Barbersville, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbersville, Indiana
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Extinct town
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 Barbersville, Indiana
Location in Indiana
Barbersville, Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Jefferson |
| Township | Shelby |
| Elevation | 899 ft (274 m) |
| ZIP code |
47250
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| FIPS code | 18-12520 |
| GNIS feature ID | 430483 |
Barbersville was once a small town in Indiana. It was located in Shelby Township, which is part of Jefferson County. Today, Barbersville is no longer an active town.
Contents
History of Barbersville
Barbersville might have started even before its official founding. An earlier town called Edinburgh was planned nearby in 1815. It had 64 lots around a public square. The land belonged to Wilson Buchanan, George Benefiel, and James Whitton.
Post Office and Early Days
Barbersville had its own post office for many years. It first opened in 1826. Mail service stopped for a while in 1838. It was then handled by the nearby Canaan Post Office. The Barbersville post office reopened in 1848. It stayed open until 1906, when mail service moved back to Canaan.
The first postmaster was Timothy Barber. He was allowed to sell goods like sugar and coffee. The town was officially planned in 1848 by Enoch and Thomas Bray. They laid out fifteen lots and three streets. These streets included Main Street and Broadway.
Growth and Community Life
By the 1870s, many of the town's lots were owned by William Buchanan. In 1870, Barbersville had about 100 people. This number likely included everyone living in the area with a Barbersville address.
A general store was a very important part of the town. William H. Benefiel ran the longest-lasting store. It opened in 1857 and closed when he passed away in 1911. After he died, his goods were sold at an auction.
In 1890, a business guide described Barbersville as a village of 50 people. It was about 15 miles northeast of Madison, the county seat. People shipped grain, livestock, hay, and fruit from Barbersville.
School and Other Services
Barbersville had a one-room school. It was operating by late 1890. However, it seems the school closed around 1915 or 1916. It was no longer on the county school list that year.
The town also had a corn mill. This mill ground corn every Friday and Saturday. Milford Smock operated the mill in 1895. Barbersville also had a local court with a justice of the peace. This court was active into the late 1800s. William Benefiel, who ran the general store, also sold farm tools, fertilizer, and livestock.
Barbersville Today
Over time, fewer people lived in the Barbersville area. Today, if you look at aerial photos, you can see only a few homes or buildings along Barbersville Road. This includes the area where the town once stood.
