Connersville, Indiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Connersville, Indiana | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Fayette |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Leonard E. Urban (R) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 8.1 sq mi (21.1 km²) |
| - Land | 8.1 sq mi (21.1 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 823 ft (251 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 15,411 |
| - Density | 1,895.6/sq mi (731.9/km²) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 47331 |
| Area code(s) | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-14932[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0432888[2] |
| Website: www.connersvillein.gov | |
Connersville is a city in Fayette County, Indiana, United States. The population was 15,411 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Fayette County[3]. The East Central Education Service Center is located in Connersville.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Connersville is located at (39.653931, -85.137709)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21.1 km²), of which, 8.1 square miles (21.1 km²) of it is land and 0.12% is water.
[edit] History
Connersville is named for settler John Conner, brother of William Conner. In the early 20th century, the town became known as "Little Detroit" because of its importance to the automobile industry. Automobiles manufactured in Connersville include Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg, Ansted, Empire, Lexington and McFarlan. When the Visteon factory closed at the end of 2007, Connersville's role in auto manufacturing came to an end.
The Roots blower was invented here in the 1860s and was manufactured in Connersville for many years.
Elmhurst, a lovely estate south of town on St. Rd. 121, was the home of Caleb Blood Smith who served in Abraham Lincoln's cabinet.
The Connersville High School Spartans boys basketball team won the state tournament in 1972 and 1983. The girls gymnastics team won state in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
[edit] MudFest
MudFest is a popular event that takes place each summer in July. Sponsored by the Connersville Parks and Recreation Department, it started in 1987 and has continued every summer except one. More than 100 teams play volleyball in a special muddy "court" at Roberts Park. The event raises funds for the Park Department.
[edit] MusicFest
In 2005 the first Heritage MusicFest was held. Local bands ranging in style from bluegrass to heavy metal perform by the Whitewater River. The event is open to the public.
[edit] First High School Marching Band
During the school year 1906-07, Dr. W. Otto Meissner established the first high school marching band in the U.S. at Connersville High School. The band is currently directed by Mr. Les Miller.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 15,411 people, 6,382 households, and 4,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,894.5 people per square mile (731.9/km²). There were 6,974 housing units at an average density of 857.3/sq mi (331.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.10% White, 2.48% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 6,382 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34, and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,911, and the median income for a family was $40,833. Males had a median income of $31,239 versus $21,836 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,839. About 7.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Rail Transportation
- See also: Connersville (Amtrak station)
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Connersville.
Amtrak Train 51, the westbound Cardinal, is scheduled to depart Connersville at 3:05am on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday with service to to Indianapolis, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer, Dyer and Chicago Union Station.
Amtrak Train 50, the eastbound Cardinal, is scheduled to depart Connersville at 1:26am on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with service to Cincinnati, Maysville, South Portsmouth, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Montgomery, Thurmond, Prince, Hinton, Alderson, White Sulphur Springs, Clifton Forge, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, and Washington, DC and continuing on to New York City.
[edit] Media
Connersville has a daily newspaper called The News Examiner.
Radio station WIFE-AM 1580 also operates with local programming. For many years Connersville simulcast AM/FM WCNB/WIFE radio. The FM which was located at 100.3 was sold to Radio One Communications for $18 million in 2006 and re-located to Cincinnati, Ohio. There is now a new FM radio station (94.3) , whose tower is located in Rush County, Indiana and barely reaches Connersville. but is considered to be Connersville's FM radio station.
Connersville High School's daily TV news program, CHS Today, was the first student-produced TV news program in the United States. It premiered in 1970 with anchors Dennis Sullivan and Ron Stevens. At first it was broadcast only to the school via closed-circuit TV. Later it expanded; it now goes to the community twice a day via cable TV. Teacher Joe Glowacki started and still runs the program.
[edit] Famous People from Connersville
Robert Wise, one of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors and producers, was graduated from Connersville High School in 1932. The CHS auditorium, the Robert E. Wise Center for Performing Arts, was named in his honor.
Kim Giesting was Indiana Teacher of the Year in 1998. At the time she taught science; she now is the high school Media Specialist.
Phil Cox was Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 1972. Cox lead the Connersville High School Basketball Team to their first IHSAA State Basketball Championship.
Sean Compton, Tribune Company television exec and former Clear Channel radio talent and executive, graduated from Connersville High School in 1992.
Betsy M. Ross, former ESPN anchor, is also a graduate of Connersville High School.
Scott Halberstadt, television actor, was born in Connersville in 1976 and graduated from Connersville High School.
Danielle Slone, 1999 Indianapolis 500 Festival Queen, graduated from Connersville High School in 1995.
Tom T. Hall, country singer and Grand Ole Opry member, spent time in Connersville early in his career and wrote "Thank You, Connersville" about the experience.
April McDivitt was Indiana's Miss Basketball in 1999. She played college basketball for the Lady Vols of Tennessee before transferring to the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Finly H. Gray was a US Congressman elected to represent Indiana's 6th and 10th Districts in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1911 to 1917, and 1933 to 1939. He also served as Mayor of Connersville from 1904 to 1910. Gray is buried in Dale Cemetery located on Gray Road in Connersville.
Caleb Blood Smith was congressman and Secretary of the Interior in the Lincoln administration.
Greg Stotelmyer, three time Emmy winner, graduated from Connersville High School in 1974. He is now the "Voice of the Colonels" for the Eastern Kentucky University boys basketball team.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Connersville, Indiana is at coordinates Coordinates:
|
|||||||||||||||||
