Beech Grove, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beech Grove, Indiana
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Beech Grove City Hall in 2023
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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 |
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| State |  Indiana |
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| County | Marion | ||
| Townships | Perry, Franklin, Center, Warren | ||
| 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 | ||
Beech Grove is a city in Marion County, Indiana, USA. It's a special place with a population of about 14,717 people, according to the 2020 census. Even though it's surrounded by Indianapolis, Beech Grove has its own unique government and services. It's like a city within a city!
Contents
- Exploring Beech Grove's History
- Geography and Climate of Beech Grove
- People of Beech Grove
- How Beech Grove is Governed
- Education in Beech Grove
- Healthcare in Beech Grove
- Places of Worship
- Community Groups and Events
- Getting Around Beech Grove
- Local News and Media
- Fun Activities for Kids and Teens
- See also
Exploring Beech Grove's History
How Beech Grove Began
At the start of the 1900s, the area where Beech Grove now stands was mostly farmland. Famous people like poet Sarah T. Bolton and financier Francis McClintock Churchman lived here. 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!
A Railroad Town is Born
Beech Grove officially became a city because of the railroad. The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad built a large repair facility here, called the Beech Grove Shops. This made Beech Grove a "company town," meaning it grew up around a big business. Over the years, other railroad companies like Amtrak have run these shops. Today, Amtrak still uses this huge facility, which covers 108 acres!
Beech Grove was founded in 1906. It grew quickly after the railroad facility was finished in 1908. The city expanded even more after World War II.
Famous Faces from Beech Grove
Did you know that two famous actors were born in Beech Grove?
- Clifton Webb (1889–1966) was born before the city was officially established.
- Steve McQueen (1930–1980) was born at the city's St. Francis Hospital.
In 1948, Harry S. Truman, who was the President of the United States, even visited Beech Grove!
Geography and Climate of Beech Grove
Where is Beech Grove?
Beech Grove covers about 4.39 square miles (11.57 square kilometers) of land. The city's elevation, or how high it is above sea level, ranges from 766 to 845 feet. This is actually higher than downtown Indianapolis!
Waterways and Neighborhoods
Several small streams flow through Beech Grove, including Beech Creek and McFarland Creek. These streams eventually join Lick Creek, which then flows into the White River.
The city is part of four different townships in Marion County: Perry, Franklin, Center, and Warren.
Beech Grove's Weather
Beech Grove has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and winters that are generally mild to cool.
People of Beech Grove
| 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 | |||
Population Snapshot
According to the 2020 census, Beech Grove had 14,717 residents. The city's population density was about 3,293 people per square mile.
Diversity in the City
In 2010, the city's population was mostly White (91.5%). Other groups included African American (3.2%), Asian (0.7%), and Native American (0.3%). About 4.2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Age Groups
The median age in Beech Grove in 2010 was 37.7 years.
- About 24.6% of residents were under 18 years old.
- About 14.9% were 65 years or older.
How Beech Grove is Governed
City Services
Beech Grove is an "excluded city," which means it manages its own local services. It has its own police department, public works, and parks. It also runs a center for senior citizens. In 2021, the city council decided that the Indianapolis Fire Department would provide fire protection for Beech Grove. However, the city still operates its own ambulance service.
The Beech Grove Police Department has honored officers who died while serving the community. Officer Brian Elliott was one of these brave officers, who died on February 16, 2026.
City Leaders
Beech Grove's government started as a "Town Board" in 1906. Later, in 1935, it became a city and elected its first mayor and city council members. Today, the city council has five district members and two members who represent the whole city, plus an elected clerk-treasurer.
Here are some of the mayors who have led Beech Grove:
- Charles Adams (1935–1942)
- E. Allen Hunter (1943–1948 and 1952–1955)
- Richard H. Byland (1948–1951)
- David D. Finney (1956–1958)
- Elton H. Geshwiler (1959–1991)
- J. Warner Wiley (1991–2003)
- Donald "Joe" Wright (2004–2011)
- John Jennings (interim, 2011)
- Terry Dilk (2011)
- Dennis Buckley (2012–2023)
- James W. Coffman (2024–present)
The City Flag
Beech Grove adopted its city flag in the 1970s after a design competition. The flag is blue with an orange, black, and white logo. The logo shows an old-style train, representing the city's railroad history. It also features the tower of St. Francis Hospital and the city's motto: "Where Tradition Welcomes Progress."
Education in Beech Grove
Local Schools
Beech Grove has its own school district, the Beech Grove City Schools. This district includes five schools: Hornet Park, Central Elementary, South Grove Intermediate, Beech Grove Middle, and Beech Grove High School. The high school sports teams are called the "Hornets" and their colors are orange and black.
The first school in Beech Grove opened in 1907. Over the years, new schools were built as the city grew. Hornet Park now offers kindergarten and first-grade classes, and also has meeting rooms and exercise facilities for the community.
Sports and Music Achievements
The Beech Grove Hornets have won two Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) State Championships in basketball!
- The girls' team won in 2003. A player from that team, Katie Gearlds, won the "Miss Basketball" award for the entire state. She later played in the WNBA.
- The boys' team won its State Championship in 2022.
The "Marching Hornets" band program has also achieved great success. They have made it to the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Band Finals many times, placing 2nd in Class C in 2011 and 5th in Class B in 2017.
Other Educational Options
Within the city, you can also find the 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 Roncalli High School.
The Public Library
Beech Grove has a public library that is now a branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. The two library systems merged in 2016, making the Beech Grove library the 23rd branch of the Indianapolis system.
Healthcare in Beech Grove
Franciscan Health Indianapolis, once known as St. Francis Hospital, was founded in Beech Grove in 1914. The hospital in Beech Grove closed in 2012, as most medical services moved to a newer hospital campus nearby.
Places of Worship
Beech Grove has many churches, some of which have been around since the city's early days.
- The Blessed Sacrament Parish (Roman Catholic Church), now called Holy Name of Jesus Parish, started in 1908.
- The Beech Grove United Methodist Church also began in 1908.
- The Beech Grove Christian Church started from meetings 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 independent community churches like Body of Christ Fellowship.
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, which were once part of a Catholic high school for girls.
Community Groups and Events
Beech Grove has many active community groups.
- Service clubs like Lions International and Kiwanis help the city.
- The local Beech Grove Promoters Club organizes two main public festivals: the 3rd of July Fireworks and the Fall Festival in September.
There are also lodges for groups like the Free and Accepted Masons, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Loyal Order of Moose. Posts for veterans, such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, are also active.
Getting Around Beech Grove
Roads and Public Transit
Beech Grove has easy access to Interstate 465. The city is also served by local public bus routes from Indianapolis' IndyGo system. These routes connect different parts of Beech Grove and link it to Indianapolis.
Street Layout
The city has a unique address-numbering system. Addresses are numbered from the intersection of Main Street and First Avenue.
Beech Grove's streets show two different planning styles. The older part of the city has a grid pattern. Newer streets, built after World War II, have more curves and cul-de-sacs. Some streets even change names when you cross into or out of Beech Grove! For example, Indianapolis' Troy Avenue becomes Beech Grove's Albany Street.
Local News and Media
Beech Grove doesn't have a daily newspaper. For many years, local news was covered by a free weekly newspaper called The Southside Times. This paper moved its office in 2012. The city also has its own cable TV channel on the Comcast system. An online newspaper, The Indiana Commons, which focuses on civic engagement, is also based in Beech Grove.
Fun Activities for Kids and Teens
Youth Sports
Many organizations in Beech Grove offer sports for young people:
- 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
Students from Holy Name of Jesus School also play sports like football and basketball in the Indianapolis Catholic Youth Organization league.
Scouting and Clubs
Scouting has a long history in Beech Grove, with both Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA troops. The city also has an active chapter of the 4-H Club, which is a great way for young people to learn new skills and get involved in their community.
See also
In Spanish: Beech Grove (Indiana) para niños
