Chalmers, Indiana
Town of Chalmers, Indiana | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Chalmers | |
 Location in the state of Indiana | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | White |
| Township | Big Creek |
| Platted | 1873 |
| Incorporated | 1892 |
| Founded by | Gardner Mudge |
| Government | |
| • Type | Community |
| • President | Marcus King |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) |
| • Land | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 712 ft (217 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 508 |
| • Estimate (2012[3]) | 505 |
| • Density | 2,032.0/sq mi (784.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 47929 |
| Area code | Area code 219 |
| FIPS code | 18-11944Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 0432383Template:GR |
| Website | chalmers.in.gov |
Chalmers is a town in Big Creek Township, White County, Indiana, United States. The population was 508 at the 2010 census.
History
The history of Chalmers dates back to the early 1850s. Land was donated by Gardner Mudge to the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway in 1854 after the company constructed a rail line through Big Creek in 1853. Mudge and his brother-in-law operated a general store. On April 21, 1854, a Post Office was established with Mudge serving as the postmaster.
- Chalmers was platted on July 24, 1873; it included 103 lots on six streets. Several homes and stores were erected, and a school was constructed in the early 1870s. The first church was organized in 1878, and a tile factory was erected in the same year. The Bank of Chalmers was established by Jacob Raub in the early 1890s with a capital of $10,000. Chalmers became an incorporated town in 1892. "The Ledger" served as the first community newspaper, published initially in 1893. In 1895, a train station which later became a symbol of the town's history was constructed.
The village was originally known by many as "Mudge's Station," after Gardner Mudge. However, the depot was demolished in 1976. The name "Chalmers" was listed on railroad timetables of New Albany and Salem as early as 1856. By 1912, Chalmers had approximately 600 residents. It consisted of two grain elevators, a factory, fifteen stores, two banks, two livery barns, three blacksmith shops, a lumber yard, two hotels, two garages, and dozens of homes.
The railroad which passes through Chalmers is still in use today and is operated by CSX Transportation.[4][5]
Geography
Chalmers is located at 40°39′45″N 86°52′3″W / 40.66250°N 86.86750°W (40.662576, -86.867605)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.25 square miles (0.65 km2), all of it land.[1]
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 508 people, 203 households, and 137 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,032.0 inhabitants per square mile (784.6/km2). There were 226 housing units at an average density of 904.0 per square mile (349.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.0% White, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.
There were 203 households of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.07.
The median age in the town was 40.1 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 27.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 census
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 513 people, 185 households, and 133 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,055.7 people per square mile (792.3/km²). There were 190 housing units at an average density of 761.4 per square mile (293.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.61% White, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 185 households out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,591, and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $21,518 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,258. About 5.4% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Chalmers has a community-operated government and is managed by a small town council. The board consists of a president and a few additional council members. Public meetings are conducted regularly at the town hall. Current officials include:
- Marcus King (President)
- Patrick Pool
- Doug Barnard
- Clark Gick
These elected officials serve four-year terms.[6]
Education
Preschool
The Discovering H.A.N.D.S. Preschool is a nonprofit ministry of a local Christian church, Chalmers Community Church. It operates out of the church facility. H.A.N.D.S. stands for "Hearts and Attitudes are Nurtured while Discovering the Savior."[7]
Primary and secondary
Frontier School Corporation, a public school system, is located in Downtown Chalmers. Its single secondary school, Frontier Jr./Sr. High School, was formed to replace the former Chalmers High School as well as the schools in Brookston. Most Chalmers students are enrolled at the high school. Elementary-level children attend the primary school of the same corporation in Brookston, Frontier Elementary School. With the results of the 2012-2013 school year, Frontier has been honored as an "A" school corporation by the Indiana Department of Education.[8]
Arts and culture
Chalmers is a small community known to have cheerful hospitality.[9]
Chalmers Community Day
For years, an annual festival known as Chalmers Community Day has occurred each summer. It includes a pancake breakfast and a pork dinner, hosted by the volunteer fire department. A car show often takes place at the Downtown square and a motorcycle show at Chalmers Community Park.[9] Many residents conduct garage sales and yard sales at their homes during this event, giving it the nickname "Garage Sale Day." Outsiders, most of which are from the surrounding towns and cities, visit the town to attend this annual event.
Parks and recreation
Chalmers Community Park
In the town is an outdoor complex called Chalmers Community Park,[10] which features several recreational points of interest. It is a common location for seasonal sports competitions and everyday outdoor activities. The park is located on an alley with parking space.
Activities
A playground includes various swings, slides, see-saws, a merry-go-round, and other climbing structures. The complex also includes two fenced softball fields, one multi-use (soccer) field, a beach-style volleyball court, and horseshoe tossing pits.
Buildings
The park has a pavilion shelter, which includes a snack bar, charcoal grills, trash cans, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain. A small building contains separate male and female restrooms.
Trails
In the park is a network of connected walking trails. Overall, the walking park consists of 3,500 feet of trail. Originally chip seal, the town recently invested in asphalt surfacing. The park allows pets and encourages dog walking on these trails. Along the trails are several rest areas which include sitting benches, trash cans, and community-planted flowers. From the trails, one can see to the horizon over the surrounding farmland.
Management
The complex is maintained by a community management board. Current members include:[10]
- David Kurth
- Marc King
- Betty King
- Shirley Farmer
- Mark Doyle
- Kim Doyle
- Bendy Martin
See also
Further reading
- Hamelle, W.H. (ed.) (1915). A Standard History of White County Indiana: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country. Chicago and New York: Lewis Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
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References
- ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
- ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
- ^ "Chalmers Town History". Retrieved 2013-05-28.
- ^ Thomas Kepshire. "Chalmers Indiana". Retrieved 2013-05-28.
- ^ Chalmers, Indiana Town Council. "Town Council of Chalmers, Indiana". Retrieved 2013-05-27.
- ^ "Discovering H.A.N.D.S. Preschool". Retrieved 2013-06-15.
- ^ "IDOE Accountability". IDOE.in.gov. Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
- ^ a b White County Tourism Authority. "Enjoy White County". Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ^ a b Chalmers, Indiana Park Board. "Parks & Trails in Chalmers, Indiana". Retrieved 2013-05-27.
Municipalities and communities of White County, Indiana, United States | ||
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| Other unincorporated communities | ||