Wakarusa, Indiana

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Wakarusa, Indiana
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

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imagesize = 200px
image_caption = Downtown Wakarusa


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Wakarusa in the state of Indiana


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Indiana
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Elkhart
subdivision_type3 = Township
subdivision_name3 = Harrison, Olive
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

area_footnotes =
unit_pref = Imperial
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 5.9
area_land_km2 = 5.9
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 2.3
area_land_sq_mi = 2.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1618
population_density_km2 = 276.4
population_density_sq_mi = 716.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 256
elevation_ft = 840
latd = 41 |latm = 32 |lats = 4 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 0 |longs = 58 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 46573
area_code = 574
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 18-79478GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0452499GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Wakarusa is a town in Harrison and Olive townships in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,618. Wakarusa is a small farming and manufacturing community located on Indiana 19 just north of Indiana 119. The town is 12 miles south of Elkhart, 25 miles southeast of South Bend, 120 miles east of Chicago, and 140 miles north of Indianapolis.

Geography

Wakarusa is located at coor dms|41|32|4|N|86|0|58|W|city (41.534490, -86.016223)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (5.9 km²), all of it land. The town sits in the middle of predominately rural farm land.

History

In 1836, rural Olive Township was formed in Western Elkhart County and in 1849, as the population grew, a post office named Mt. Olive opened. After more population growth, a new village named Salem was established to prevent people from having to travel to either Goshen or Elkhart to conduct business. Since there is already a town named Salem in Indiana, the name was changed to Wakarusa in 1859. The Mt. Olive Post Office was renamed for Wakarusa a year later. [http://www.wakarusa.org Wakarusa's History] ] The name "Wakarusa" comes from a word in the Potawatomi language meaning "knee deep in mud." [ [http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_00881.shtml Bill Graham - Rainy Day Dawg ] ]

People

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,618 people, 595 households, and 427 families residing in the town. The population density was 716.0 people per square mile (276.4/km²). There were 618 housing units at an average density of 273.5/sq mi (105.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.34% White, 0.49% African American, 0.19% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 595 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,515, and the median income for a family was $50,833. Males had a median income of $36,014 versus $25,300 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,615. About 3.2% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Neighboring Nappanee and Wakarusa combined their school systems in the 1970's to create the Wa-Nee Community Schools.

Religion

Wakarusa has several churches including Wakarusa Missionary Church, which is the Missionary Church denomination based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Other churches include Bible Baptist Church, a Methodist church, and Olive Mennonite Church just outside of Wakarusa.

Notable Natives

*Ryan Burkhart, current placekicker for the University of Notre Dame Football Team. Burkhart attended NorthWood High School.
*Gayle Sayers, former running back for the Chicago Bears, is a part time resident of Wakarusa.

Economy

Originally solely a farming community, a lumber mill opened up shop in 1866. By the 1880's, several factories and businesses existed despite the fact that the railroad would not roll into town until 1893. At one point, three different lumber mills operated in the town, though none exist today.

Today, Wakarusa continues to have a thriving farming economy and has two grain mills within the town's limits. Wakarusa's location in Elkhart County places it within a strong industrial area, and because of this, multiple manufacturers are located in the area. Recreational Vehicle manufacturing, modular home manufacturing, and custom truck production are the base of the industrial economy.

On July 17, 2008, Monaco Coach Corporation announced the closing of its Wakarusa production plant and laying off its nearly 1000 workers. [ [http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/25603309.html Monaco Layoffs] ]

Festivals

Once a year, the town hosts the Maple Syrup Festival and holds a parade as well as other activities associated with small-town celebrations. The festival was started in 1969 by the then Chamber of Progress. Originally held in March, the festival now occurs during the middle of April. During the festival the world famous Wakarusa Dime Store Jumbo Jellybeans are sold. The Wakarusa Dime Store was founded in 1907 and sells over 45 tons of the biggest jellybeans you will ever see,each year. www.jumbojellybeans.com

External links

References