Montpelier, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Montpelier m is an American
city in Blackford County
, Indiana
. This small rural community, the county’s first to be plat
ted, was established by settler
s from Vermont
, and is named after Vermont’s capital city – Montpelier
.
Montpelier was a central participant in the Indiana Gas Boom
, as natural gas was discovered near the community in 1887. More importantly, the county’s first successful oil well was drilled on the south side of Montpelier in 1890. The town’s population quickly grew from 808 in 1890 to about 6,500 by 1896. The Gas Boom, mostly an oil boom for Montpelier, gradually ended during the first decade of the 20th century.
Like many boom towns, the city’s population has never matched that of the boom years. The city’s population was 1,805 at the 2010 census. However, the city’s population stabilized many decades ago, and the community has multiple industries and an active community association. Montpelier is located near the former Godfroy Indian Reservation
, and a statue of former Chief Francis Godfroy is featured prominently in the downtown district.
moved to East Central Indiana
, and settled on the high ground on the south side of the Salamonie River
. Abel Baldwin, a veteran of the War of 1812
, was the leader of this group of Vermont natives. They named their community Montpelier
, after the capital of their original home state. Baldwin and his son-in-law, civil engineer John Cook, surveyed the area in 1836, and it was plat
ted on September 5, 1837. The original plat had 16 blocks
with a total of 154 lots.
At the time Montpelier was settled, it was part of Jay County
. The western portion of Jay County was split away in 1838 to form Blackford County. Montpelier was not the first community
in what would become Blackford County – a village named Matamoras existed earlier. However, Montpelier was platted first, and Matamoras was essentially a ghost town after the 1880s.
1870 was a good year for Montpelier. Beginning in September, the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad connected Fort Wayne
with Muncie, Indiana
, and Montpelier was (and still is) on this line. With dramatically improved transportation for the community, Montpelier became incorporated as a town at the end of 1870. By that time, the town had grown to a population of 231.
was discovered in Blackford County, and the area began its participation in the Indiana Gas Boom
. While natural gas was found throughout Blackford County, crude oil
was found mostly in the county’s Harrison Township
, which includes Montpelier. Blackford County's first successful oil well, located just south of Montpelier, began producing during 1890. Montpelier was thought to be "the very heart of the greatest natural gas and oil field in the world". By the mid-1890s, about two thirds of Harrison Township (25 square miles) was considered part of an oil-producing region. Montpelier became a city where “money and whiskey flowed frequently”, and numerous other “recreational activities” were available. Oil production from the Trenton Gas and Oil Field surrounding Montpelier began decreasing during the first decade of the 20th Century, and the Gas Boom (or Montpelier’s oil boom) gradually came to an end. Montpelier began a return to “normalcy”, and its population (like many boom towns) has never exceeded its Gas Boom peak.
, without being followed. It was later determined, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
, that the robbers were John Dillinger
and the Dillinger Gang.
and Northern Indiana
. Future Northern Indiana
, including what became Harrison Township and Montpelier, was flattened by two glacier
s millions of years ago. These glaciers are also responsible for the rich Blackford County farmland, which includes the land surrounding Montpelier.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, Montpelier has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land. Located in the Harrison Township
portion of Blackford County, Indiana
, Montpelier is adjacent to the Salamonie River. It is located 40 miles (64.4 km) south of Fort Wayne, Indiana
, and 75 miles (120.7 km) northeast of Indianapolis
.
humid continental
seasonal climate. There are four distinct seasons, with winters being cold with moderate snow
fall, while summers can be warm and humid. The highest average temperature is in July at 84 °F (29 °C), while the lowest average temperature is in January at 18 °F (−8 °C). However, summer temperatures can top 90 °F (32 °C), and winter temperatures can drop below 0 °F (−17 °C). Average monthly precipitation ranges from about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm), with the heaviest occurring during June, July, and August. The highest recorded temperature was 103.0 °F (39.0 °C) on June 26, 1988, and the lowest recorded temperature was −26.0 °F (−32.0 °C) on January 19, 1994.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 1,929 people, 802 households, and 539 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,757.9 people per square mile (677.1/km²). There were 897 housing units at an average density of 817.4 per square mile (314.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.46% White, 0.10% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.16% from other races
, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.
There were 802 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples
living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,175, and the median income for a family was $38,804. Males had a median income of $29,152 versus $21,402 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,076. About 6.6% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
. The city also has some manufacturing establishments, and its major businesses provide employment for over 400 people. These businesses include Emhart-Gripco, Smith Consulting, Indiana Veneer, BRC Rubber & Plastics, Indiana Box, and others. Montpelier also has a 50-acre industrial park.
The Public Library of Montpelier and Harrison Township was built in 1907 and 1908. The building was made possible by a donation of $10,000 from philanthropist (and former business magnate
) Andrew Carnegie
. Built in the Classical Revival
style of architecture, this building (under the historical name of Montpelier Carnegie Library) was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 2007. It is one of only three individual buildings in Blackford County listed in the National Register
. (The county also has a Historic District
.)
Montpelier’s First Baptist Church was founded by Franklin Baldwin, brother of the leader of Montpelier’s first settlers, Abel Baldwin. The congregation was organized in 1838. The present church building, located in downtown Montpelier, was constructed in 1907 and 1908. The building has been remodeled since that time.
High School basketball is very popular in Indiana
, and Montpelier has been a strong participant. Despite its smaller size, Montpelier High School won five sectional basketball tournament championships. After a high school consolidation, Montpelier students began attending Blackford High School – and Blackford has won ten sectional championships. Additional sporting activities in Montpelier include Little League baseball, Tee Ball
, and softball
. Golfing, camping, and fishing are also available nearby.
The Montpelier Jamboree is an annual celebration that was first held in 1945. This Labor Day
weekend celebration features musical acts, a Jamboree Queen contest, and other activities.
The former Godfroy Reservation, an Indian reservation
for Chief Francis Godfroy and Miami Indians from 1827 until 1836, is located on the Salamonie River near Montpelier. (Francis is the English pronunciation of Godfroy’s real name Francois. The Indian pronunciation of Francois was Palonzwa.) Godfroy’s father was French, and his mother was from the Miami tribe. A big man at six feet tall and 300 pounds, Godfroy was the last war chief of the Miami Nation. A stature of Francis Godfroy is located in downtown Montpelier.
and Taylor University
, are located not more than 30 miles (48.3 km) from Montpelier.
The Norfolk Southern Railway
provides freight railroad service connecting Montpelier to Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. This railroad, known as the Lake Erie and Western Railroad
in the 1890s during the Gas Boom, was very important for the growth of Montpelier. Indiana Highway 18 runs through Montpelier, and Interstate 69 is 14 miles (22.5 km) west. The nearest airport with commercial flights is located 40 miles (64.4 km) north in Fort Wayne.
astronaut Kevin A. Ford
is one of Montpelier’s most notable former residents. A graduate of the local Blackford High School, Ford holds academic degree
s from University of Notre Dame
, Troy State University
, University of Florida
, and the Air Force Institute of Technology
. Ford retired from active duty as a colonel
in the United States Air Force
in 2008. Ford was the pilot for the Space Shuttle Discovery
during its August 2009 flight. He has logged over 332 hours in outer space
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
city in Blackford County
Blackford County, Indiana
Blackford County is located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Indiana. The county is named for Judge Isaac Blackford, who was the first speaker of the Indiana General Assembly and a long-time chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Created in 1838, Blackford County is divided...
, 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...
. This small rural community, the county’s first to be 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, was established by settler
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
s from Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, and is named after Vermont’s capital city – Montpelier
Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier is a city in the U.S. state of Vermont that serves as the state capital and the shire town of Washington County. As the capital of Vermont, Montpelier is the site of the Vermont State House, seat of the legislative branch of Vermont government. The population was 7,855 at the 2010...
.
Montpelier was a central participant in the Indiana Gas Boom
Indiana Gas Boom
The Indiana Gas Boom was a period of active drilling and production of natural gas in the Trenton Gas Field, in the US state of Indiana and the adjacent northwest part of Ohio The boom began in the early 1880s and lasted into the early twentieth century....
, as natural gas was discovered near the community in 1887. More importantly, the county’s first successful oil well was drilled on the south side of Montpelier in 1890. The town’s population quickly grew from 808 in 1890 to about 6,500 by 1896. The Gas Boom, mostly an oil boom for Montpelier, gradually ended during the first decade of the 20th century.
Like many boom towns, the city’s population has never matched that of the boom years. The city’s population was 1,805 at the 2010 census. However, the city’s population stabilized many decades ago, and the community has multiple industries and an active community association. Montpelier is located near the former Godfroy Indian Reservation
Indian reservation
An American Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs...
, and a statue of former Chief Francis Godfroy is featured prominently in the downtown district.
History
In 1836 and 1837, several groups of settlers from VermontVermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
moved to East Central Indiana
East Central Indiana
East Central Indiana is a region in Indiana east of Indianapolis, Indiana, and borders the Ohio state line.- Counties :*Blackford*Delaware*Hancock*Henry*Jay*Madison*Randolph*Wayne- County seats :*Anderson, Indiana-Madison...
, and settled on the high ground on the south side of the Salamonie River
Salamonie River
The Salamonie River is a tributary of the Wabash River, long, in eastern Indiana in the United States. Via the Wabash and Ohio rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River...
. Abel Baldwin, a veteran of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, was the leader of this group of Vermont natives. They named their community Montpelier
Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier is a city in the U.S. state of Vermont that serves as the state capital and the shire town of Washington County. As the capital of Vermont, Montpelier is the site of the Vermont State House, seat of the legislative branch of Vermont government. The population was 7,855 at the 2010...
, after the capital of their original home state. Baldwin and his son-in-law, civil engineer John Cook, surveyed the area in 1836, and it 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 on September 5, 1837. The original plat had 16 blocks
City block
A city block, urban block or simply block is a central element of urban planning and urban design. A city block is the smallest area that is surrounded by streets. City blocks are the space for buildings within the street pattern of a city, they form the basic unit of a city's urban fabric...
with a total of 154 lots.
At the time Montpelier was settled, it was part of Jay County
Jay County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,806 people, 8,405 households, and 6,017 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile . There were 9,074 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
. The western portion of Jay County was split away in 1838 to form Blackford County. Montpelier was not the first community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
in what would become Blackford County – a village named Matamoras existed earlier. However, Montpelier was platted first, and Matamoras was essentially a ghost town after the 1880s.
1870 was a good year for Montpelier. Beginning in September, the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad connected Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
with Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
, and Montpelier was (and still is) on this line. With dramatically improved transportation for the community, Montpelier became incorporated as a town at the end of 1870. By that time, the town had grown to a population of 231.
Gas Boom
In 1887, natural gasNatural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
was discovered in Blackford County, and the area began its participation in the Indiana Gas Boom
Indiana Gas Boom
The Indiana Gas Boom was a period of active drilling and production of natural gas in the Trenton Gas Field, in the US state of Indiana and the adjacent northwest part of Ohio The boom began in the early 1880s and lasted into the early twentieth century....
. While natural gas was found throughout Blackford County, crude oil
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
was found mostly in the county’s Harrison Township
Harrison Township, Blackford County, Indiana
Harrison Township is one of four townships in Blackford County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,940. The township was named after William Henry Harrison, hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe, former governor of the Indiana Territory, and 9th President of the United...
, which includes Montpelier. Blackford County's first successful oil well, located just south of Montpelier, began producing during 1890. Montpelier was thought to be "the very heart of the greatest natural gas and oil field in the world". By the mid-1890s, about two thirds of Harrison Township (25 square miles) was considered part of an oil-producing region. Montpelier became a city where “money and whiskey flowed frequently”, and numerous other “recreational activities” were available. Oil production from the Trenton Gas and Oil Field surrounding Montpelier began decreasing during the first decade of the 20th Century, and the Gas Boom (or Montpelier’s oil boom) gradually came to an end. Montpelier began a return to “normalcy”, and its population (like many boom towns) has never exceeded its Gas Boom peak.
Dillinger
Montpelier's Montpelier National Bank was robbed by three men on the afternoon of August 4, 1933. The robbery lasted about 10 minutes, and no shooting was involved. The robbers quietly left town, driving east on Indiana State Road 18Indiana State Road 18
State Road 18 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west route in North Central Indiana running from the Illinois border in Benton County almost to the Ohio border, terminating at U.S. Route 27 /State Road 67 in Jay County...
, without being followed. It was later determined, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
, that the robbers were John Dillinger
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger, Jr. was an American bank robber in Depression-era United States. He was charged with, but never convicted of, the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer during a shoot-out. This was his only alleged homicide. His gang robbed two dozen banks and four police stations...
and the Dillinger Gang.
Geography
Montpelier is part of East Central IndianaEast Central Indiana
East Central Indiana is a region in Indiana east of Indianapolis, Indiana, and borders the Ohio state line.- Counties :*Blackford*Delaware*Hancock*Henry*Jay*Madison*Randolph*Wayne- County seats :*Anderson, Indiana-Madison...
and Northern Indiana
Northern Indiana
Northern Indiana is the region of Indiana including 26 counties bordering parts of Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. The area is generally sub-classified into other regions. The northwest is economically and culturally intertwined with Chicago, and is considered part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
. Future Northern Indiana
Northern Indiana
Northern Indiana is the region of Indiana including 26 counties bordering parts of Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. The area is generally sub-classified into other regions. The northwest is economically and culturally intertwined with Chicago, and is considered part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
, including what became Harrison Township and Montpelier, was flattened by two glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s millions of years ago. These glaciers are also responsible for the rich Blackford County farmland, which includes the land surrounding Montpelier.
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...
, Montpelier has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land. Located in the Harrison Township
Harrison Township, Blackford County, Indiana
Harrison Township is one of four townships in Blackford County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,940. The township was named after William Henry Harrison, hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe, former governor of the Indiana Territory, and 9th President of the United...
portion of Blackford County, Indiana
Blackford County, Indiana
Blackford County is located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Indiana. The county is named for Judge Isaac Blackford, who was the first speaker of the Indiana General Assembly and a long-time chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Created in 1838, Blackford County is divided...
, Montpelier is adjacent to the Salamonie River. It is located 40 miles (64.4 km) south of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
, and 75 miles (120.7 km) northeast of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
.
Nearby cities
- BlufftonBluffton, IndianaBluffton is a city in Harrison and Lancaster Townships, Wells County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,897 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Wells County.-Geography:Bluffton is located at ....
(about 20 highway miles north) - Hartford CityHartford City, IndianaHartford City is a city in the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Blackford County. Located in the northeast central portion of the state, the small farming community experienced a 15-year “boom” beginning in the late 1880s...
(about 12 highway miles southwest) - MarionMarion, IndianaMarion is a city in Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 29,948 as of the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Grant County...
(about 20 highway miles west) - PortlandPortland, Indiana-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,437 people, 2,739 households, and 1,750 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,566.8 people per square mile . There were 2,928 housing units at an average density of 712.7 per square mile...
(about 24 highway miles southeast) - UplandUpland, IndianaUpland is a town in Jefferson Township, Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 3,845 at the 2010 census. It is most notable for being the home of Taylor University, a Christian college with 1,920 students, as of 2011.-History:...
(about 18 highway miles southwest)
Climate
Montpelier has a typical MidwesternMidwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
humid continental
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
seasonal climate. There are four distinct seasons, with winters being cold with moderate snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
fall, while summers can be warm and humid. The highest average temperature is in July at 84 °F (29 °C), while the lowest average temperature is in January at 18 °F (−8 °C). However, summer temperatures can top 90 °F (32 °C), and winter temperatures can drop below 0 °F (−17 °C). Average monthly precipitation ranges from about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm), with the heaviest occurring during June, July, and August. The highest recorded temperature was 103.0 °F (39.0 °C) on June 26, 1988, and the lowest recorded temperature was −26.0 °F (−32.0 °C) on January 19, 1994.
Demographics
Although Montpelier's peak population shown in the adjacent table (source: U.S. Census) is shown as 3,405, the city is thought to have had over 6,500 residents around 1896 during the Indiana Gas Boom.As of the census
Census
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 1,929 people, 802 households, and 539 families residing in the city. 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 1,757.9 people per square mile (677.1/km²). There were 897 housing units at an average density of 817.4 per square mile (314.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.46% White, 0.10% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.16% 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 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.
There were 802 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% 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, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,175, and the median income for a family was $38,804. Males had a median income of $29,152 versus $21,402 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 city was $15,076. About 6.6% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Montpelier is located in a rural agricultural area, and has its own grain elevatorGrain elevator
A grain elevator is a tower containing a bucket elevator, which scoops up, elevates, and then uses gravity to deposit grain in a silo or other storage facility...
. The city also has some manufacturing establishments, and its major businesses provide employment for over 400 people. These businesses include Emhart-Gripco, Smith Consulting, Indiana Veneer, BRC Rubber & Plastics, Indiana Box, and others. Montpelier also has a 50-acre industrial park.
Culture
Montpelier has a long history of racing. During the 19th Century, there were at least two race tracks for horses near Montpelier. Montpelier’s own horse track was established in 1903. This track was very popular and drew crowds of 3,000. During the 1920s, a rebuilt track became known as the fastest half mile in Indiana. During the 1950s, the track became a stock car racing track, but reverted back to horses in the 1960s. The track closed in 1973, but reopened in 1985 for stock car races and horse racing. Today, Montpelier Raceway features sanctioned stock car racing.The Public Library of Montpelier and Harrison Township was built in 1907 and 1908. The building was made possible by a donation of $10,000 from philanthropist (and former business magnate
Business magnate
A business magnate, sometimes referred to as a capitalist, czar, mogul, tycoon, baron, oligarch, or industrialist, is an informal term used to refer to an entrepreneur who has reached prominence and derived a notable amount of wealth from a particular industry .-Etymology:The word magnate itself...
) Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
. Built in the Classical Revival
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
style of architecture, this building (under the historical name of Montpelier Carnegie Library) was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2007. It is one of only three individual buildings in Blackford County listed in the National Register
National Register of Historic Places listings in Blackford County, Indiana
This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Blackford County, Indiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Blackford County, Indiana, United States...
. (The county also has a Historic District
Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District
The Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District is located in Hartford City, Indiana. Hartford City has a population of about 7,000 and is the county seat of Blackford County and the site of the county courthouse...
.)
Montpelier’s First Baptist Church was founded by Franklin Baldwin, brother of the leader of Montpelier’s first settlers, Abel Baldwin. The congregation was organized in 1838. The present church building, located in downtown Montpelier, was constructed in 1907 and 1908. The building has been remodeled since that time.
High School basketball is very popular in Indiana
Hoosier Hysteria
Hoosier Hysteria is the state of excitement surrounding basketball in Indiana, or more specifically the Indiana high school basketball tournament. In part, the excitement stemmed from the inclusion of all tournament entrants into the same tournament, where a small town's David might knock off a...
, and Montpelier has been a strong participant. Despite its smaller size, Montpelier High School won five sectional basketball tournament championships. After a high school consolidation, Montpelier students began attending Blackford High School – and Blackford has won ten sectional championships. Additional sporting activities in Montpelier include Little League baseball, Tee Ball
Tee Ball
Tee Ball or T-Ball is a sport based on baseball and is intended as an introduction for children to develop baseball skills and have fun. The name Tee Ball is a registered trademark while T-Ball is the generic name, although many sources use Tee Ball as a generic title.- Description :In T-Ball, the...
, and softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
. Golfing, camping, and fishing are also available nearby.
The Montpelier Jamboree is an annual celebration that was first held in 1945. This Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend celebration features musical acts, a Jamboree Queen contest, and other activities.
The former Godfroy Reservation, an Indian reservation
Indian reservation
An American Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs...
for Chief Francis Godfroy and Miami Indians from 1827 until 1836, is located on the Salamonie River near Montpelier. (Francis is the English pronunciation of Godfroy’s real name Francois. The Indian pronunciation of Francois was Palonzwa.) Godfroy’s father was French, and his mother was from the Miami tribe. A big man at six feet tall and 300 pounds, Godfroy was the last war chief of the Miami Nation. A stature of Francis Godfroy is located in downtown Montpelier.
Infrastructure
Montpelier has its own elementary school, and high school students attend the county's Blackford High School. Five universities, including Ball State UniversityBall State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
and Taylor University
Taylor University
Taylor University is a private, interdenominational, evangelical Christian college located in Upland, Indiana. Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest evangelical Christian colleges in America....
, are located not more than 30 miles (48.3 km) from Montpelier.
The Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
provides freight railroad service connecting Montpelier to Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. This railroad, known as the Lake Erie and Western Railroad
Lake Erie and Western Railroad
The Lake Erie and Western Railroad was a railroad that operated in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.-The beginning:The Seney Syndicate linked several short railroads in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois to form the Lake Erie and Western Railroad in 1879 and 1880...
in the 1890s during the Gas Boom, was very important for the growth of Montpelier. Indiana Highway 18 runs through Montpelier, and Interstate 69 is 14 miles (22.5 km) west. The nearest airport with commercial flights is located 40 miles (64.4 km) north in Fort Wayne.
Major highways
-
Indiana State Road 18Indiana State Road 18State Road 18 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west route in North Central Indiana running from the Illinois border in Benton County almost to the Ohio border, terminating at U.S. Route 27 /State Road 67 in Jay County... -
Interstate 69Interstate 69 in IndianaInterstate 69 presently exists in two discontinuous segments in Indiana. The original highway, completed in November 1971, runs northeast from the state capital of Indianapolis, to the city of Fort Wayne, and then proceeds north to the state of Michigan...
(14 miles (22.5 km) west of city)
Notable People
NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
astronaut Kevin A. Ford
Kevin A. Ford
Kevin Anthony Ford is a retired United States Air Force Colonel and a NASA astronaut. He is married with two children. Ford has received a number of special honors and awards, some of which are the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal and the...
is one of Montpelier’s most notable former residents. A graduate of the local Blackford High School, Ford holds academic degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
s from University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, Troy State University
Troy University
Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
, University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
, and the Air Force Institute of Technology
Air Force Institute of Technology
The Air Force Institute of Technology is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education that is part of the United States Air Force. It is located on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT has been...
. Ford retired from active duty as a colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
in 2008. Ford was the pilot for the Space Shuttle Discovery
Space Shuttle Discovery
Space Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011...
during its August 2009 flight. He has logged over 332 hours in outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
.