Toto, Indiana

Coordinates: 41°15′33″N 86°41′54″W / 41.25917°N 86.69833°W / 41.25917; -86.69833
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Toto, Indiana
Depot in Toto, 1915
Depot in Toto, 1915
Toto is located in Indiana
Toto
Toto
Toto is located in the United States
Toto
Toto
Coordinates: 41°15′33″N 86°41′54″W / 41.25917°N 86.69833°W / 41.25917; -86.69833
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyStarke
TownshipCenter
Elevation709 ft (216 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
46534
Area code574
GNIS feature ID444820[1]

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

History[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ a b c 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.