Jefferson, Indiana

Jefferson
Unincorporated community
Jefferson
Coordinates: 40°16′46″N 86°35′24″W / 40.27944°N 86.59000°WCoordinates: 40°16′46″N 86°35′24″W / 40.27944°N 86.59000°W
Country United States
State Indiana
County Clinton
Township Washington
Named for Thomas Jefferson
Elevation 860 ft (260 m)
ZIP code 46041
FIPS code 18-37908[1]
GNIS feature ID 436957[2]

Jefferson is an unincorporated community in Washington Township, Clinton County, Indiana. The town is named for U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.[3]

History

Jefferson was one of the earliest settlements in Clinton County, being laid out and platted before 1829 and situated in the most thickly settled part of the county at that point. It early on had a post office, which handled mail bi-weekly, and a store operated by Abner Baker and Aaron Southard which sold supplies both to the early pioneers and to the Indians.[4]

When Clinton County organized in 1830, local landowners led by Abner Baker lobbied for Jefferson to be chosen as the county seat, but its non-central location worked against it. John Pence offered 60 acres (240,000 m2) of land and $100 for the establishment of the seat at Frankfort, and the commissioners appointed to select the site accepted.[5]

A post office was established at Jefferson in 1830, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1905.[6]

Geography

Jefferson is located at 40°16′46″N 86°35′24″W / 40.27944°N 86.59000°W.

References

  1. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "Jefferson, Indiana". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  3. ↑ Claybaugh, Joseph (1913). History of Clinton County, Indiana. Indianapolis: A. W. Bowen & Company. p. 32.
  4. ↑ Claybaugh, p. 81
  5. ↑ Claybaugh, p. 97
  6. ↑ "Clinton County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 30 August 2014.