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City of Connersville, Indiana
—  City  —
Fayette County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Connersville Highlighted
Location in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 39°39′14″N 85°08′16″W / 39.65389, -85.13778Coordinates: 39°39′14″N 85°08′16″W / 39.65389, -85.13778
Country United States
State Indiana
County Fayette
Government
 • Mayor Leonard E. Urban (R)
Area[1]
 • Total 7.77 sq mi (20.12 km2)
 • Land 7.75 sq mi (20.07 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation 823 ft (251 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 13,481
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 13,335
 • Density 1,739.5/sq mi (671.6/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 47331
Area code(s) 765
FIPS code 18-14932[4]
GNIS feature ID 0432888[5]
Website http://www.connersvillein.gov

Connersville is a city in Fayette County, east central Indiana, United States, 66 miles east by southeast of Indianapolis. The population was 13,481 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of and the largest and only incorporated town in Fayette County.[6]

Geography[]

Connersville is located at 39°39′14″N 85°8′16″W / 39.65389, -85.13778 (39.653931, -85.137709).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.77 square miles (20.12 km2), of which 7.75 square miles (20.07 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[1]

History[]

Connersville is named for settler John Conner, older brother of William Conner, an early Indiana settler and politician. John Conner laid out the town on the west fork of the Whitewater River in 1813 around what had been a fur trading post for several years. The boundary lines for Fayette County were established in 1818, and Connersville was chosen as the county seat. The first post office in Connersville opened in January, 1818.[8] The first courthouse was started in 1819 and finished in 1822.[9] Connersville served as an important link on the Whitewater Canal.[10]

In the early 20th century, the town became known as "Little Detroit" because of its importance to the automobile industry. Automobiles manufactured in Connersville include Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg, Ansted, Empire, Lexington and McFarlan. The Willys MB Jeep body was manufactured in Connersville during the 1940s.

The Roots blower was invented in Connersville and manufactured in Connersville for many years.

Elmhurst, an estate south of town on St. Rd. 121, was the home of Caleb Blood Smith, who served in Abraham Lincoln's cabinet. It also serves as the site of an annual re-enactment of the American Civil War.[11]

The Connersville High School Spartans boys' basketball team won the state tournament in 1972 and 1983. The girls' gymnastics team won state in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

In 1999 there was a high rate of dental caries (cavities) among the population of Connersville. At the time it had a 20% higher cavity rate than the Indiana average, and it was the largest Indiana city without fluoridation of the water. There was a movement to add fluoride to the water, and this generated controversy. Up until that year there were two unsuccessful previous campaigns to add fluoride to the water.[12]

MusicFest[]

The Heritage MusicFest takes place in June at a campground by the Whitewater River. Local bands ranging in style from bluegrass to rock perform. The Connersville/Fayette County Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event, which began in 2005.

First public high school band[]

During the school year 1906-07, Dr. W. Otto Miessner established the first public high school band in the U.S. at Connersville High School.[13]

Demographics[]

Connersville-indiana-from-above

Connersville from the air, looking west. The Whitewater River is in the foreground, and Roberts Park Grandstand and Race Track are at the bottom right. The Park is home to the Fayette County Free Fair, one of the last free fairs remaining in the state.

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1840 596
1850 1,396 134.2%
1860 2,119 51.8%
1870 2,496 17.8%
1880 3,228 29.3%
1890 4,548 40.9%
1900 6,836 50.3%
1910 7,738 13.2%
1920 9,901 28.0%
1930 12,795 29.2%
1940 12,898 0.8%
1950 15,550 20.6%
1960 17,698 13.8%
1970 17,604 −0.5%
1980 17,023 −3.3%
1990 15,550 −8.7%
2000 15,411 −0.9%
2010 13,481 −12.5%
Source: US Census Bureau

2010 census[]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 13,481 people, 5,582 households, and 3,506 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,739.5 inhabitants per square mile (671.6 /km2). There were 6,450 housing units at an average density of 832.3 per square mile (321.4 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 2.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 5,582 households of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 31.6% 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 2.37 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census[]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 15,411 people, 6,382 households, and 4,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,894.5 people per square mile (731.9/km²). There were 6,974 housing units at an average density of 857.3/sq mi (331.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.10% White, 2.48% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.

There were 6,382 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.6% 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 2.34, and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,911, and the median income for a family was $40,833. Males had a median income of $31,239 versus $21,836 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,839. About 7.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation[]

Airport[]

Mettel Field is a private aviation airport located three nautical miles (6 km) north of the central business district of Connersville. There is no commercial service. It is owned by the Connersville Board of Aviation Commissioners.[14]

Railroad[]

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Connersville.

Amtrak Train 51, the westbound Cardinal, is scheduled to depart Connersville at 3:05 a.m. on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with a service to Indianapolis, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer, Dyer and Chicago Union Station.

Amtrak Train 50, the eastbound Cardinal, is scheduled to depart Connersville at 1:26 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with a service to Cincinnati, Maysville, South Portsmouth, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Montgomery, Thurmond, Prince, Hinton, Alderson, White Sulphur Springs, Clifton Forge, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria and Washington, DC, and continuing on to New York City.

Media[]

Connersville has a daily newspaper called The News Examiner.

Radio station WIFE-AM 1580 also operates with local programming. For many years Connersville simulcast AM/FM WCNB/WIFE radio. The FM which was located at 100.3 was sold to Radio One Communications for $18 million in 2006 and re-located to Cincinnati, Ohio. There is now a WIFE-FM radio station (94.3), whose tower is located in Rush County, Indiana. The AM station is now WLPK.

Connersville High School's daily TV news program, CHS Today, was the first student-produced TV news program in the United States.[15] It began in 1970 with presenters Dennis Sullivan and Ron Stevens. At first, it was broadcast only to the school via closed-circuit TV. Later it expanded; it now airs live at 11:00 a.m. weekdays to the community and re-airs twice in the evening at 6:45 & 10:45pm via TV3 on local cable.

Notable people[]

Elmhurst at Connersville

Elmhurst mansion in Connersville, built in 1831

  • Robert Wise, one of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors and producers, graduated from Connersville High School in 1932. The CHS auditorium, the Robert E. Wise Center for Performing Arts], was named in his honor.[16] Wise is known for his direction of "The Sound of Music" and "West Side Story".
  • Sean Compton, Tribune Company President and former Clear Channel radio talent and executive, graduated from Connersville High School in 1992.
  • Phil Cox, 1972 Indiana Mr. Basketball, 1972 Graduate of Connersville High School, and member of 1972 Indiana High School basketball champions.[17][18]
  • Howard Garns, creator of the logic game Sudoku, was born in Connersville on March 2, 1905.
  • Finly H. Gray was a US Congressman elected to represent Indiana's 6th and 10th Districts in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1911 to 1917 and 1933 to 1939. He also served as Mayor of Connersville from 1904 to 1910. Gray is buried in Dale Cemetery, located on Gray Road in Connersville.
  • Scott Halberstadt, television actor, was born in Connersville in 1976 and graduated from Connersville High School in 1994.
  • Tom T. Hall, country singer and Grand Ole Opry member, spent time in Connersville early in his career and wrote "Thank You, Connersville" about the experience.
  • Hanna Hilton, adult actress, graduated from Connersville High School in 2004
  • April McDivitt, 1999 Indiana Miss Basketball and four-time Academic All-American, is a graduate of Connersville High School. McDivitt now serves as the women's director at Champions Academy.[19]
  • Matt Howard, a three-time Academic All-American starting forward for Butler University's men's basketball team, is a graduate of Connersville High School.[20] He played in the 2010 and 2011 NCAA Championship games.[21] In February 2011 Howard was selected as the top Academic All-American in the University category (chosen from all twelve Academic All-America teams, including football).[22]
  • James N. Huston, Treasurer of the United States 1889-91
  • Carol J. Pereyra, founder of Going Bonkers Magazine, raised in Connersville, Indiana and attended middle school and high school.[23]
  • Betsy Ross, former ESPN anchor, graduate of Connersville High School, now freelance broadcaster/emcee in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • Caleb Blood Smith was a Congressman and the Secretary of the Interior in the Lincoln administration. He was the second occupant of the Elmhurst mansion.
  • Oliver H. Smith was a Congressman and Senator. He built the Elmhurst mansion at the south edge of Connersville in 1831.
  • Greg Stotelmyer, is currently the "Voice of the Colonels" for the Eastern Kentucky University's men's basketball and football teams. He also works for WTVQ news station of Richmond, KY, and has received four Emmy awards for A Year on Kentucky's Backroads (2003), He Loves to Beat People (2005), The Avon Lady (2007), and Marina's Story (2008)[24]
  • Joey Sturgis, music producer, focusing mainly on metalcore bands. Clients include Attila, The Devil Wears Prada, MyChildren MyBride, Asking Alexandria, and Miss May I.
  • Dan Toler, rock musician with the Allman Brothers Band and Gregg Allman Band (died 2013)
  • Tony Wilson, horror author, was born in Connersville in 1977 and graduated from CHS in 1995. You can view of list of his work on his Amazon Author Page.[25]

See also[]

  • Whitewater Valley Railroad
  • Whitewater Canal

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Places: Indiana". 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_18.txt. Retrieved 2012-04-21. 
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml. Retrieved 2012-12-11. 
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html. Retrieved 2013-06-25. 
  4. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  8. ^ History of Fayette County, Indiana: Containing a History of the Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.. Warner, Beers and Company. 1885. pp. 96. http://books.google.com/books?id=5ULWAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA96#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
  9. ^ Chamber of Commer history of Connersville
  10. ^ Hunter, David (Oct 1, 2003). Shifra Stein's Day Trips from Cincinnati: Getaways Less Than Two Hours Away. Globe Pequot. pp. 4. http://books.google.com/books?id=Xs4LAJdUqlUC&lpg=PA4&ots=qI6Ek60eJq&dq=connersville's%20heydey%20was%20as%20the%20chief%20community%20along%20the%20old%20whitewater%20canal&pg=PA4#v=onepage&q=connersville's%20heydey%20was%20as%20the%20chief%20community%20along%20the%20old%20whitewater%20canal&f=false. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
  11. ^ http://newsexaminer.com/articles/2013/04/20/local_news/doc5171e8a8e8588171937093.txt
  12. ^ "Despite Evidence Of High Cavity Rate, Town Battles As Fluoridation Vote Nears." Chicago Tribune. November 1, 1999. Retrieved on March 9, 2014.
  13. ^ http://fayette.k12.in.us/chs/fame/meissner.html
  14. ^ FAA Airport Master Record for CEV (Form 5010 PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Effective May 31, 2012.
  15. ^ http://fayettein.chs.schooldesk.net/Community/CHSHallofFame/tabid/11545/ctl/view/itemid/15063/Default.aspx
  16. ^ http://fayettein.chs.schooldesk.net/Community/CHSHallofFame/tabid/11545/ctl/view/itemid/15060/Default.aspx
  17. ^ http://fayettein.chs.schooldesk.net/Community/CHSHallofFame/PhilCox/tabid/11554/Default.aspx
  18. ^ http://fayettein.chs.schooldesk.net/Community/CHSHallofFame/tabid/11545/ctl/view/itemid/15064/Default.aspx?returnurl=http://fayettein.chs.schooldesk.net/Community/CHSHallofFame/tabid/11545/Default.aspx
  19. ^ http://www.championsacademy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=59
  20. ^ http://fayettein.chs.schooldesk.net/Community/CHSHallofFame/tabid/11545/ctl/view/itemid/15119/Default.aspx
  21. ^ http://www.butlersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/howard_matt00.html
  22. ^ "Matt Howard of Butler, Austin Meier of MSOE lead Capital One Academic All-America® Men's Basketball Teams". College Sports Information Directors of America. 2011-02-22. http://cosida.com/news.aspx?id=3101. Retrieved 2011-03-23. 
  23. ^ http://gbonkers.com
  24. ^ http://www.wtvq.com/news/70-greg-stotelmyer.pdf
  25. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Tony-Wilson/e/B0057ZXTQU/

External links[]


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Connersville, Indiana. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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