New Amsterdam, Indiana

New Amsterdam, Indiana
Town

New Amsterdam town hall, 2007

Location of New Amsterdam in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 38°6′7″N 86°16′29″W / 38.10194°N 86.27472°WCoordinates: 38°6′7″N 86°16′29″W / 38.10194°N 86.27472°W
Country United States
State Indiana
County Harrison
Township Washington
Area[1]
 • Total 0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
 • Land 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation 449 ft (137 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 27
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 27
 • Density 337.5/sq mi (130.3/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 47142
Area code(s) 812
FIPS code 18-52398[4]
GNIS feature ID 0440016[5]

New Amsterdam is a town located in Washington Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27.[6]

History

Shaffer's General Store, 2011

The first European-American settlers in what became New Amsterdam were James Riley and Jacob Youstler. Starting in 1815, they lived in New Amsterdam for several years before relocating further north.[7] The town was formally platted on September 19, 1815, by Jacob Funk and Samuel McAdams.[8]

The town relied on the Ohio River for its growth, as it was the main transportation route for migrating settlers as well as traders up and down river. Steamboats were active on the river during the 19th century and contributed to the growth of waterfront towns. In the 1860 census, New Amsterdam was the largest town in Harrison County.

Floods played a large part in the decline of the town. The Great Ohio River flood of 1937 destroyed 75% of the structures in the town. The only original building remaining in the town is the old country store. A marker on the second story of the building shows the height of the water in the 1937 Flood.

Today, the town has a general store, a Baptist church, a Methodist church, a town hall and a cemetery.

Geography

New Amsterdam is located at 38°6′6″N 86°16′29″W / 38.10167°N 86.27472°W (38.101894, -86.274821).[9] According to the 2010 census, the town has a total area of 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2), of which 0.08 square miles (0.21 km2) (or 80.0%) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.052 km2) (or 20.0%) is water.[1]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1900200—
1910134−33.0%
19201372.2%
1930101−26.3%
194086−14.9%
195076−11.6%
196043−43.4%
197032−25.6%
198031−3.1%
199030−3.2%
200024−20.0%
20102712.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 27 people, 11 households, and 8 families residing in the town. The population density was 337.5 inhabitants per square mile (130.3/km2). There were 20 housing units at an average density of 250.0 per square mile (96.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 85.2% White, 11.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.1% of the population.

There were 11 households of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.3% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the town was 42.3 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 0% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 55.6% male and 44.4% female.

Area events

The New Amsterdam Festival, also known as Remembrance Day, is held the third Saturday of April and all are welcome. The festival features a parade, bazaar and competitions.

Area attractions

Old General Store called The Shaffer's General Store.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Places: Indiana". 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  4. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  7. ↑ Washington Township
  8. ↑ Roose, William H. (1911). Indiana's Birthplace: A History of Harrison County, Indiana. Tribune Company, Printers. p. 69.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.