Beech Grove, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beech Grove, Indiana
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Beech Grove from above.
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| Motto(s):
"Where Tradition Welcomes Progress"
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Location of Beech Grove in Marion County, Indiana.
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 Beech Grove, Indiana
Location in Indiana
Beech Grove, Indiana
Location in the United States
Beech Grove, Indiana
Location in North America
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Indiana | ||
| County | Marion | ||
| Founded | 1906 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 4.47 sq mi (11.57 km2) | ||
| • Land | 4.47 sq mi (11.57 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 814 ft (248 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,717 | ||
| • Density | 3,293.13/sq mi (1,271.46/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
46107
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| Area code(s) | 317 | ||
| FIPS code | 18-04204 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2394106 | ||
| Interstate Spurs | I-465 | ||
| Public transit | IndyGo | ||
| Website | http://www.beechgrove.com/ | ||
Beech Grove is a city in Marion County, Indiana, United States. In 2020, about 14,717 people lived there. It's part of the bigger Indianapolis area. Beech Grove is special because it's an "excluded city," meaning it has its own government and isn't fully merged with Indianapolis.
Contents
History of Beech Grove
Around the year 1900, the area where Beech Grove now stands was mostly farmland. Famous people like poet Sarah T. Bolton and financier Francis McClintock Churchman lived there.
Their farms, "Beech Bank" and "Beech Grove Farm," were named after the many beech trees in the area. This is how the city got its name. Sarah T. Bolton Park, which was once part of her farm, still has large beech trees today.
How Beech Grove Started
Beech Grove officially began as a "company town." This means it was built for workers of a new railroad repair center. This center, called the Beech Grove Shops, was built by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad.
Over the years, different railroad companies have run the shops, including New York Central, Penn Central, and now Amtrak. The shops cover a large area and employ many people. To honor the city's railroad history, one of Amtrak's special business cars is named The Beech Grove.
Growth and Changes
Beech Grove became a city in late 1906. However, it didn't grow quickly until the railroad facility was finished in 1908. In 1907, there were only a few homes and businesses.
After World War II, the city grew by adding nearby areas. The last time it expanded was in 1967. This happened just before a law called Unigov merged Indianapolis with most of Marion County, which stopped Beech Grove from growing further by adding more land.
Famous People and Visits
Two well-known actors were born in Beech Grove: Clifton Webb (born 1889) and Steve McQueen (born 1930). McQueen was born at the city's St. Francis Hospital.
On October 15, 1948, a sitting President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, visited Beech Grove. He came to the city's Masonic Lodge during his re-election campaign.
Geography and Climate
Beech Grove covers about 4.39 square miles (11.57 square kilometers) of land. There is no water within the city limits.
The city's height above sea level ranges from 766 feet to 845 feet. This is higher than downtown Indianapolis.
Waterways and Location
Beech Grove has several small streams, including Beech Creek, McFarland Creek, Pullman Creek, and Victory Run. These all flow into Lick Creek, which then flows into the White River.
The city is located within four different townships in Marion County: Perry, Franklin, Center, and Warren. Most of the city's land and people are in Perry Township.
Weather in Beech Grove
Beech Grove has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 568 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,459 | 156.9% | |
| 1930 | 3,552 | 143.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,847 | 8.3% | |
| 1950 | 5,612 | 45.9% | |
| 1960 | 10,973 | 95.5% | |
| 1970 | 13,559 | 23.6% | |
| 1980 | 13,196 | −2.7% | |
| 1990 | 13,383 | 1.4% | |
| 2000 | 14,880 | 11.2% | |
| 2010 | 14,192 | −4.6% | |
| 2020 | 14,717 | 3.7% | |
| Source: US Census Bureau | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 14,192 people living in Beech Grove. There were 5,898 households, and 3,567 families. The city had about 3,233 people per square mile.
Most of the people (91.5%) were White. Other groups included African American (3.2%), Native American (0.3%), and Asian (0.7%). About 4.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 31.7% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 37.7 years old.
Education in Beech Grove
Beech Grove has its own school district called Beech Grove City Schools. It includes five schools: Hornet Park, Central Elementary, South Grove Intermediate, Beech Grove Middle, and Beech Grove High.
The high school sports teams are called the "Hornets." Their colors are orange and black. They compete in the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA).
School History
The first school in Beech Grove opened in 1907 in the upstairs of a grocery store. Over time, more school buildings were built. The high school started in 1917, and its first class graduated in 1922.
In 1955, a new combined junior high and high school was built. The old complex became Central Elementary. As the city grew, the current high school was built in 1966.
Kindergarten classes were first offered by private schools. Later, the public school system started offering kindergarten and first grade at Hornet Park. This building is also used by the city's Parks Department for community activities.
Sports and Arts Achievements
The Beech Grove Hornets basketball teams have won two state championships. The girls' team won in 2003. A player from that team, Katie Gearlds, won a special award and was named "Miss Basketball" for the entire state. She later played in the WNBA. The boys' team won their state championship in 2022.
The "Marching Hornets" band program has also done very well. They have reached the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Band Finals several times. They placed 2nd in Class C in 2011 and have continued to achieve high rankings.
Other Schools and Library
Within the city, there is also Holy Name of Jesus School, a Catholic school for grades pre-school to 8. Many students from this school go on to Beech Grove High School or nearby Roncalli High School.
Beech Grove has a public library. It used to be its own library but merged with the Indianapolis Public Library in 2016. It is now one of their many branches.
Medical and Religious Institutions
Healthcare
Franciscan Health Indianapolis, which used to be called St. Francis Hospital, was founded in Beech Grove in 1914. The hospital in Beech Grove closed in 2012. Most of its services moved to a newer hospital campus in south Indianapolis.
Places of Worship
Beech Grove has many churches, some of which have been there since the city's early days.
- The Blessed Sacrament Parish (Roman Catholic Church) started in 1908 and is now called Holy Name of Jesus Parish.
- Beech Grove United Methodist Church also began in 1908.
- Beech Grove Christian Church started from a meeting of railroad employees in 1910.
- The First Baptist Church was organized in 1912.
Other churches established later include Beech Grove Wesleyan Church, Faith Assembly of God, South Emerson Church of God, Southwood Baptist Church, and Ascension Lutheran Church. There are also newer independent community churches.
The Benedict Inn is a facility run by the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict. It has meeting rooms, a gym, and an indoor pool. These were once part of a Catholic high school for girls.
Community Life
Civic Groups
Beech Grove has many active community groups.
- The Lions International and Kiwanis clubs are service groups that help the community.
- The Beech Grove Promoters Club organizes the city's two main public events: the 3rd of July Fireworks and the Fall Festival (which started in 1959).
Other groups include the Masons, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Loyal Order of Moose. Posts for veterans, like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, are also active.
Transportation
Beech Grove has easy access to major roads, including Interstate 465. The city is also served by local public buses from Indianapolis' IndyGo system.
Street System
Beech Grove has its own way of numbering addresses, different from Indianapolis. Addresses are numbered from the intersection of Main Street and First Avenue.
The city's streets show two different styles of planning. The older part of the city, north of Churchman Avenue, has a grid pattern with straight roads. Newer streets built after World War II, especially south of Churchman Avenue, have curves and cul-de-sacs.
Some streets change names when they cross into Beech Grove from Indianapolis. For example, Indianapolis' Troy Avenue becomes Beech Grove's Albany Street.
Local News and Media
Beech Grove does not have its own daily newspaper. For many years, a free weekly newspaper called The Southside Times covered local news. It used to be known as the Perry Township Weekly.
The city does not have its own local radio or television station. It is part of the Indianapolis media market. However, it does have a local cable TV channel for government access on the Comcast system.
Activities for Young People
Many organizations in Beech Grove offer sports for kids. These include:
- Beech Grove Little League
- Beech Grove Athletic Boosters (for football, volleyball, basketball)
- Beech Grove Wrestling Club
- Beech Grove Girls Softball Association
- Beech Grove Soccer Club
- Beech Grove Swimming Club
Teams from Holy Name of Jesus School also play in the Indianapolis Catholic Youth Organization sports league.
The Scouting movement, including Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA, has a long history in Beech Grove. There are also active 4-H Clubs, which teach kids about agriculture and life skills.
