Atkinson, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Atkinson, Indiana
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Benton County's location in Indiana
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 Atkinson, Indiana
Location in Benton County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Benton |
| Township | Center |
| Elevation | 778 ft (237 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47971
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| Area code(s) | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-02566 |
| GNIS feature ID | 430324 |
Atkinson is a small, unincorporated community in Benton County, Indiana. It is located in Center Township. Even though it's a small place, Atkinson is important because it's home to Benton Central, the only junior/senior high school in the county.
Contents
Where is Atkinson Located?
Atkinson is found at 40°33′46″N 87°14′48″W / 40.56278°N 87.24667°W. It sits right on the edge of two townships: Center and Oak Grove. A major road, U.S. Route 52, passes through the town. Also, the Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad runs through Atkinson.
A Look Back: Atkinson's History
How Atkinson Started
Atkinson got its name from Cephas Atkinson. He was the son of Thomas and Francis Head Atkinson. The town became a shipping point for goods on the Big Four railway. A post office opened here in 1873. It stayed open for 50 years, closing in 1923.
In 1882, the Western Telephone Company of Chicago brought phone service to Benton County. Atkinson was one of the first towns to get a telephone office. Other towns like Fowler and Oxford also got service.
Even though it was small, Atkinson was called a "thriving little village" in the 1920s. This was mentioned in the Oxford (Indiana) Gazette newspaper.
A Big Storm
In 1916, a powerful lightning storm hit Atkinson. The lightning was so strong it made a hole in the road. This hole was eight feet wide and four feet deep. Sadly, a man and his horses were killed in the storm. Their wagon was also destroyed.
Schools in Atkinson
The very first school in the Atkinson area was called the Gwin School. It was built in 1857, about a mile south of Atkinson. This school burned down a few years later. In 1906, a new, "fine brick" schoolhouse was finished in Atkinson.
In the 1960s, a new school complex was built. It was named Benton Central School. Today, this complex is known as Benton Central Junior-Senior High. Another school, Prairie Crossing Elementary School, opened in October 2006.
Population Over Time
| Atkinson historical population |
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1890 | 50 | — |
| 1900 | 41 | −18.0% |
| 1920 | 46 | +12.2% |
Atkinson has always been a small community. In 1890, about 50 people lived there. By 1900, the population was 41. In 1920, it was recorded as 46 people. During the 1920s, the population usually ranged from 10 to 15 people.
