Mauckport, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Mauckport is a town in Heth Township
, Harrison County
, Indiana
, along the Ohio River
. The population was 81 at the 2010 census.
and his brothers, most notably Squire Boone
, were regularly in the area of Mauckport. Squire Boone settled in the area in 1806. Squire Boone's remains are just north of Mauckport in the Squire Boone Caverns
.
The Mauckport area's earliest permanent settlers came from the Shenandoah Valley
and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
. The town was named after the Maucks, a German
immigrant family who first settled in that area. The town itself is built upon land granted to John Peter Mauck in an 1811 land grant. It was his son, Fredrick Mauck, who filed the original plat for the town on May 7, 1827, the town was called Mauck's Port. The original town had three streets running north to south and 4 streets running east to west. The original town was divided into 107 lots.
The first road from the state capital to the Ohio River
, the region's central means of transportation, was built 1809 connecting the river at Mauckport with Corydon, Indiana
.
It was John Peter Mauck who started the state's first ferry, a raft and tow line crossing to from Mauckport to Brandenburg, Kentucky
on the opposite side of the river. It was operating at least as early as 1808. In the early days of the state it was considered the best means of entering the region by immigrants. In the earliest days packetboats hauled timber and farm products from the port to other stops along the river. Very early after the development of the steam ship the town had a wharf and was a frequent stop for steam ships and river barges. This was due to it being the closest river port to the original state capital of Corydon, Indiana
.
In 1847 the citizens of the town filed a petition to change the name of Mauckport to New Market. The petition was granted and it remained New Market until 1850 when it was changed back to Mauckport because of another New Market post office in Indiana. The town was first incorporated in 1853.
Mauckport was the site of a small skirmish in July 1863 during "Morgan's Raid
" in the American Civil War
. Mauckport was where Morgan and his men, aided by the citizens of neighboring Brandenburg, Kentucky
, crossed the Ohio River
to start his raid in earnest. When he first attempted to cross he was confronted by a small group of men from the Harrison County Legion firing artillery from the shore and armed men aboard the river boat Lady Pike. When Morgan returned fire with his own artillery the home guard quickly retreated back toward Corydon leaving Mauckport undefended. Upon landing his army on the east side of Mauckport Morgan burnt the steam boat Alice Dean. The citizen of Mauckport, having plenty of forewarning, abandoned the town and fled to the west until Morgan's army passed.
In 1900 the Ohio River
froze solid during the winter destroying the town's ships. In 1905 the river froze solid again, this time destroying the town's wharf. This began the decline of the town, who's importance had been declining since the civil war.
The first car arrived in Mauckport in 1913, a "Maxwell" car, owned by Daniel Baker Beanblossom.
During the Ohio River flood of 1937
, Mauckport was decimated. The largest part of the town was destroyed, leading to the majority of the population abandoning it. The Mauckport High School was discontinued in 1950 and in 1957, its use as an elementary school was also discontinued. The building was razed in 1958. Other factors contributing the decline of the towns population include the rise of the railroad which led to less dependence on river for transportation of goods and people.
According to the US Decennial Census, the population of Mauckport peaked in 1900 with a population of 290. It then decreased significantly to 209 by 1930, and then rapidly declined following the 1937 flood to 154 in the 1940 census.
Today, Mauckport is the site of the Matthew E. Welsh Bridge
built in 1966, the only bridge crossing the Ohio River
between New Albany, Indiana
and Tell City, Indiana
. Formerly a toll bridge, it is of through truss design and provides a vital link between Harrison County, Indiana
and Meade County, Kentucky
. Frederick Mauck is buried in an unmarked grave near the same bridge.
The oldest house in Mauckport now is owned by Mrs. Myrtle Fisher. It was built in 1850 by James H. Miller and is located on Back Street
The town still celebrates "Mauckport Days" every spring with a parade, and weekend of activities, bazaar style booths, and competitions. It is attended by most of the townships residents and many from neighboring Washington and Posey Townships.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), of which, 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (13.33%) is water.
of 2000, there were 83 people, 40 households, and 22 families residing in the town. The population density
was 610.8 people per square mile (228.9/km²). There were 44 housing units at an average density of 323.8 per square mile (121.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.39% White, 2.41% from other races
, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population.
There were 40 households out of which 15.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.0% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.59.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 42.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $36,964, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,946. There were 20.0% of families and 18.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Heth Township, Harrison County, Indiana
Heth Township is one of twelve townships in Harrison County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,199.-History:The township was named for Harvey Heth, the man who surveyed much of Southern Indiana...
, Harrison County
Harrison County, Indiana
Harrison County is a county located in the far southern part of the U.S. state of Indiana along the Ohio River. It is divided into twelve townships, and the county seat is Corydon, the former capital of Indiana. The county is part of the larger Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan...
, 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...
, along the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. The population was 81 at the 2010 census.
History
In the earliest times Daniel BooneDaniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
and his brothers, most notably Squire Boone
Squire Boone
Squire Boone Jr. was an American pioneer and brother of Daniel Boone. In 1780, he founded the first settlement in Shelby County, Kentucky. The tenth of eleven children, Squire Boone was born to Nathan "Squire" Boone Sr. and his wife Sarah Boone in Berks County, Pennsylvania at the Daniel Boone...
, were regularly in the area of Mauckport. Squire Boone settled in the area in 1806. Squire Boone's remains are just north of Mauckport in the Squire Boone Caverns
Squire Boone Caverns
Squire Boone Caverns and Village is a cavern exploration attraction in Mauckport, Indiana . The park consists of a one-hour walking tour into the caverns, as well as a working pioneer village and grist mill.-Park's History:...
.
The Mauckport area's earliest permanent settlers came from the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
. The town was named after the Maucks, a German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
immigrant family who first settled in that area. The town itself is built upon land granted to John Peter Mauck in an 1811 land grant. It was his son, Fredrick Mauck, who filed the original plat for the town on May 7, 1827, the town was called Mauck's Port. The original town had three streets running north to south and 4 streets running east to west. The original town was divided into 107 lots.
The first road from the state capital to the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
, the region's central means of transportation, was built 1809 connecting the river at Mauckport with Corydon, Indiana
Corydon, Indiana
Corydon is a town in Harrison Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States, founded in 1808, and is known as Indiana's First State Capital. After Vincennes, Corydon was the second capital of the Indiana Territory from May 1, 1813, until December 11, 1816. After statehood, the town was the...
.
It was John Peter Mauck who started the state's first ferry, a raft and tow line crossing to from Mauckport to Brandenburg, Kentucky
Brandenburg, Kentucky
Brandenburg is a city in Meade County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,049 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Meade County.-History:...
on the opposite side of the river. It was operating at least as early as 1808. In the early days of the state it was considered the best means of entering the region by immigrants. In the earliest days packetboats hauled timber and farm products from the port to other stops along the river. Very early after the development of the steam ship the town had a wharf and was a frequent stop for steam ships and river barges. This was due to it being the closest river port to the original state capital of Corydon, Indiana
Corydon, Indiana
Corydon is a town in Harrison Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States, founded in 1808, and is known as Indiana's First State Capital. After Vincennes, Corydon was the second capital of the Indiana Territory from May 1, 1813, until December 11, 1816. After statehood, the town was the...
.
In 1847 the citizens of the town filed a petition to change the name of Mauckport to New Market. The petition was granted and it remained New Market until 1850 when it was changed back to Mauckport because of another New Market post office in Indiana. The town was first incorporated in 1853.
Mauckport was the site of a small skirmish in July 1863 during "Morgan's Raid
Morgan's Raid
Morgan's Raid was a highly publicized incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Northern states of Indiana and Ohio during the American Civil War. The raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig. Gen...
" in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Mauckport was where Morgan and his men, aided by the citizens of neighboring Brandenburg, Kentucky
Brandenburg, Kentucky
Brandenburg is a city in Meade County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,049 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Meade County.-History:...
, crossed the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
to start his raid in earnest. When he first attempted to cross he was confronted by a small group of men from the Harrison County Legion firing artillery from the shore and armed men aboard the river boat Lady Pike. When Morgan returned fire with his own artillery the home guard quickly retreated back toward Corydon leaving Mauckport undefended. Upon landing his army on the east side of Mauckport Morgan burnt the steam boat Alice Dean. The citizen of Mauckport, having plenty of forewarning, abandoned the town and fled to the west until Morgan's army passed.
In 1900 the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
froze solid during the winter destroying the town's ships. In 1905 the river froze solid again, this time destroying the town's wharf. This began the decline of the town, who's importance had been declining since the civil war.
The first car arrived in Mauckport in 1913, a "Maxwell" car, owned by Daniel Baker Beanblossom.
During the Ohio River flood of 1937
Ohio River flood of 1937
The Ohio River flood of 1937 took place in late January and February 1937. With damage stretching from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, one million persons were left homeless, with 385 dead and property losses reaching $500 million...
, Mauckport was decimated. The largest part of the town was destroyed, leading to the majority of the population abandoning it. The Mauckport High School was discontinued in 1950 and in 1957, its use as an elementary school was also discontinued. The building was razed in 1958. Other factors contributing the decline of the towns population include the rise of the railroad which led to less dependence on river for transportation of goods and people.
According to the US Decennial Census, the population of Mauckport peaked in 1900 with a population of 290. It then decreased significantly to 209 by 1930, and then rapidly declined following the 1937 flood to 154 in the 1940 census.
Today, Mauckport is the site of the Matthew E. Welsh Bridge
Matthew E. Welsh Bridge
Matthew E. Welsh Bridge is a two-lane, single-deck continuous truss bridge on the Ohio River. The bridge connects Kentucky Route 79 and Indiana State Road 135, as well as the communities of Brandenburg, Kentucky and Mauckport, Indiana....
built in 1966, the only bridge crossing the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
between New Albany, Indiana
New Albany, Indiana
New Albany is a city in Floyd County, Indiana, United States, situated along the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Kentucky. In 1900, 20,628 people lived in New Albany; in 1910, 20,629; in 1920, 22,992; and in 1940, 25,414. The population was 36,372 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of...
and Tell City, Indiana
Tell City, Indiana
Tell City is a city in Troy Township, Perry County, Indiana, along the Ohio River, Indiana's southern border. The population was 7,272 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Perry County.-History:...
. Formerly a toll bridge, it is of through truss design and provides a vital link between Harrison County, Indiana
Harrison County, Indiana
Harrison County is a county located in the far southern part of the U.S. state of Indiana along the Ohio River. It is divided into twelve townships, and the county seat is Corydon, the former capital of Indiana. The county is part of the larger Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan...
and Meade County, Kentucky
Meade County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,349 people, 9,470 households, and 7,396 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,293 housing units at an average density of...
. Frederick Mauck is buried in an unmarked grave near the same bridge.
The oldest house in Mauckport now is owned by Mrs. Myrtle Fisher. It was built in 1850 by James H. Miller and is located on Back Street
The town still celebrates "Mauckport Days" every spring with a parade, and weekend of activities, bazaar style booths, and competitions. It is attended by most of the townships residents and many from neighboring Washington and Posey Townships.
Geography
Mauckport is located at 38°1′25"N 86°12′7"W (38.023486, -86.202038).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), of which, 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (13.33%) is water.
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 83 people, 40 households, and 22 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 610.8 people per square mile (228.9/km²). There were 44 housing units at an average density of 323.8 per square mile (121.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.39% White, 2.41% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population.
There were 40 households out of which 15.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% 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, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.0% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.59.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 42.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $36,964, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $20,313 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 $15,946. There were 20.0% of families and 18.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.