Middlefork, Clinton County, Indiana

Middlefork
Unincorporated community
Middlefork
Coordinates: 40°24′56″N 86°23′33″W / 40.41556°N 86.39250°WCoordinates: 40°24′56″N 86°23′33″W / 40.41556°N 86.39250°W
Country United States
State Indiana
County Clinton
Township Warren
Elevation 807 ft (246 m)
ZIP code 46041
FIPS code 18-48960[1]
GNIS feature ID 449695[2]

Middlefork is an unincorporated community in Warren Township, Clinton County, Indiana. It is named for the Middle Fork of Wildcat Creek which runs along the north side of the town.[3]

History

Middlefork was founded along the Michigan Road, an important early Indiana thoroughfare, but the site never gained a railroad line and remained a small social and business center for local residents. The town's first store was operated by William Sims, then by John Evans. Its first postmaster was John Purdum.

Several lodges and fraternal organization operated at Middlefork, including the Masons, Red Men, Odd Fellows, GAR and the Independent Order of Good Templars, the latter being dedicated to temperance work. The Templars "bought out the only saloon keeper in the place and emptied his stock of liquors into the street, after which there was no further sale of intoxicants in the village."[4]

A post office was established at Middlefork (spelled Middle Fork in early years) in 1836, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1907.[5]

Geography

Middlefork is located at 40°24′56″N 86°23′33″W / 40.41556°N 86.39250°W.

References

  1. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "Middlefork, Clinton County, 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, Joseph (1913). "Warren Township". History of Clinton County, Indiana. Indianapolis: A. W. Bowen & Company.
  5. ↑ "Clinton County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 30 August 2014.