Washington County, Indiana#References

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Washington County

| state = Indiana

| seal = Washington County in seal.jpg

| founded = 1814

| seat wl = Salem

| largest city = Salem

| area_total_sq_mi = 516.60

| area_land_sq_mi = 513.72

| area_water_sq_mi = 2.87

| area percentage = 0.56%

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 28182

| pop_est_as_of = 2024

| population_est = 28345 {{gain}}

| pop_est_footnotes = {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/washingtoncountyindiana/PST045224|title=Washington County, Indiana|website=Census.gov|access-date= }}

| density_sq_mi = 55

| web = www.washingtoncounty.in.gov

| district = 9th

| ex image = Salem IN Courthouse.jpg

| ex image cap = Washington County courthouse in Salem

| footnotes = Indiana county number 88

| time zone = Eastern

| named for = George Washington

}}

Washington County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 28,182.{{Cite web |title=Washington County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Washington_County,_Indiana?g=050XX00US18175 |access-date=June 7, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The county seat (and the county's only incorporated city) is Salem.{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}} Washington County is part of the Louisville metropolitan area.

History

In 1787, the fledgling United States defined the Northwest Territory, which included the area of present-day Indiana. In 1800, Congress separated Ohio from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the Indiana Territory. President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the territory's first governor, and Vincennes was established as the territorial capital.{{Cite book |last=Brill, Marlene Targ |title=Indiana |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7614-2020-0 |page=35}} After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography.{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2008 |title=Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology |url=http://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/government-at-crossroads-an-indiana-chronology/article_3a07aa44-1cd4-5028-82e7-96b907121b31.html?mode=jqm |access-date=July 22, 2009 |website=The Herald Bulletin}}

In 1790, Knox County was laid out. In 1801, Clark County was established, and in 1808 Harrison County was laid out, including the territory of the future Washington County.

Starting in 1794, Native American titles to Indiana lands were extinguished by usurpation, purchase, or war and treaty. The United States acquired land from the Native Americans in the Treaty of Grouseland (1805), by which a large portion of the southern Indiana Territory became property of the government. This included the future Washington County. As early as 1802, a man named Frederick Royce lived among the Ox Indians at a place known as the Lick, two miles east of Salem and is probably the first white man to inhabit this county. He was a hunter-trader and salt manufacturer. In 1803, Thomas Hopper settled in this county near Hardinsburg. Washington County was created by act of the Territorial legislature dated December 21, 1813, taking territory from Harrison and Clark counties. Interim commissioners were named and directed to determine the proper choice of the seat of government. Accordingly, they began deliberating in January 1814, and by February 2 had selected an uninhabited site near the center, naming it 'Salem'.Stevens (1916). pp. 78, 81 In the territorial act creating the county, it was named for U.S. President George Washington,{{Cite book |last=De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle |url=https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog |title=An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana |publisher=R. S. Peale & Co. |year=1875 |location=Indiana |pages=[https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog/page/n587 575]}} who had died fourteen years earlier.

On September 1, 1814, the original boundary of Washington County was increased, by act of the Territorial legislature, but on December 26, 1815, much of this added territory was partitioned off to create Orange and Jackson counties.Stevens (1916). p. 79 In December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state. On January 12, 1820, the state partitioned a further portion of Washington County to create Scott County.Stevens (1916). p. 80 In 1842, and again in 1873, the border between Scott and Washington counties was adjusted.

In 1808, the first Black settlers arrived in the area along with white Quakers. In 1815 they established the Blue River Meeting House northeast of Salem.{{Cite web |title=The Historic Blue River Quaker Settlement in Salem Indiana |url=https://www.blueriverfriends.org/index.php/salem-indiana-quaker-settlement/about-blue-river-quakers-settlement |access-date=April 28, 2022}}{{Cite book |last=Thornbrough |first=Emma Lou |title=The Negro in Indiana: A Study of a Minority |publisher=Indiana Historical Bureau |year=1957 |location=Indianapolis}} By 1850, 252 Black people had settled in the county, mainly living in Posey and Washington townships. The passing into law in 1851 of a new state constitution, in which, Article 13 excluded further settlement of Black and mixed-race persons was indicative of increasing hostility towards this population and saw a decline in Black residents of the county to 187 by 1860. In Posey Township, the population of 90 Black people in 1850 had decreased to zero by 1860.

Whitecapping, the process by which rural citizens used threats or extralegal violence to force Black people out of the region, continued in Washington County during the Civil War. In December 1864, John Williams, a prosperous Black farmer in the county, was shot dead in the doorway of his home.{{Cite journal |last=Trueblood |first=Lillie D. |date=1934 |title=The Story of John Williams, Colored |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/27786657 |journal=Indiana Magazine of History |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=149–152 |issn=0019-6673 |jstor=27786657}} In 1867, Alexander White, an elderly man, was stabbed to death in Salem after repeatedly ignoring the threats of white attendees to quit coming to their church.{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1867 |title=Cold Blooded Murder in Salem |url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=DWE18670924.1.4&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- |access-date=April 28, 2022 |work=Terre Haute Daily Express}}Stevens (1916). p. 435 These lynchings convinced people the county was not safe and contributed to a continual exodus of Black people from the county.{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1957 |title='Pigeon Roost Massacre' Historical Event Told About Family of Mrs. Lewis, DAR Regent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29073942/ |work=The Victoria Advocate |location=Victoria, Texas |page=46 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=No Negroes were allowed to live in Washington County, but Beezon Baynes brought in a family and established them in a small house on the farm. However, the people in the community forced him to get rid of the family—so he sent them on to Canada.}}{{Cite book |last=Campney |first=Brent M.S. |title=Hostile Heartland: Racism, Repression, and Resistance in the Midwest |publisher=University of Illinois |year=2019 |isbn=978-0252042492 |location=Urbana}}{{Cite book |last=Loewen |first=James W. |title=Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism |publisher=New Press |year=2005 |isbn=9781565848870 |location=New York}} In 1870, 18 Black people remained in the county, and by 1880 only three remained.

Salem, the county seat, had become a sundown town by 1898 at the latest.{{Cite news |date=October 24, 1903 |title=Singular Isolation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29072301/ |work=The Evening Item |location=Richmond, Indiana |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=She had seen many Indians in the pioneer days, but until she reached this city had never seen any person of African descent, as negroes are not allowed to live in Washington county.}} By the 20th century the entire county was officially sundown.{{Cite news |date=October 24, 1903 |title=Removal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29072301/the-richmond-item/ |access-date=April 28, 2022 |work=Richmond Item |pages=10}} A county history from 1916 declared that, "Washington County has for several decades boasted that no colored man or woman lived within her borders."Stevens (1916). p. 282 Sundown signs existed in the county, with one located near Canton, east of Salem. Law enforcement would not allow Black people to stop in Salem, and would escort them to the county line.{{Cite web |title=History & Social Justice: Salem, Indiana |url=https://justice.tougaloo.edu/sundowntown/salem-in/ |access-date=April 28, 2022}} Washington County remained sundown until 1990 at the latest, when 15 Black people were recorded living in Salem on that year's census.

Geography

The low rolling hills of Washington County were tree-covered before settlement, but have been largely cleared and devoted to agriculture, although drainage areas are still wooded.{{Cite web |title=Washington County · Indiana |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Washington+County,+IN/@38.6191927,-86.086167,41127m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x886eac42d0b24b9d:0x79e6e469b1e5e9ba!8m2!3d38.6744747!4d-86.1751759 |website=Washington County · Indiana}} The north portion of the county is drained by the Muscatatuck River, which forms the eastern portion of the county's north border. The East Fork of the White River joins the Muscatatuck near the center of the county's north line. The south part of the county is drained by the Blue River, which rises in the county and flows southwestward into Harrison County on its way to the Ohio River. The highest point on the terrain ({{convert|1,050|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} ASL) is an isolated rise {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} NNW from New Philadelphia in the eastern part.{{Cite web |title=Washington County High Point - Peakbagger.com |url=https://peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=6545 |website=peakbagger.com}}

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|516.60|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|513.72|sqmi}} (or 99.44%) is land and {{convert|2.87|sqmi}} (or 0.56%) is water.

=Adjacent counties=

Jackson County − north
Scott County − northeast
Clark County − east
Floyd County − southeast
Harrison County − south
Crawford County − southwest
Orange County − west
Lawrence County − northwest

=Communities=

=City=

Salem

=Towns=

=Unincorporated communities=

=Townships=

=Transit=

Southern Indiana Transit System

=Major highways=

Climate and weather

{{climate chart

|Salem, Indiana

|21|39|3.33

|25|46|3.19

|33|56|4.29

|42|67|4.59

|51|76|4.86

|60|84|3.93

|64|87|4.39

|62|86|3.97

|55|79|3.06

|44|68|2.87

|36|55|3.90

|26|44|3.69

|float=right

|units=imperial

|clear=both

|source=The Weather Channel{{Cite web |title=Monthly Averages for Salem IN |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0591 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |publisher=The Weather Channel}}}}

In recent years, average temperatures in Salem have ranged from a low of {{convert|21|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|87|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-32|°F}} was recorded in February 1951 and a record high of {{convert|105|°F}} was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.87|in}} in October to {{convert|4.86|in}} in May.

Five people were reported killed in Washington County during the tornado outbreak of March 2–3, 2012.{{Cite web |title=Tornado Climatology of Washington County, Indiana |url=https://www.weather.gov/lmk/tornado_climatology_washingtonin |access-date=January 25, 2018 |publisher=National Weather Service}} Four were found dead in a home on Old Pekin Road according to Washington County officials.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}} The fifth, a 15-month-old from the same family, had been found in a field, and died later in hospital.{{Cite news |date=March 5, 2012 |title=US Tornadoes: Toddler Found in Field Dies After Coming off Life Support |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/05/us-tornadoes-toddler-field-dies |access-date=March 5, 2012 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1820= 9039

|1830= 13064

|1840= 15269

|1850= 17040

|1860= 17909

|1870= 18495

|1880= 18955

|1890= 18619

|1900= 19409

|1910= 17445

|1920= 16645

|1930= 16285

|1940= 17008

|1950= 16520

|1960= 17819

|1970= 19278

|1980= 21932

|1990= 23717

|2000= 27223

|2010= 28262

|2020= 28182

|estyear=2024

|estimate=28345

|align-fn=center

|footnote=US Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}
1790-1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900-1990{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}
1990-2000{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} 2010{{Cite web |title=Washington County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18175.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607092122/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18175.html |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=September 25, 2011 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html |access-date=April 2, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

}}

=2010 census=

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 28,262 people, 10,850 households, and 7,799 families in the county.{{Cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18175 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015624/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18175 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|55.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 12,220 housing units at an average density of {{convert|23.8|/sqmi}}.{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18175 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212202537/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18175 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} The racial makeup of the county was 98.1% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.2% were German, 14.3% were American, 13.7% were Irish, and 9.6% were English.{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18175 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003542/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18175 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}

Of the 10,850 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.1% were non-families, and 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $45,500. Males had a median income of $38,100 versus $28,092 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,278. About 12.2% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.{{Cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18175 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214002737/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18175 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}

Government

{{PresHead|place=Washington County, Indiana|whig=no|source1={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The legislative branch of the county government; controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They set salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council 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.{{Cite web |last=Indiana Code |author-link=Indiana Code |title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3 |url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html |access-date=September 16, 2008 |publisher=IN.gov}}{{Cite web |last=Indiana Code |title=Title 2, Article 10, Section 2 |url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227171739/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2004 |access-date=September 16, 2008 |publisher=IN.gov}}

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected county-wide, to staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute the acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.

Court: There are two judges in Washington County. The Judge of the Circuit Court is the Hon. Larry Medlock (R). The Judge of the Superior Court is the Hon. Dustin Houchin. (R). Case distribution is determined by local court rules. Each judge serves a six-year term.

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.

{{Infobox law enforcement agency

|agencyname = Washington County
Sheriff's Department

|patch =

|subdivtype = County (United States)

|subdivname = Washington

|divtype = State

|divname = Indiana

|country = United States

|legaljuris = opsjuris

|police = yes

|local = yes

|stations =

|lockuptype = Jail

|lockups =

|boats1 =

|chief1name = Claude Combs

|chief1position = Sheriff

|chief2name =

|chief2position =

}}

Washington County is part of Indiana's 9th congressional district and is represented in Congress by Republican Erin Houchin.

Education

The county is served by three school districts:{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18175_washington/DC20SD_C18175.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, IN|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|date=December 18, 2020|access-date=2025-06-05}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18175_washington/DC20SD_C18175_SD2MS.txt Text list]{{Cite web |last=Education |first=Indiana Department of |year=2009 |title=Indiana Public Superintendent Directory 2009 |url=http://www.doe.in.gov/publications/pdf_directory/Indiana_Public_School_Super_Dir_2009.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531021500/http://www.doe.in.gov/publications/pdf_directory/Indiana_Public_School_Super_Dir_2009.pdf |archive-date=May 31, 2009 |access-date=May 28, 2009}}

There is also South Central Area Special Ed.

East Washington School Corporation (Superintendent:Steve Darnell{{Cite web |last=Corporation |first=East Washington School |year=2009 |title=Central Office |url=http://www.ewsc.k12.in.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=66 |access-date=May 28, 2009}}) includes:{{Cite web |last=Corporation |first=East Washington School |year=2009 |title=Welcome to the EWSC |url=http://www.ewsc.k12.in.us/ |access-date=May 28, 2009}}

East Washington Elementary School
East Washington Middle School
Eastern High School

Salem Community Schools (Superintendent:Dr. D. Lynn Reed) includes:{{Cite web |last=Schools |first=Salem Community |year=2009 |title=:: Salem Community Schools :: |url=http://www.salemschools.com/ |access-date=May 28, 2009}})

Salem High School
Salem Middle School
Bradie Shrum Elementary School

West Washington School Corporation (Superintendent:Gerald Jackson) includes:{{Cite web |last=Corporation |first=West Washington School |title=West Washington School |url=http://www.wwcs.k12.in.us/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308104939/http://www.wwcs.k12.in.us/ |archive-date=March 8, 2008 |access-date=May 28, 2009}})

West Washington Elementary School
West Washington Junior/Senior High School

References

;Specific

;General

American Legion Pekin Post 203, The. History of Pekin, Indiana (1959). The American Legion Pekin Post 203
Everton Publishers, Inc, The. Handy book for Genealogists (1971). Everton Publishers, Inc.
History of Washington County 1884 (1884).
Indiana Historical Commission. Indiana History Bulletin (August 1924). Wm. B. Burford
B. F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana. Centennial History of Washington County, Indiana: Its People, Industries and Institution (1916). Warder W. Stevens [https://books.google.com/books?id=rk80AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA77 Centennial History of Washington County, Indiana: Its People, Industries and Institutions : with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families]