Alfont, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfont, Indiana
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 Alfont, Indiana
Location in Indiana
Alfont, Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Madison |
| Township | Green |
| Elevation | 856 ft (261 m) |
| ZIP code |
46040
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| FIPS code | 18-00928 |
| GNIS feature ID | 430069 |
Alfont is a small community in Green Township, Madison County, Indiana. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it is a place with a shared identity but no official local government like a city or town.
History of Alfont
The community of Alfont started around the 1830s. It was named after William Alfonte, an early settler. William Alfonte and his wife, Elizabeth, moved to Indiana from Philadelphia.
In 1836, William Alfonte built a grist mill on Lick Creek. A grist mill is a place where grain, like corn or wheat, is ground into flour. This mill was important for the early settlers.
Sadly, the grist mill burned down in 1847. But soon after, a saw mill was built nearby. A saw mill is used to cut logs into lumber. William Alfonte passed away in 1852.
Famous Family Members
Some of William Alfonte's grandchildren became important military leaders. These included Brig. Gen. James R. Alfonte, Col. William R. Alfonte, and Col. Dallas Alfonte.
Brig. Gen. James R. Alfonte was a very brave soldier. He received the Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit. These are awards for courage and excellent service in the military. General James fought in both World War I and World War II. He worked for the Quartermaster General's Department from 1942 until he retired.
Community Growth and Change
Alfont once had its own post office. William Molden ran the post office and also opened a general store and a warehouse.
However, Alfont's growth slowed down over time. The nearby town of Fortville grew larger and attracted more businesses and people. Later, in the 1890s, natural gas was found in Ingalls. This led to the creation of the town of Ingalls in 1893, which also drew people away from Alfont.
A Tragic Event
On February 2, 1924, a very sad accident happened near Alfont. Two interurban trains crashed head-on. Interurban trains were electric trains that connected cities and towns. The crash was very powerful. The front parts of both trains were badly damaged. Many people were affected by this tragic event. The exact number of people who passed away is not known for sure, but it was thought to be around 21.
