Hartford City, Indiana

Early history

Main article: History of Hartford City, Indiana

Hartford City, Indiana began in the late 1830s as a few log cabins clustered near a creek. Folklore taught in local elementary schools suggests that Hartford City was originally known as "Hart's ford," a place to cross Lick Creek. The name evolved to Hartford, and eventually to Hartford City. (This was to avoid confusion with another Hartford in the state.)

The community was designated as the county seat of Blackford County when that county was created in 1837, and it was incorporated in 1867. During the last half of the 19th century, East Central Indiana consisted mostly of rural farming communities, including Hartford City. The town's population did not exceed 2,000 until after 1887, when the region began to grow because of the Indiana Gas Boom.

Hartford City's population tripled in the next decade, as manufacturers were lured to the region to take advantage of low costs for land and the natural gas. Hartford City benefited from railroad service from two railroads in addition to a natural gas supply that was thought to be unlimited. Manufacturers such as Hartford City Glass Company, Sneath Glass Company, Hartford City Paper, Utility Paper, and Willman Lumber all located or began in Hartford City during the 1890s. Although the supply of natural gas was soon exhausted, many of these businesses continued to operate into the 1950s and beyond. Hartford City leaders attracted businesses such as Overhead Door (1923) and 3M (1955) to replace the glass factories as major employers in the city.

Geography

Hartford City sits on top of former natural gas fields. The area also has limestone formed from silt and mud deposits of an ancient sea. The land is flat from the effect of a prehistoric glacier, and the soil is excellent for farming. According to the 2010 census, Hartford City has a total area of 3.901 sqmi, of which 3.88 sqmi (or 99.46%) is land and 0.021 sqmi (or 0.54%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:indiana 3.svg|20px]] Indiana State Road 3
• [[Image:indiana 26.svg|20px]] Indiana State Road 26
• [[Image:I-69.svg|20px]] Interstate 69 (less than 10 mi west of city)

Adjacent cities

• Upland − about 8 highway miles west
• Montpelier − about 12 highway miles northeast
• Dunkirk − about 14 highway miles southeast
• Muncie − about 19 highway miles south
• Marion − about 23 highway miles northwest

Climate

Hartford City has a typical Midwestern humid continental seasonal climate. There are four distinct seasons, with winters being cold with moderate snowfall, while summers can be warm and humid. The highest average temperature is in July at 84 °F, while the lowest average temperature is in January at 18 °F. However, summer temperatures can top 90 °F, and winter temperatures can drop below 0 °F. Average monthly precipitation ranges from about 2 to, with the heaviest occurring during June, July, and August. The highest recorded temperature was 104 °F on June 29, 2012, and the lowest recorded temperature was -26.0 °F on January 19, 1994.

| Jan record high F = 65 | Feb record high F = 73 | Mar record high F = 85 | Apr record high F = 87 | May record high F = 94 | Jun record high F = 104 | Jul record high F = 102 | Aug record high F = 98 | Sep record high F = 97 | Oct record high F = 91 | Nov record high F = 79 | Dec record high F = 71 | year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 56.1 |Feb avg record high F = 59.4 |Mar avg record high F = 70.9 |Apr avg record high F = 80.1 |May avg record high F = 87.3 |Jun avg record high F = 91.7 |Jul avg record high F = 92.6 |Aug avg record high F = 90.8 |Sep avg record high F = 89.3 |Oct avg record high F = 83.0 |Nov avg record high F = 69.6 |Dec avg record high F = 59.1 |year avg record high F = 93.8

|Jan avg record low F = -4.6 |Feb avg record low F = -0.2 |Mar avg record low F = 11.6 |Apr avg record low F = 24.9 |May avg record low F = 36.2 |Jun avg record low F = 47.4 |Jul avg record low F = 52.7 |Aug avg record low F = 50.3 |Sep avg record low F = 40.5 |Oct avg record low F = 29.1 |Nov avg record low F = 18.2 |Dec avg record low F = 5.1 |year avg record low F = -7.0

| Jan record low F = -26 | Feb record low F = -17 | Mar record low F = -10 | Apr record low F = 8 | May record low F = 26 | Jun record low F = 37 | Jul record low F = 45 | Aug record low F = 35 | Sep record low F = 29 | Oct record low F = 19 | Nov record low F = 3 | Dec record low F = -22 | year record low F = |access-date = November 17, 2023}}{{cite web |access-date = November 17, 2023}}

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 6,220 people, 2,666 households, and 1,691 families in the city. The population density was 1603.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,158 housing units at an average density of 813.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.3% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 2,666 households, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.6% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 41.3 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 6,928 people, 2,918 households, and 1,943 families in the city. The population density was 1861.7 PD/sqmi. There were 3,156 housing units at an average density of 848.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.34% White, 0.09% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.

There were 2,918 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.

The city population contained 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,531, and the median income for a family was $39,654. Males had a median income of $29,257 versus $20,600 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,596. About 7.3% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

About 11 percent of Hartford City's male workers, and 9 percent of female workers, are employed in the transportation equipment industry. This makes the transportation equipment industry the most important provider of jobs for the city, although there are no auto parts plants located in the county. The decline of the auto industry has forced Hartford City to be less of a "bedroom community" reliant on jobs relating to automobile parts manufacturing in nearby cities, and more focused on developing businesses within the city. Currently, there are six businesses located in Hartford City that employ between 100 and 350 people, and none with more than 350 employees. Those six companies (in descending order of employees) are 3M Company, Petoskey Plastic, BRC Rubber Group, Inc., Blackford Community Hospital, and New Indy Paper Mill. In addition, there are nearly twenty more local entities with 25 to 100 employees. Agriculture also influences the town. Although they do not live in the city limits, farm families are involved with the local schools, parks, and social activities – and are consumers of the products of local merchants.

Culture

Recreation

Sports and recreation are important to the community. The city Parks Department maintains four parks and a public swimming pool. There are four golf courses within 10 mi from Hartford City, and ten more are within 20 mi. The city has some small lakes and reservoirs available for fishing, such as Lake Placid and the lakes of the nearby Shamrock Lakes area. A larger lake (over 2600 acre) is (Salamonie Lake), with boating, fishing, and swimming, is located 29 miles (47 km) northwest of Hartford City. State Parks nearby include Ouabache, Mounds, and Summit Lake. For those willing to drive north for about 90 minutes, Pokagon State Park is located on Lake James and Snow Lake. This park features campgrounds, hiking trails, a beach, the Potawatomi Inn, and a toboggan track.

Hartford City sports leagues include baseball, softball, soccer, and football. Indiana is known for its high school basketball, and Hartford City high schools have had their share of success in the state basketball tournament. Hartford City High School won 14 sectional and 3 regional tournaments in about 60 years of action. Hartford City High was consolidated into Blackford High School in 1969, and Blackford has won 10 sectionals. The Blackford High School gym seats 4,000 for a town with a population of less than 7,000. Hartford City's Blackford High School football team has also had some tournament success, winning the Indiana state 2A football championship in 1974-75 and 1979-80 – both teams were undefeated.

Agriculture

Agriculture has a strong influence on Hartford City's culture. The main crops in the area are soybeans and corn. Some wheat and hay are also grown. The Indiana Farm Bureau office for Blackford County is located in Hartford City. 4-H, a youth organization associated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a strong presence. The annual county 4-H fair is held in June, and features a rodeo, horse show, dog show, livestock, and carnival. The week-long event includes a mile-long parade with a marching band.

Government

The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in citywide vote. The city council consists of five members with four elected from individual districts and one elected at-large. The current members of city council are:

• Tony Scaggs (R, AL)
• Michael Wolfe (R, 1st)
• Dustin George (R, 2nd)
• Ron Parrott (R, 3rd)
• Ron Dudelston (R, 4th)

Religion

The United Methodist Church is the city's largest congregation; other churches include Catholic, Church of the Nazarene, Christian, Lutheran, Wesleyan, Baptist, and Presbyterian. The Methodists, and then the Presbyterians, were the first to build churches in town. The First Presbyterian Church and the Christian Church buildings were built during the Gas Boom in the 1890s.

Media

The local daily (except Sunday) newspaper is the News Times, and it is also available from its web site. Hartford City has a history of difficulty supporting two newspapers, and the News Times can trace its lineage back to the Hartford City News and the Hartford City Times. During the Gas Boom, the town had two weekly and two daily newspapers: Hartford City Telegram, The Hartford City Times, Hartford City Evening News, and The Daily Times.

There are at least fourteen radio stations that send moderate to very strong signals to the Hartford City area. These stations are typically located nearby, or they have an exceptional signal, such as Fort Wayne's 50,000 watt WOWO AM station. The two local radio stations are WMXQ and WHCI, both FM stations.

Indianapolis television stations such as WTTV, WRTV, WISH-TV, WTHR, and others, reach the antennas of households in Hartford City. Stations located near Hartford City include Tipton's WJSJ-CD, Marion's WSOT-LD, and Muncie's WIPB.

Education

The state of Indiana has many college options available, including well-known universities such as Ball State University, Indiana University, Purdue, and Notre Dame. The state also has one of the largest private boarding high schools, the Culver Academies.

Higher education

Hartford City has at least four universities located within 21 mi of town. Ball State University is the largest and most well known, and is about 18 mi away in Muncie, Indiana. (Ball State is named for the Ball brothers, who made much of their fortune with the Ball Corporation in the same Indiana Gas Boom that boosted Hartford City.) Muncie is also home to Ivy Tech State College-East Central. Private school Indiana Wesleyan University is about 21 mi away, in Marion, Indiana. Another private school, Taylor University, is about 7 mi away in Upland. Its location in Upland dates from 1893, attributed to the population boom in the area at the time, and is another example of the impact of the Indiana Gas Boom.

Primary and secondary schools

Transportation

Hartford City's early transportation advantage came from the two railroad lines that crossed in the city, running north–south and east–west. The east–west line is now out of service as of 2008, but the north–south line is still in service. Both are operated by Norfolk Southern. Hartford City also has a good highway system. Indiana State Road 3 runs north–south through the city, known as Walnut Street. Indiana State Road 26 runs east–west through the city, known as Washington Street. Indiana State Road 22 used to run concurrently with State Road 26 through Hartford City, but that segment was decommissioned in the 1970s. Although Interstate 69 does not run through Hartford City or Blackford County, it is less than 10 mi away and a convenient way to drive to Fort Wayne or Indianapolis. From Hartford City, drive west on State Road 26 to reach Interstate 69. Driving north from Indianapolis, the State Road 26 exit is number 255. The Interstate's northbound exit 259, at Upland, is an easy route to travel to the north side of Hartford City. Some small airports are located near Hartford City, and larger airports in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis offer commercial flights.

Notable people

• Edward Everett Cox, newspaper publisher
• Henry Crimmel, glassmaker
• Larry Monroe, radio personality
• Jay H. Neff, newspaper publisher and Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri from 1904 - 1906.
• George Washington Steele, U.S. representative from Indiana.
• Wayne Townsend, member of the Indiana Senate.
• Cheryl Willman, cancer researcher and executive director of Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• Kevin A. Ford, retired United States Air Force Colonel and NASA astronaut.
• Edwin H. Ford, founder of the Ford Meter Box Company and inventor of the meter box.
• Maurice Clifford Townsend, Indiana governor

Notes

References

References

1. [http://www.hartfordcity.net/mayors-office/ Mayors office]
2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. "US Census website". US Census Bureau.
4. {{GNIS. 2394309
5. link
6. [[English, Indiana]] was named Hartford from 1839 until 1884.
7. {{Cite EB1911
8. ''Hartford City Illustrated: A Publication Devoted to the City's Best Interests and Containing Half Tone Engravings of Prominent Factories, Business Blocks, Residences, and a Selection of Representative Commercial and Professional Men and Women.'' [S.l.]: Daulton & Scott, 1896.
9. See pages 289-293 of Moore's Hoosier Cyclopedia. See also the entire 1895 report of the Indiana Department of Geology and Natural Resources, especially pages 12, 14, 17, and 20. [https://books.google.com/books?id=CAZwAAAAMAAJ&q=Moore%E2%80%99s+Hoosier+Cyclopedia Moore's]
10. "Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". US Census Bureau.
11. (1922). "History of Indiana: From Its Exploration to 1922". Dayton Historical Publishing Co..
12. (1872). "The Statistics of the Population of the United States". Government Printing Office.
13. "Hartford City Demographic Statistics". Indiana Demographics by Cubit.
14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
15. "US Census website". US Census Bureau.
16. See "City-Data.com" web site for Hartford City. [http://www.city-data.com/city/Hartford-City-Indiana.html Data]
17. See Chicago Tribune article "Midwest auto industry". [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-midwest-auto-demiseapr12,0,5569855.story Auto Industry]
18. See "Manta" web site. [http://www.manta.com/mb_51_ALL_5EQ/hartford_city_in?sort=employeesd HC Employers]
19. See the web-posted "National Register of Historical Places Registration Nomination Form for the Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District". [http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/files/hartfordcity_nr.pdf Historic] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-10-10)
20. See "National Register of Historical Places" web site. [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/IN/Blackford/state.html National Register]
21. See the "Blackford County Historical Society" web site. [http://www.bchs-in.org/ Society]
22. See the Hartford City Public Library web site. [http://www.hcpubliclibrary.com/about%20us.htm Library] {{Webarchive. link. (11 July 2011)
23. link. (23 July 2011)
24. link. (2012-06-16)
25. See Salamonie Lake web site. [http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/sal/ Lake] {{webarchive. link
26. See Indiana Outfitters web site for area parks and lakes. [http://www.indianaoutfitters.com/statemap.html Parks] See also Pokagon State Park web site. [http://www.stateparks.com/pokagon.html Pokagon]
27. See Indiana High School tournament history web site. [http://tnyhistory.homestead.com/files/boystnyteams.htm Tournament]
28. See Indiana High School Athletic Association web site. [http://www.ihsaa.org/b-football_frame.htm Football] {{webarchive. link
29. See Indiana CropMAP for Blackford County. [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropmap/indiana/counties/blackford.html Crops] {{Webarchive. link. (2008-05-12)
30. "Common Council".
31. See City-Data.com web site for Hartford City. [http://www.city-data.com/city/Hartford-City-Indiana.html Data]
32. See Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties..., p. 745.
33. News Times web site link: [http://www.hartfordcitynewstimes.com NewsTimes.]
34. See Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, pp. 734-737, for a discussion of the Hartford City press in the 1800s. See the IN.gov web site for listing of the state's collection of Blackford County newspapers. [http://www.in.gov/library/2818.htm Newspapers] {{Webarchive. link. (2009-04-24 See also Hartford City Illustrated for the four newspapers in 1895.)
35. See Radio Locator web site for Hartford City area. [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=47348&state=&x=0&y=0 Radio]
36. See Radio Locator web site for WOWO broadcast area. [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WOWO&service=AM&status=L&hours=D Area]
37. link. (2018-12-26)
38. See Taylor University web site. [http://www.taylor.edu/about/heritage.shtml Taylor] {{Webarchive. link
39. See Blackford County Schools web site. [http://www.bcs.k12.in.us/ Schools]
40. See Private School Review web site. [http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/10441 Private] {{Webarchive. link
41. See Indiana DOT railroad web site. (5 MB PDF) [http://www.in.gov/indot/files/MAIN-RR-08.PDF Railroads] {{Webarchive. link. (2009-03-17 Hartford City is in north-east-central Indiana.)
42. link. (2011-10-07)
43. Maurice Clifford Townsend died in Hartford City.