Vincennes, Indiana

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City of Vincennes
Flag of City of Vincennes
Flag
Location in the state of Indiana
Location in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 38°40′42″N 87°30′58″W / 38.67833, -87.51611
Country United States
State Indiana
County Knox
Government
 - Mayor Al Baldwin (D)
Area
 - Total 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²)
 - Land 7.1 sq mi (18.5 km²)
 - Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)  0.97%
Elevation 420 ft (128 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 18,701
 - Density 2,620.3/sq mi (1,011.3/km²)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 47591
Area code(s) 812
FIPS code 18-79208[1]
GNIS feature ID 0445300[2]
This article is about the United States city, Vincennes. For other uses, see Vincennes (disambiguation).

The city of Vincennes is the county seat of Knox County, Indiana. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. As of the 2000 census, the population was 18,701.

Contents

[edit] History

INDIANA'S FIRST CITY: The oldest town in Indiana, Vincennes was originally established in 1732 as a French fur trading post. It was built by François-Marie Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes, and renamed Poste Vincennes in his honor after he was captured and burned at the stake during a war with the Chickasaw nation.

On February 10, 1763, when New France was ceded to the British Empire after the Seven Years War (or French and Indian War), Vincennes fell under the dominion of Great Britain. British Lt. John Ramsey came to Vincennes in 1766. He took a census of the settlement, built up the fort, and renamed it Fort Sackville. The population grew quickly in the years that followed, creating a unique culture of interdependent Native Americans with French and British colonials and traders.

Vincennes was far from centers of colonial power, and in 1770 and 1772, British General Gage received warnings that the residents of Vincennes were not remaining loyal, and were inciting native tribes along the river trade routes against the British. The British Colonial Secretary, Earl of Hillsborough, ordered the residents to be removed from Vincennes. Gage delayed while the residents responded to charges against them, claiming to be "peaceful settlers, cultivating the land which His Most Christian Majesty granted us." The issue was resolved by the new Colonial Secretary, Lord Dartmouth, who notified Gage that the residents were not lawless vagabonds, but English subjects whose rights were protected by the King.[3]

In 1778, residents at Post Vincennes received word of the French alliance with the American Second Continental Congress from Father Pierre Gibault and Dr. Jean Laffont. They revolted in support of the Americans.

Lt-Governor Henry Hamilton called it "a refuge for debtors and Vagabonds from Canada," and led an expedition from Detroit to reclaim the post. He then built up the fort and prepared for a Spring invasion of Illinoisterritory. Instead, George Rogers Clark recaptured Fort Sackville on February 23, 1779 thanks to an Italian soldier and fur trader, Captain Francesco Vigo, who offered his financial assistance and services, even working as a secret agent. The episode was featured in the 1901 novel Alice of Old Vincennes by Maurice Thompson. Vincennes served as capital of the Indiana Territory from 1800 until 1813, when it was moved to Corydon.

Vincennes was originally in the French colony of Louisiana, then the British colony of Canada, then the Illinois Country of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, then Knox County in the Northwest Territory, then the Indiana Territory.

[edit] Flag of Vincennes, Indiana

This Flag for the city of Vincennes, Indiana albeit somewhat unofficial, is used by several areas around the city of Vincennes. It features the signature V, four fleurs-de-lis, symbolizing the city's French heritage, and the city's establishment in 1732. Similar in appearance to Indianapolis' flag, Vincennes' flag is more squared in appearance than Indianapolis' and has a diamond center rather than a circle center which represents the layout of Vincennes in a diamond-like formation. The white stripes emitting from the diamond represent Vincennes' part in the settlement of the frontier, being at the crossroads of many of the great pioneer trails.

[edit] Geography

Vincennes is located at 38°40′42″N, 87°30′58″W (38.678329, -87.516067)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²), of which 7.1 square miles (18.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) (0.97%) is water.

[edit] Education

[edit] Higher Education

Vincennes University

[edit] Public Schools

Elementary Schools

  • Tecumseh - Harrison Elementary
  • Franklin Elementary
  • Vigo Elementary
  • Riley Elementary
  • Washington Elementary

Middle School

  • Clark Middle School

High School

[edit] Parochial Schools

Elementary School

  • Flaget Elementary (K-5)

High School

  • Vincennes Rivet High School (6-12)

[edit] Other Private Schools

  • Wabash Valley Christian Academy (K-1)
  • Southwestern Indiana Youth Village (4-12)

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 18,701 people, 7,614 households, and 4,332 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,620.3 people per square mile (1,011.3/km²). There were 8,574 housing units at an average density of 1,201.4/sq mi (463.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.34% White, 3.28% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.

There were 7,614 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,289, and the median income for a family was $35,424. Males had a median income of $27,029 versus $20,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,993. About 15.0% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Time Zone Controversy

On November 4, 2007, Knox County joined Daviess, Martin, Pike, and Dubois counties in returning to Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5). Controversy concerning time in Indiana has caused a change in the time zone of Vincennes on three different occasions since The Standard Time Act of 1918.


[edit] Notable residents

[edit] Attractions of Vincennes

  • George Rogers Clark National Historical Park The memorial and park built for the war hero George Rogers Clark.
  • Xavier Cathedral and Library The oldest Catholic church in the state of Indiana.
  • The Old Cathedral Library, Indiana's oldest library.
  • Grouseland, the mansion home of William Henry Harrison, 9th United States President.
  • Fort Knox II: Outline of the fort is marked for self-guided tours.
  • Fort Sackville, one of the forts of Vincennes.
  • The U.S. Navy has named four ships in honor of Vincennes.
  • The Servant of God, Bishop Simon Bruté de Remur, first Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Vincennes.
  • The Indiana Military Museum (indianamilitarymuseum.org)

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • Vincennes University is located here. Established in 1802. The oldest college of higher learning in the US north of the Ohio River and west of the Appalachian Mountains.
  • Site of the First Catholic church in Indiana. (1749)
  • Was the First county organized in Indiana. (1790)
  • Home of the First newspaper in Indiana. (1799)
  • Site of the First Presbyterian church in Indiana. (1806)
  • Home of the First bank in Indiana. (1814)
  • Host to the First medical society in Indiana. (1817)
  • 1923 and 1981 (IHSAA) State Basketball Champions. 2002 IHSAA State Baseball Champions.
  • Sixth largest county in Indiana.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ Barnhart, 172-173
  4. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  • Barnhart, John D. and Riker, Dorothy L. Indiana to 1816. The Colonial Period. ©1971, Indiana Historical Society. ISBN 0-87195-109-6

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Knox County, Indiana
County seat: Vincennes
Cities and towns
Map of Indiana highlighting Knox County
Townships
Unincorporated
communities

Bandmill | Beal | Busseron | Cantaloupe | Emison | Freelandville | Fritchton | Indian Creek Settlement | Iona | Johnstown | Little Rock | Orrville | Purcell | Ragsdale | Ridgleville | Sisson | Verne | Vollmer | Westphalia | Willis

Unincorporated Communities should be added: Verne, Jordanville, Spauldingville