North Judson, Indiana
Encyclopedia
North Judson is a town in Wayne Township
, Starke County
, Indiana
, United States
. The population was 1,675 at the 2000 census. The town owns and is the headquarters of the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad
.
) which had just been laid through the town. The North was likely added to eliminate confusion with downstate Judson, Indiana.
The town of North Judson proper was later laid out in 1866 and incorporated in 1888. In 1881, the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Railroad
and Chicago and Atlantic Railroad
were each laid through the town. Today, the town is situated at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 39.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,675 people, 648 households, and 425 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,820.1 people per square mile (703.0/km²). There were 704 housing units at an average density of 765.0/sq mi (295.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.01% White, 0.06% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 1.97% from other races
, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.39% of the population.
There were 648 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples
living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,779, and the median income for a family was $39,792. Males had a median income of $31,071 versus $21,467 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,052. About 10.5% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
weekend in celebration of the history of mint farming in the area. Musicians perform live throughout the weekend on a stage at Norwayne Field, a Works Progress Administration
-built park situated north at the intersection of SRs 10 and 39. Additionally, North Judson is home to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum
, a memorial to American railroad culture that offers old-fashioned train rides on Saturdays. A shorter ride reaches English Lake, at the Kankakee and Yellow Rivers' confluence; a longer takes the rider to LaCrosse, IN, before returning to the museum.
Ten miles to the east, Bass Lake, a popular resort, offers summer relaxation opportunities to visitors and locals alike. Just south of the lake, the Melody Drive-in shows movies on two screens.
The community of North Judson is also a strong supporter of its high school North Judson-San Pierre, and the athletic teams the Blue Jays field, particularly in football, and basketball both boys and girls. The Blue Jays have had a longtime football rivalry with the Knox High School Redskins for many years, and it's one of the biggest high school sports event each season.
Wayne Township, Starke County, Indiana
Wayne Township is one of nine townships in Starke County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,987.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Wayne Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Lena Park at Wayne Township...
, Starke County
Starke County, Indiana
Starke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 23,363. The county seat is Knox.-History:Starke County was created in 1835 and organized in 1850. It was named for Gen...
, 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 1,675 at the 2000 census. The town owns and is the headquarters of the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad
Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad
The Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad is a Class III short-line railroad operating of rail line in northwestern Indiana. From the town of La Crosse, lines run northwest to the Porter County town of Malden, southeast to the Starke County towns of English Lake and North Judson, and northeast through...
.
History
The area now known as North Judson was originally Brantwood, a town platted on October 1, 1859 less than a mile northwest of the current town. The town post office was established on September 24, 1860 as North Judson after Adrian Judson, one of the promoters of the Great Chicago and Eastern Railway (originally the Chicago and Cincinnati Railroad and later part of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis RailroadPittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad
The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, commonly called the Pan Handle Route , was a railroad forming part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. Its common name came from its main line west from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania across the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia...
) which had just been laid through the town. The North was likely added to eliminate confusion with downstate Judson, Indiana.
The town of North Judson proper was later laid out in 1866 and incorporated in 1888. In 1881, the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
and Chicago and Atlantic Railroad
Erie Railroad
The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, originally connecting New York City with Lake Erie...
were each laid through the town. Today, the town is situated at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 39.
Geography
North Judson is located at 41°13′1"N 86°46′33"W (41.217078, −86.775930).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 0.9 square miles (2.3 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 1,675 people, 648 households, and 425 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 1,820.1 people per square mile (703.0/km²). There were 704 housing units at an average density of 765.0/sq mi (295.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.01% White, 0.06% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 1.97% 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 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.39% of the population.
There were 648 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% 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, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,779, and the median income for a family was $39,792. Males had a median income of $31,071 versus $21,467 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 $13,052. About 10.5% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
The town hosts the annual Mint Festival over Father's DayFather's Day
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days...
weekend in celebration of the history of mint farming in the area. Musicians perform live throughout the weekend on a stage at Norwayne Field, a Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
-built park situated north at the intersection of SRs 10 and 39. Additionally, North Judson is home to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is a railroad museum located at 507 Mulberry Street in North Judson, Indiana.The non-profit museum is located at a former Erie Railroad facility. The museum is open Saturdays all year with train rides also available from May to October...
, a memorial to American railroad culture that offers old-fashioned train rides on Saturdays. A shorter ride reaches English Lake, at the Kankakee and Yellow Rivers' confluence; a longer takes the rider to LaCrosse, IN, before returning to the museum.
Ten miles to the east, Bass Lake, a popular resort, offers summer relaxation opportunities to visitors and locals alike. Just south of the lake, the Melody Drive-in shows movies on two screens.
The community of North Judson is also a strong supporter of its high school North Judson-San Pierre, and the athletic teams the Blue Jays field, particularly in football, and basketball both boys and girls. The Blue Jays have had a longtime football rivalry with the Knox High School Redskins for many years, and it's one of the biggest high school sports event each season.
Notable native
- Henry F. SchrickerHenry F. SchrickerHenry Frederick Schricker was the 36th and 38th Governor of the American state of Indiana from 1941 to 1945 and from 1949 to 1953. He is the only Indiana governor elected to two non-consecutive terms, and the only governor between 1852 and 1977 to be elected to more than one term in office...
, 36th and 38th Governor of Indiana