Hymera, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Hymera is a town in and the principal center of Jackson Township
, Sullivan County
, Indiana
, United States
. The population was 801 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 833 people, 331 households, and 228 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,184.5 people per square mile (459.5/km²). There were 389 housing units at an average density of 553.1 per square mile (214.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.40% White, 0.24% Native American, and 0.36% from two or more races.
There were 331 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,938, and the median income for a family was $34,091. Males had a median income of $28,850 versus $16,369 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,113. About 13.7% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
(grades 7-12) located in Farmersburg, Indiana
.
, and the Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area.
times, the area was settled by the Methodists for the Bethel Church
. A log building once stood within the limits of the present town, where the early settlers assembled for religious worship. On Busseron Creek was a grist mill erected about 1829. On the westside was one of the first coal mines of the county; it was owned by H. K. and Harvey Wilson. The coal was used chiefly by local blacksmith
s.
Hymera was plat
ted as a townsite
about 1870.
Robert Linn had a general store
on the site now occupied by the Odd Fellows
block. For some years the store and post office
, and two or three shops, comprised the business of the place.
When the post office was established the name Pittsburg was selected by the local community, in honor of William Pitt
who owned the land on which Hymera was founded. However, the name was not accepted by the department.
The origin of the name Hymera is credited to John Badders, who was postmaster
. He had an adopted daughter, Mary, who was tall.
The change of name for the village was accomplished in 1890. In April of that year a petition from nearly all the voters of Pittsburg was laid before the county commissioners asking that the name of the town as recorded on the plat be changed to Hymera. A short time previously, on the opening of the new mine at Alum Cave, the new town laid out there was called New Pittsburg, while the Hymera community in distinction was referred to as Old Pittsburg. The resulting confusion brought about the change in name. About this time a branch line of railroad reached up to the coal mines in the vicinity, which led to tremendous growth. In 1902 Hymera was incorporated into a town. That July the first election for town officers was held.
One of the memorable days in the history of Hymera was the celebration in October 1904, known as Mitchell Day, in honor of John Mitchell
, the president of the United Mine Workers of America. The crowd in town was estimated at over seven-thousand. A delegation met Mitchell at Terre Haute, Indiana
, and the local procession was made up of the K. of P. Band, labor organizations, and school children. The ceremonies of the day centered about the unveiling of a monument to Nathan Hinkle, the Revolutionary soldier
who was buried in the Hymera Cemetery. Hon. James S. Barcus, a great-grandson of Hinkle, delivered an address, and Miss Mamie Asbury, a great-granddaughter, assisted in the unveiling. The monument is fifteen feet high, representing a Revolutionary soldier at parade rest. The other events of the day were held in the Zink Grove, where speeches were made by Rev. A. P. Asbury and Robert W. Miers and John C. Chaney, and the principal address of the afternoon was delivered by Mitchell himself.
In the fall of 1905 Mitchell was reported to have said that Hymera was the neatest mining town in the United States, with more and better sidewalks according to its size than any town in the county, and many improvements indicating a progressive spirit among the citizens.
At the time, there were five church organization, the Methodist, Baptist
, Presbyterian, United Brethren
and Christian
, the first two having good buildings, while the Presbyterians and U. B. were preparing to build. A five room school building had proved inadequate, and a four room addition was added in the summer of 1905. The Hymera State Bank, which had been organized in December 1903, as the Bank of Hymera, by S. M. Patton and R. I. Ladd, was reorganized as a state bank in January 1906, with Mr. Ladd as President and Mr. Patton, Cashier.
Jackson Township, Sullivan County, Indiana
Jackson Township is one of nine townships in Sullivan County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,720.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Jackson Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Adjacent townships:* Pierson Township, Vigo...
, Sullivan County
Sullivan County, Indiana
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1940. As of 2010, the population was 21,475. The county seat is Sullivan. Sullivan County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana,...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 801 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 833 people, 331 households, and 228 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,184.5 people per square mile (459.5/km²). There were 389 housing units at an average density of 553.1 per square mile (214.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.40% White, 0.24% Native American, and 0.36% from two or more races.
There were 331 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,938, and the median income for a family was $34,091. Males had a median income of $28,850 versus $16,369 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $13,113. About 13.7% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
Students from Hymera attend Hymera Elementary school (grades K-6), and North Central High SchoolNorth Central High School (Farmersburg, Indiana)
-Background:North Central jr/sr high school is a jr./sr. high school on the outskirts of Farmersburg, Indiana. The school celebrated its 50th year of service in 2007-08...
(grades 7-12) located in Farmersburg, Indiana
Farmersburg, Indiana
Farmersburg is a town in Curry Township, Sullivan County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,118 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Local Attractions
The primary local attractions are Shakamak State ParkShakamak State Park
ShakamakDesignationState ParkLocationIndiana USANearest CitiesJasonville, IndianaCoordinatesArea Date of Establishment1929Governing BodyIndiana DNR...
, and the Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area.
History
During pioneerAmerican pioneer
American pioneers are any of the people in American history who migrated west to join in settling and developing new areas. The term especially refers to those who were going to settle any territory which had previously not been settled or developed by European or American society, although the...
times, the area was settled by the Methodists for the Bethel Church
Bethel Church
Bethel Church, also called Bethel Interdenominational Church, is a Christian religious organization based in Mansfield Woodhouse, England, founded by John Hibbert and Jean Spademan. It has a sister church, King's Chapel, in Norwich, Connecticut...
. A log building once stood within the limits of the present town, where the early settlers assembled for religious worship. On Busseron Creek was a grist mill erected about 1829. On the westside was one of the first coal mines of the county; it was owned by H. K. and Harvey Wilson. The coal was used chiefly by local blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
s.
Hymera was plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted as a townsite
Townsite
A townsite is a legal subdivision of land for the development of a town or community. In the historical development of the United States, Canada, and other former British colonial nations, the filing of a townsite plat or plan was often the first legal act in the establishment of a new town or...
about 1870.
Robert Linn had a general store
General store
A general store, general merchandise store, or village shop is a rural or small town store that carries a general line of merchandise. It carries a broad selection of merchandise, sometimes in a small space, where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to purchase all their general...
on the site now occupied by the Odd Fellows
Odd Fellows
Odd Fellows is a name broadly referring to any of a large number of friendly societies, fraternal and service organizations and/or Lodges.-Societies using the name "Odd Fellows" or variations:...
block. For some years the store and post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
, and two or three shops, comprised the business of the place.
When the post office was established the name Pittsburg was selected by the local community, in honor of William Pitt
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC was a British Whig statesman who led Britain during the Seven Years' War...
who owned the land on which Hymera was founded. However, the name was not accepted by the department.
The origin of the name Hymera is credited to John Badders, who was postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
. He had an adopted daughter, Mary, who was tall.
The change of name for the village was accomplished in 1890. In April of that year a petition from nearly all the voters of Pittsburg was laid before the county commissioners asking that the name of the town as recorded on the plat be changed to Hymera. A short time previously, on the opening of the new mine at Alum Cave, the new town laid out there was called New Pittsburg, while the Hymera community in distinction was referred to as Old Pittsburg. The resulting confusion brought about the change in name. About this time a branch line of railroad reached up to the coal mines in the vicinity, which led to tremendous growth. In 1902 Hymera was incorporated into a town. That July the first election for town officers was held.
One of the memorable days in the history of Hymera was the celebration in October 1904, known as Mitchell Day, in honor of John Mitchell
John Mitchell (United Mine Workers)
John Mitchell was a United States labor leader and president of the United Mine Workers of America from 1898 to 1908....
, the president of the United Mine Workers of America. The crowd in town was estimated at over seven-thousand. A delegation met Mitchell at Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
, and the local procession was made up of the K. of P. Band, labor organizations, and school children. The ceremonies of the day centered about the unveiling of a monument to Nathan Hinkle, the Revolutionary soldier
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
who was buried in the Hymera Cemetery. Hon. James S. Barcus, a great-grandson of Hinkle, delivered an address, and Miss Mamie Asbury, a great-granddaughter, assisted in the unveiling. The monument is fifteen feet high, representing a Revolutionary soldier at parade rest. The other events of the day were held in the Zink Grove, where speeches were made by Rev. A. P. Asbury and Robert W. Miers and John C. Chaney, and the principal address of the afternoon was delivered by Mitchell himself.
In the fall of 1905 Mitchell was reported to have said that Hymera was the neatest mining town in the United States, with more and better sidewalks according to its size than any town in the county, and many improvements indicating a progressive spirit among the citizens.
At the time, there were five church organization, the Methodist, Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
, Presbyterian, United Brethren
United Brethren
United Brethren may refer to:*Apostolic United Brethren, a Mormon fundamentalist group headquartered in Bluffdale, Utah*Church of the United Brethren in Christ, an evangelical Christian denomination based in Huntington, Indiana...
and Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, the first two having good buildings, while the Presbyterians and U. B. were preparing to build. A five room school building had proved inadequate, and a four room addition was added in the summer of 1905. The Hymera State Bank, which had been organized in December 1903, as the Bank of Hymera, by S. M. Patton and R. I. Ladd, was reorganized as a state bank in January 1906, with Mr. Ladd as President and Mr. Patton, Cashier.