end of the Gas Boom meant less prosperity for the county. The gas and oil workers left, some of the manufacturers moved, and the service industries were forced to close or cut back operations because of fewer customers. Adding to the county's problems, the method originally used for producing window glass became obsolete, causing many of the county's skilled glass workers at the large American Window Glass plant to lose their jobs.[55] By 1932, the county's former largest employer closed its Hartford City plant.[56][57] According to the United States Census, Blackford County's population peaked at 17,123 in 1900, and it still has not returned to that zenith over 100 years later.[12]

The end of the Gas Boom was especially difficult for the smaller communities in the county. Many businesses closed or moved. In the case of Millgrove, the community's major manufacturer (a glass factory) closed.[58] For other communities, such as Mollie, the loss of the gas and oil workers meant that the local Post Office was a "waste of time", and consumer demand at the general store was significantly diminished.[59]

Huge cornfield
Corn field in East Central Indiana

Improvements to the automobile and highways, which coincided with the end of the Gas Boom, may have also contributed to the decline of the county's smaller communities.[60] The automobile changed "business and shopping patterns at the expense of the small-town merchant." Small town residents began to drive to larger communities to purchase goods, because of the wider selection.[61] The improved quality of automobiles and roads competed with the interurban]] lines and passenger service on the railroads, causing a decline in passenger traffic. Small towns associated with railroad stations suffered from the loss in traffic. In Blackford County, passenger service on the Lake Erie and Western Railroad line (owned by the Nickel Plate Road by that time) was discontinued in 1931, during the Great Depression. On January 18, 1941, the last interurban train ran in Blackford County.[40]

Although the natural gas and oil workers left the area after the gas (and oil) boom, Montpelier's population eventually stabilized — and Hartford City's grew. Some of the manufacturers remained in the county's two largest cities because of a lack of better alternatives. Hartford City's Sneath Glass Company, a major employer, continued operations until the 1950s.[62] Hartford City leaders attracted businesses such as Overhead Door and 3M to replace some of the companies that left the area. Overhead Door was a major employer in Hartford city for over 60 years. During the 1980s, Overhead Door cut back local operations and the plant was closed in 2000.[63] In 2011, the plastics plant closed, laying off 200 employees.[64]

Agriculture continues to be an important factor in the county's economy. Over 70 percent of Blackford County's land is occupied by soybean or corn fields.[16] Additional crops and livestock are also raised. Good returns in agriculture is not always reflected in the economy of nearby towns, as industrial agriculture has reduced the number of workers it needs, and family farms have declined. Many small towns in the "Corn Belt", such as the communities in Blackford County, continue to decline in size and affluence.[65]

Government

See also: Government of Indiana

The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and the Indiana Code. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes and service taxes.[66][67] In 2010, the county budgeted approximately $3.95 million for the district's schools and $3.18 million for other county operations and services, for a total annual budget of approximately $7.1 million.[68]

The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue and managing day-to-day functions of the county government.[66][67] The current president of Blackford County's board of commissioners (as of June 15, 2011) is Fred Walker.[69]

The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[67]

The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and be residents of the county.[67]

Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, among other duties.[70] The trustee is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms.[71]

Based on 2000 census results, Blackford County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district, Indiana Senate district 19 and Indiana House of Representatives district 31.[72][73]

Geography

Map of Blackford County
Map of Blackford County

Blackford County is considered part of East Central Indiana. Hartford City, the county seat, is located about 55 miles (89 km) south of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and about 78 miles (126 km) northeast of Indianapolis.[74] Along the north side of the county is Wells County, and on the eastern side of the county is Jay County, which separates Blackford County from Indiana's border with the state of Ohio. Delaware County is located on Blackford County's southern border, and to the west is Grant County. According to the 2000 census, Blackford County has a total area of 165.40 square miles (428.4 km2), of which 165.10 square miles (427.6 km2) (or 99.82%) is land and 0.31 square miles (0.80 km2) (or 0.19%) is water.[75]

The county land was flattened by two glaciers millions of years ago.[76] These glaciers are also responsible for the rich Blackford County farmland that became available after the county was cleared and drained.[77] During the early 20th century, the Renner Stock Farm, in Licking Township, was known state-wide for its quality cattle, hogs, and horses.[78]

The county has some small streams and lakes, although the lakes are man-made. The Salamonie River, flowing out of Jay County from the east, crosses the northeast corner of Blackford County. Big and Little Lick Creek flow westward in Licking and Jackson townships in the southern half of the county.[79] The county's first settlers were attracted to Lick Creek, and then the Salamonie River, because the nearby land had suitable drainage for farming.[22] The county's lakes include Lake Blue Water in Harrison Township; Cain's Lake, Shamrock Lakes and Lake Mohee in Licking Township; and Lake Placid in Jackson Township.[80][81][82] Lake Blue Water is a spring-fed former stone quarry located one mile (1.6 km) east of Montpelier.[83] The Lake Blue Water Country Club was especially popular during the 1920s, and the lake still provides fishing, boating, and swimming.[84]

Licking and Harrison townships were original to the county. Washington Township, which is named after President George Washington, was created June 29, 1839, by the county commissioners.[85][86] Jackson Township, which was probably named after President Andrew Jackson, was created by the commissioners on September 22, 1839.[87][88]

There are two incorporated cities within the county, and a small portion of a third city is located at the county's southeast corner. The largest city is county seat Hartford City, located in the southern half of the county. Hartford City's population in 2010 was 6,220 — well below its 1970 peak of 8,207. The other incorporated city located entirely within the county is Montpelier, which is situated on the southern banks of the Salamonie River in the northeastern part of the county. Montpelier's 2010 population was 1,805. Montpelier's population is below its Census Bureau peak of 3,405 achieved in 1900, and less than one half of an unofficial peak of 5,000 estimated during the city's oil boom in 1895.[89] A small portion of the city of Dunkirk, known as Shadyside, is located in the Jackson Township portion of Blackford County, but most of Dunkirk is located in Jay County.[90][91] Shamrock Lakes is Blackford County's only incorporated town.[80] Incorporated May 21, 1973, Shamrock Lakes was the only town to incorporate in Indiana in the previous 50 years.[80] Its 2010 population was 231.

oldtime map with drawings
Blackford County portion of 1887 mail and railway map
Rectangular map of an Indiana county is almost square. One railroad crosses the southern portion of the county mostly east-west, while the other railroad crosses mostly north-south. The two rail lines intersect in the county seat, Hartford City.RollIndiana SR 18MontpelierMatamorasWells CountyWashington TownshipHarrison TownshipMollieRennerGrant CountyHartford CityIndiana SR 3TrentonIndiana SR 26Jay CountyLicking TownshipJackson TownshipShamrock LakesMillgroveConverse/Crumley's CrossingDunkirkIndiana SR 167Delaware CountyNorfolk Southern RailwayFormer railroad line
Image map of Blackford County and communities that either existed or still exist. Many features are linked.

Unincorporated communities

Blackford County has five unincorporated communities: Converse (formerly named Crumley's Crossing), Matamoras, Millgrove, Roll (formerly named Dundee), and Trenton (former Post Office named Priam). These villages are sometimes listed as ghost towns, as all (or nearly all) businesses in these communities have closed.[92] However, residences are still maintained in these communities, they are listed as populated places by the U.S. Geological Survey, and appear on road maps.[93][94] Millgrove, Roll/Dundee, and Trenton/Priam all had Post Offices during the 19th or 20th centuries.[95]

Extinct communities

Blackford County also has at least ten communities that do not exist anymore. In some cases, a church or farm remains at the extinct community's location.[92] Bowser Station, Dorsey Station, Mollie, Silas, and Slocum all had Post Offices during the 19th century.[95] Mollie's Post Office lasted until 1907.

  • Bowser Station — This community was a railroad stop in southern Licking Township, and had a Post Office during the 1870s.[95][96]
  • Dorsey Station — This Harrison Township community was a railroad stop, and had a Post Office during the 1870s.[95][96]
  • Frog Alley — This Washington Township community had a church and school. The name Frog Alley was bestowed on the community because of the swampy condition of the area. The school, which began in 1863, lasted until 1923.[97]
  • Greenland — Located in Harrison Township at 400 North and 600 East.[92]
  • Mollie — This community thrived in the 1890s as a railroad stop with a grain elevator, Post Office, and general store.[23] It was also located near the Harrison Township oil fields.[98]
  • Pleasantdale — Located in Harrison Township, at 300 North and 600 East.[92]
  • Renner — This Licking Township community was a railroad stop next to the Renner Stock Farm. Housing for the farm's employees was also located there. It thrived from the 1890s until the 1920s.[78] Renner is still listed as a populated place by the U.S. Geological Survey, but its "population" is a farm.[93]
  • Silas — The Washington Township land that became the community of Silas was purchased in 1848, and the original owner established a church and school. By 1880, a general store was established at that location, and its owner was Silas Rayl. During the first decade of the 20th century, the Silas general store closed, contributing to the demise of the community.[99]
  • Slocum — This community was located in southwestern Harrison Township (see 1887 mail and railway map herein), and had a Post Office from 1886 until 1902.[95]
  • Winterhurst — Located in Licking Township, at 200 South and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) East.[92]

Economy

Blackford County's economy is supported by a labor force of approximately 6,313 workers with an unemployment rate for May 2011 of 10.0 percent.[100] Industrial parks are located in both Montpelier and Hartford City, and both cities are served by railroad line owned by Norfolk Southern.[101][102] Over 30 employers of varying size are located in the county.[103] The Blackford County School System has the most employees, with locations in both Hartford City and Montpelier.[103] 3M Company is currently the largest manufacturer in the county, and has been located in Hartford City since its purchase of the Hartford City Paper Mill in 1955.[104] Another business employing more than 100 people is Blackford County Community Hospital, located in Hartford City.[103] Emhart Gripco is Montpelier's leading employer, with over people working at its facility.[103]

Four categories of employment account for over 50 percent of employment in the county: manufacturing, government, retail trade, and health care.[100] The largest category is manufacturing, and it accounts for about 19 percent of the county's employed workforce. In addition to local Blackford County businesses, larger local economies in the more populous counties to the south and west offer employment and commerce, particularly in the city of Muncie in Delaware County, and the city of Marion in Grant County. Both counties employ more workers than their local workforce can provide.[105][106]

Agriculture has a significant impact on the county, although farm workers account for only about 5% of the county's workers.[100] In 2007, the county had 250 farms occupying 84,626 acres (34,247 ha).[107] Therefore, roughly 80 percent of Blackford County is farmland.[108] Nearly 72,000 acres (29,000 ha) are devoted to the cultivation of soybeans and corn. Wheat, hay, and oats were also grown. Livestock include over 24,000 hogs and pigs.[107]

Transportation

There are no interstate highways in Blackford County, although Interstate 69 passes about 5 miles (8.0 km) to the west of the county's western border. U.S. Route 35 shares a portion of I-69's route in this area; it also does not enter Blackford County.

State Road 3 enters the county from the south after passing through Eaton in neighboring Delaware County. It passes directly north through Hartford City and leaves the county near Roll, continuing north into Wells County.[109] State Road 18 runs from west to east through the north end of the county, on its way from Marion to the Ohio border; it passes through Montpelier and Matamoras.[110]

State Road 26 also runs from west to east, entering from Upland in neighboring Grant County and passing through Hartford City where it crosses State Road 3. Going on through Trenton, it enters Jay County on its way to the Ohio border.[111]

State Road 167 runs along the eastern border of the county for about 5 miles (8.0 km) as it goes north from Dunkirk; it terminates when it reaches State Road 26.[112]

A Norfolk Southern Railway railroad line enters the county from the south after leaving Eaton; it runs about a mile to the east of State Road 3 until it reaches Hartford City where it veers to the northeast and passes through Montpelier. It continues into Wells County to the north.[7] Norfolk Southern also owns Blackford County's east–west line located in the southern half of the county. An 8-mile (13 km) section of this line, between Converse and Hartford City, was abandoned during the last decade, and track has been removed.[113] The line is still in service north of State Road 26, between Hartford City and Upland in Grant County. In October 2009, Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis pursued a leasing agreement to operate the east–west line with Norfolk Southern Railway in Blackford County.[114] However, the line currently (June 2011) does not appear on the Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis system map.[115]

Climate and weather

Hartford City, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
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Source: The Weather Channel[116]
Metric conversion
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Blackford County has a typical Midwestern humid continental seasonal climate, and its Köppen climate classification is Dfa.[117] There are four distinct seasons, with winters being cold with moderate snowfall, while summers can be warm and humid.[118] In recent years, average temperatures in county seat Hartford City have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.94 inches (49 mm) in February to 4.33 inches (110 mm) in June.[116]

March and April are considered tornado season in Indiana.[118] Blackford County has endured a few tornados, including a category 4 (maximum speeds 207 to 260 mph) on Palm Sunday (April 11) in 1965 that crossed Blackford County 7 miles (11 km) from the center of Hartford City. Two category 1 tornados crossed the middle of Hartford City in 2002.[119][120] Hail 4.5 inches (110 mm) in diameter fell in Hartford City on April 9, 2001. In a tie with the city of Cayuga, those hail "stones" are the largest ever recorded in the state of Indiana.[118] The biggest snow storm in recent memory was the Great Blizzard of 1978, which occurred on January 26–27, 1978. A federal state of emergency was declared for Indiana at that time.[118] Indiana governor Otis R. Bowen authorized the use of National Guard equipment, facilities, and personnel throughout the state.[121] Low temperatures, high winds, and deep snow caused Blackford County to look like a ghost town, as schools and businesses closed. Wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) caused snowdrifts up to 5 feet (1.5 m) high, making travel by any type of truck or automobile almost impossible. Snowmobiles were the only viable means of transportation, and volunteers from Hartford City's Snowmobile Club provided emergency assistance.[122]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,226—
18502,860133.3%
18604,12244.1%
18706,27252.2%
18808,02027.9%
189010,46130.4%
190017,21364.5%
191015,820−8.1%
192014,084−11.0%
193013,617−3.3%
194013,7831.2%
195014,0261.8%
196014,7925.5%
197015,8887.4%
198015,570−2.0%
199014,067−9.7%
200014,048−0.1%
201012,766−9.1%
Sources: United States Department of Commerce,

Bureau of the Census, Population Division[12]

Blackford County Census QuickFacts[5]

As of the 2010 United States Census, Blackford County's population density was 77.3 inhabitants per square mile (29.8/km2), well below the average for Indiana, which was 180.8 inhabitants per square mile (69.8/km2).[5] Blackford County had 12,766 people, 5,236 households, and 3,567 families residing within its borders. The racial makeup of the county was 97.7% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[123]

The average household size was 2.41, and the average family size was 2.88. Families accounted for 68.1% of the county's 5,236 households, and 75.5 percent of these families included a husband and wife living together. 38.9 percent of the family households had children under the age of 18 living in them. Non-family households accounted for 31.9% of total households, and 86.8% of them were occupied by someone living alone. People 65 years and older, living alone, accounted for 40.1% of non-family households — or 12.8% of all types of households.[123]

In terms of age distribution, 22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, and 21.6% were 62 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.[123]

Because the 2010 Census was completed recently (by Census standards), not all data are ready (August 2011) for public consumption. Therefore, the following statistics are based upon the 2000 United States Census. The median income for a household in the county in 2000 was $34,760, and the median income for a family was $41,758. Males had a median income of $30,172 versus $21,386 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,543. About 6.0% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.[124] In terms of ancestry, 16.7% were German, 15.5% were American, 9.3% were Irish and 7.8% were English.[125]

Education and health care

The county's five public schools are administered by the Blackford County School Corporation.[126] During the 2009–10 school year, a total of 2,037 students attended these schools.[127] The county school system was reorganized in 1963, after a county-wide vote favored a single school system for the entire county.[128] As a result of this decision, Hartford City and Montpelier High Schools graduated their last classes in 1969, and a new high school serving the entire county was constructed in time for the 1969–1970 school year.[128] Like the county's name, the county's new high school was named after Isaac Newton Blackford, and is called Blackford High School. The school is located a few miles north of Hartford City, and is therefore located somewhat in the center of the county. The new high school was designed for 1,200 students, and initial enrollment totaled to 1,150 students.[129] Current enrollment is less than 700.[130]

Blackford County has at least four universities located in adjacent counties less than 25 miles (40 km) from Hartford City. Ball State University is the largest and most well known, and is located in Delaware County's city of Muncie. Muncie is also home to Ivy Tech State College-East Central. Private school Indiana Wesleyan University is located in Marion, which is in Grant County.[135] Another private school, Taylor University, is less than 10 miles (16 km) from Hartford Ctiy in Grant County's Upland.[136]

The cities of Montpelier and Hartford City both have public libraries. The Public Library of Montpelier and Harrison Township was built in 1907 and 1908.[137] This building is also known as the Montpelier Carnegie Library because it was made possible by a grant from philanthropist (and former business magnate) Andrew Carnegie. The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[138] Hartford City's Public library was also made possible by a grant from Carnegie, and it was built in 1903. The Carnegie Fund required local towns to do fundraising to match the grants, and to commit to operating the libraries after their construction. In many localities, women's groups were instrumental in organizing and doing fundraising for the libraries, both at the time of construction and since.[139] Another library located in Hartford City belongs to the Blackford County Historical Society, and a museum is housed in the same building.[140]

The county's hospital is Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital, a 15-bed facility located on Hartford City's north side. This facility was opened January 2005, and includes a medical office building and ambulance garage.[141]

Media

See also: List of Defunct Newspapers of Hartford City, Indiana

The first newspaper in Blackford County was The Hartford City Times, which was started by Dr. John Moler in 1852. Moler ran a drug store and print shop, and the Times was mostly an advertiser.[142] At least one source considers The Blackford County News, which was started later in 1852, as the county’s first newspaper—possibly because the Times was mostly for advertising.[143] Across the county in Montpelier, the The Montpelier Examiner was first published in 1879, and that newspaper is the predecessor of the town’s long-time newspaper, The Montpelier Herald. The county's first daily newspaper, the Evening News, was started in 1894 by Edward Everett Cox. This Hartford City newspaper was eventually renamed the Hartford City News. After Cox’s death in the 1930s, the Cox family sold the Hartford City News to the owners of Hartford City’s Times-Gazette, and the combined entity became the Hartford City News-Times..[144] Changing ownership over the years, the Hartford City News-Times continued operations through the 20th century. During the 21st century, the newspaper began using the name News-Times, and calls itself "Blackford County’s only daily newspaper".[145]

The two major television markets that reach Blackford County are Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.[146] Although a few lower-powered stations are located closer to Blackford County in cities such as Muncie, Marion, and Kokomo, these stations typically do not have a broadcast range that covers all of Blackford County.[147] There are no AM radio stations based in Blackford County, but plenty of nearby areas have AM stations in broadcast range. This includes Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Muncie, and Marion among others.[148] Plenty of FM stations are also in broadcast range, and Blackford County has FM radio stations located in Hartford City and Montpelier.[149][150][151] Hartford City, Montpelier, and Shamrock Lakes all have cable TV and internet access available.[152]

Notable people

Astronaut Kevin A. Ford in spacesuit
Kevin A. Ford
Painting of Governor Townsend
M. Clifford Townsend in 1940
  • Clarence G. Johnson was the first president of Overhead Door Corporation, and lived in Hartford City, Indiana, for the last dozen years of his life.[63] He was a pioneer in the development of garage doors, and holds numerous related patents.[155] One of Johnson's more notable inventions is the first "electric operator for sectional upward-acting doors".[156] Johnson's Overhead Door Corporation was a major employer in Blackford County for over 60 years, employing as many as 515 people during its peak years.[63]
  • Paul W. McKee was a resident of Hartford City, Indiana, for over 40 years. In 1951, McKee became the third president of Overhead Door Corporation and continued as president of Overhead Door until his retirement in 1965.[63][157] McKee was also a past Indiana Governor of Kiwanis, and former President of the Hartford City chapter.[158] As a parent and community leader, McKee may have organized the first "after-prom".[158] In 1951, McKee grew concerned about the safety of local high school students, who typically “drove around” all night after the high school proms. His idea was to provide post-prom entertainment for the local Hartford City High School students, and therefore increase safety.[158] His idea proved popular with the students and numerous local civic groups including the Elks and American Legion, and after-prom activities continue to be popular today.[158]
  • Maurice Clifford Townsend was born August 11, 1884, on a small farm in Blackford County's Licking Township.[159] After graduating from college in Marion, Indiana, Townsend served as superintendent of Blackford County schools, superintendent of Grant County schools, and as a representative of the Blackford-Grant District in the Indiana General Assembly. Townsend was elected as Indiana's lieutenant governor in 1932. He won the 1936 election for governor, and served the single four-year term allowed by law.[159] After Townsend's public service in Indiana, he served in the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and worked in agriculture related offices. Townsend's legacy is directing school buses to be painted yellow for safety and identification purposes, an idea that spread nationwide.[160]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Origin of Indiana County Names". Indiana Historical Bureau. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  2. ^ "A Biography of Isaac Newton Blackford". Blackford County Historical Society. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  3. ^ Kane and Aiken, pp. 23–24.
  4. ^ Shockley, p. 38.
  5. ^ a b c "Blackford County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  6. ^ "Indiana Transportation Map 2009–2010" (PDF). Indiana Department of Transportation. 2009. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  7. ^ a b "State of Indiana 2011 Rail System Map" (PDF). Indiana Department of Transportation. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  8. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 114.
  9. ^ Shinn 1900, p. 222.
  10. ^ Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, p. 77.
  11. ^ a b A History of Blackford County..., pp. 17–18.
  12. ^ a b c Forstall, Richard L. (editor) (1996). Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 from the twenty-one decennial censuses. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division. pp. 50–53. ISBN 0-934213-48-8. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ a b Hamilton's National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Hartford City Courthouse Square District
  14. ^ Leonard and Walker's National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Montpelier Carnegie Library
  15. ^ The American Window Glass plant closed near the beginning of the Great Depression. Sneath Glass Company closed during the 1950s, and the Overhead Door plant was closed in 2000 after cutbacks during the 1980s. See Post Gas Boom section for more details.
  16. ^ a b 165.4 square miles multiplied by 640 acres per square mile is 105,856 acres in Blackford County. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service web site, 34 thousand acres of corn were planted in Blackford County in 2010, and 42.4 thousand acres of soybeans. 76,400 divided by 105,856 is 72.1 percent.
  17. ^ a b Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties..., p. 715.
  18. ^ "Godfroy Reserve". Indiana Historical Bureau. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  19. ^ Cecil E. Beeson, Sr., "Blackford County History", Blackford County Historical Society pamphlet.
  20. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 141.
  21. ^ United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records, transcribed to Genealogy Trails History Group web site.
  22. ^ a b Shinn 1900, p. 235.
  23. ^ a b A History of Blackford County..., p. 117.
  24. ^ "Blount" may have also been spelled "Blunt". A "John Blunt" is listed in the county land records.
  25. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 118.
  26. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 91.
  27. ^ Montgomery and Jay, p. 84.
  28. ^ Indiana State House of Representatives (1836), Twenty-First Session..., p. 118.
  29. ^ At least three sources say Blackford County began in 1837: Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties..., on page 724, Montgomery and Jay's History of Jay County..., on page 84, and Shinn 1900 on page 224.
  30. ^ Indiana State House of Representatives (1837), p. 346.
  31. ^ a b General Assembly of the State of Indiana, pp. 64–65.
  32. ^ Shockley, p. 38.
  33. ^ Monks, Esarey, and Shockley, pp. 564–565.
  34. ^ Shockley, pp. 38–39.
  35. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 14.
  36. ^ a b c d Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties..., pp. 759–760.
  37. ^ Goltra, p. 14.
  38. ^ The railroad changed ownership and names more than once, and was also known as the Lake Erie and Western Railroad, the Nickel Plate Road, and the Norfolk and Western Railway. The line is currently (2011) owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway. These names are discussed in A History of Blackford County..., pp. 18–19.
  39. ^ Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties..., pp. 759–760, 239–240.
  40. ^ a b A History of Blackford County..., p. 19.
  41. ^ "Norfolk Southern Railway Company—Abandonment Exemption—in Blackford County, IN". Surface Transportation Board. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  42. ^ "Indiana's Natural Gas Boom". The American Oil & Gas Historical Society. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  43. ^ Blatchley (Twenty-First Annual Report), pp. 71–72.
  44. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 90, quoting the November 19, 1895, edition of the Montpelier Herald.
  45. ^ New York Times, February 12, 1901 Special, p. 1.
  46. ^ Blatchley (Twentieth Annual Report), p. 405.
  47. ^ "Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties...", p. 761.
  48. ^ "Annual Report of the Department of Inspection...," p. 57 and 91.
  49. ^ Dale, pp. 120–121.
  50. ^ Beetem's National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Blackford County Courthouse
  51. ^ Tucker's "Twenty-Sixth Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Indiana", p. 250.
  52. ^ Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, pp. 59–63.
  53. ^ Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, pp. 42–45.
  54. ^ Glass, James A.; Kohrman, David (2005). The Gas Boom of East Central Indiana. Image of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. p. 91. ISBN 9780738539638. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
  55. ^ "Human Blowers Thing of the Past – Machines Replacing Skilled Trades and Obsolete Methods of Manufacture of Window Glass". Daily Times Gazette. 1908-04-13. By June 1 three fourths of the window glass plants now operating by the obsolete way with human blowers will be out of blast and by July all will be idle, many never to resume by the old plan.
  56. ^ Davis, Scott (2002-12-01). "East Central Indiana's Glass legacy". The Star Press (Muncie, Indiana). p. 4A.
  57. ^ The 1932 plant closing date is contradicted by two Blackford County Historical Society documents, which use 1929 as the closing date.
  58. ^ Hartford City Telegram, January 11, 1911.
  59. ^ "A Postoffice is Wiped Out". Hartford City Evening News. February 7, 1907.
  60. ^ *Greene, Dick (August 6, 1974). "Seen and Heard in Our Neighborhood". The Muncie Star. The automobile and improved roads affected Millgrove as it has many another community, making it easy for people to travel to larger communities, particularly to county seats, to do their trading. The need for local facilities declined as they became centralized in the more populous areas.
  61. ^ McIlwraith, Thomas F.; Muller, Edward K. (2001). North America: the Historical Geography of a Changing Continent. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 336. ISBN 9780742500198.
  62. ^ "What's Wrong At Sneath?". Hartford City News Times. 1952-10-02.
  63. ^ a b c d "Overhead Door Corporation". Funding Universe, using source of “International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 70. St. James Press, 2005.”. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  64. ^ "Plastics Plant to Close, Idling 200". McGraw-Hill Broadcasting Company. 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
  65. ^ Belz, Adam (June 1, 2011). "Farm boom leaves Main Street wanting". USA Today. p. 6A.
  66. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". Government of Indiana. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  67. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). Government of Indiana. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  68. ^ State of Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. "2010 Budget Order (Blackford County, Indiana)" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  69. ^ "County Government Departments and Offices". Blackford County. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  70. ^ "Duties". United Township Association of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  71. ^ "Government". United Township Association of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  72. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  73. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  74. ^ Mileages are highways miles between Hartford City and two of the largest cities in Indiana, and were retrieved from Mapquest.
  75. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  76. ^ A History of Blackford County..., pp. 8–9.
  77. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 10.
  78. ^ a b Shinn 1914, p. 36.
  79. ^ Garrigus, p. 13.
  80. ^ a b c A History of Blackford County..., p. 146.
  81. ^ "Indiana Lakes Listing" (PDF). State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-08-14.
  82. ^ United States Geological Survey. link "Geographic Names Information System: Lakes in Blackford County, Indiana". Retrieved 2011-08-14. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  83. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 123.
  84. ^ "Lake Blue Water Fishing in Blackford County, Indiana". Fishing Works. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  85. ^ Shinn 1900, p. 226.
  86. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 152.
  87. ^ Shinn 1900, p. 227, discusses the creation date.
  88. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 126, discusses the probability that the township was named after Andrew Jackson. Jackson completed his second term as president in 1837, only two years before Blackford County was created.
  89. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 90.
  90. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 130.
  91. ^ City of Dunkirk, Indiana. "Dunkirk Indiana". Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  92. ^ a b c d e Blackford County Historical Society's "Ghost Towns in Blackford County, Indiana".
  93. ^ a b United States Geological Survey. "Geographic Names Information System: Populated places in Blackford County, Indiana". Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  94. ^ All five of Blackford County’s unincorporated communities are shown in UniversalMAP’s Northern Indiana road map, purchased in 2009, and Indiana's digital state transportation map for 2009–2010.
  95. ^ a b c d e A History of Blackford County..., p. 17.
  96. ^ a b An 1876 Blackford County map in the David Rumsey Map Collection shows both Dorsey Station and Bowser Station.
  97. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 157.
  98. ^ "A Postoffice is Wiped Out," Hartford City Evening News, February 7, 1907. (The article's headline spelled "Post Office" as "Postoffice".)
  99. ^ A History of Blackford County..., pp. 155–156.
  100. ^ a b c STATS Indiana. "InDepth Profile: Blackford County, Indiana". Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University Kelly School of Business. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  101. ^ "Blackford Industrial Park". Blackford County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  102. ^ "Montpelier Industrial Park". Blackford County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  103. ^ a b c d "Blackford County Employers". Blackford County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  104. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 88.
  105. ^ STATS Indiana. "InDepth Profile: Delaware County, Indiana". Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University Kelly School of Business. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  106. ^ STATS Indiana. "InDepth Profile: Grant County, Indiana". Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University Kelly School of Business. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  107. ^ a b United States Department of Agriculture. "2007 Census of Agriculture, County Profile, Blackford County Indiana" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  108. ^ Blackford County's 165.4 square miles multiplied by 640 acres per square mile is 105,856 acres (42,838 ha). 84,626 acres (34,247 ha) of farmland divided by the county's total of 105,856 acres (42,838 ha) is 79.94 percent.
  109. ^ "State Road 3". Highway Explorer. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  110. ^ "State Road 18". Highway Explorer. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  111. ^ "State Road 26". Highway Explorer. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  112. ^ "State Road 167". Highway Explorer. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  113. ^ "Norfolk Southern Railway Company — Abandonment Exemption — in Blackford County, IN". Surface Transportation Board. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  114. ^ "Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis — Lease and Operation Exemption — Norfolk Southern Railway Company". Surface Transportation Board. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  115. ^ "Central Railroad of Indianapolis". RailAmerica. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  116. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Hartford City, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  117. ^ "Köppen Climate Classification for the Conterminous United States". Idaho State Climate Services. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  118. ^ a b c d "Climate fact sheet". Indiana State Climate Office. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
  119. ^ "Map of tornadoes in Blackford County" (PDF). National Weather Service. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  120. ^ "The Palm Sunday Story — Indiana and Michigan". National Weather Service. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  121. ^ "Indiana virtually paralyzed". Hartford City News-Times. January 26, 1978. Downtown Hartford City looked like a virtual Ghost Town as blizzard conditions made it almost impossible for vehicles other than snowmobiles to travel the highways.
  122. ^ "Death, power shortages, inconvenience hamper County". Hartford City News-Times. January 27, 1978. Last night even four wheel drive vehicles found the going rough as intense winds, sometimes gusting up to 45 mph, caused drifting snow to block highways and impede travel.
  123. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  124. ^ "DP-3. Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  125. ^ "DP-2. Profile of Selected Social Characteristics: 2000". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  126. ^ "Blackford County Schools". Blackford County School Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  127. ^ "Blackford County Schools — Overview". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  128. ^ a b A History of Blackford County..., p. 28.
  129. ^ A History of Blackford County..., pp. 28–29.
  130. ^ a b "Indiana Education Data for Blackford High School". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  131. ^ "Indiana Education Data for Blackford Junior High School". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  132. ^ "Indiana Education Data for Montpelier School". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  133. ^ "Indiana Education Data for Northside Elementary School". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  134. ^ "Indiana Education Data for Southside Elementary School". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  135. ^ "City-Data.com Hartford City, Indiana". Onboard Informatics. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  136. ^ "Taylor University – Area Info – Maps and Directions". Taylor University. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  137. ^ Leanard and Walker's National Register of Historic Places Registration: Montpelier Carnegie Library.
  138. ^ "Announcements and actions on properties for the National Register of Historic Places, July 6, 2007". New listings. National Park Service. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  139. ^ "Hartford City Public Library". Hartford City Public Library. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  140. ^ "Blackford County Historical Society". Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  141. ^ "History of IU Health Blackford". Indiana University Health. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  142. ^ A History of Blackford County..., p. 51.
  143. ^ Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties..., pp. 734–735.
  144. ^ "Hartford City News-Times Centennial Tabloid". Hartford City Evening News. December 30, 1985.
  145. ^ "Hartford City News-Times". Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  146. ^ "Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47: Telecommunication". United State Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  147. ^ "TV Query Results". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  148. ^ "AM Query Results". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  149. ^ "FM Query Results". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  150. ^ "Station Search Details – WMXQ". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  151. ^ "Station Search Details – WJCO". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  152. ^ "Blackford County, IN Internet Service Providers". Dex. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  153. ^ a b "Biographical Data, Kevin A. Ford (Colonel, USAF, Ret.), NASA Astronaut". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  154. ^ "Space shuttle Discovery launched after days of delays". Reuters. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  155. ^ Examples of patents are United States Patent Office No. 1,784,292, patented December 9, 1930,United States Patent Office No. 1,824,212, patented September 22, 1931, and United States Patent Office No. 2,026,291, patented December 31, 1935.
  156. ^ A History of Blackford County..., pp. 86–87.
  157. ^ "Securities and Exchange Commission News Digest" (PDF). Overhead Door Corp. files for secondary. (third page of PDF). Securities and Exchange Commission. March 30, 1964. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  158. ^ a b c d A History of Blackford County..., p. 63.
  159. ^ a b A History of Blackford County..., pp. 39–40.
  160. ^ "Indiana Governor Maurice Clifford Townsend (1884–1954)". IN.gov, Indiana Historical Bureau. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  161. ^ Hammel and Klingelhoffer, p. 212.
  162. ^ "Hall of Fame Induction 2006 – Spotlight on Erika Wicoff". CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2011-07-08.

References

40°28′N 85°19′W / 40.47°N 85.32°W / 40.47; -85.32

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