Forest, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Forest
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 Forest, Indiana
Location in Clinton County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Clinton |
| Township | Forest |
| Founded | 1 September 1874 |
| Elevation | 883 ft (269 m) |
| ZIP code |
46039
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| FIPS code | 18-23926 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2830342 |
Forest is a small community located in Forest Township, Clinton County, Indiana. It is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a place where people live together, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Contents
Discovering Forest's Past
Forest has a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s. It started as a busy spot along a railroad line.
How Forest Began
Forest was officially started on September 1, 1874. A man named Henry Y. Morrison planned the community. He wanted it to be a stop along the Frankfort and Kokomo Railroad. This railroad later became known as the Clover Leaf Railroad.
The Story Behind the Name
The community got its name, Forest, because the area was once covered in many trees. When the first train tickets were sold there, they were even issued from a large oak tree stump! This shows how much the forest was a part of the community's beginning.
Early Community Life
In 1877, Forest got its own post office. C. G. R. Sims was the very first postmaster. This made it easier for people in Forest to send and receive mail.
The people of Forest were very involved in their community. They supported the Temperance movement. This was a movement where people wanted to limit or stop the sale of alcohol. In 1886, someone tried to open a saloon in Forest. However, the citizens strongly protested this idea.
Forest in the Early 1900s
Around 1913, Forest was a lively place with about 400 people living there. The community had a bank called Citizens Bank. There were also three churches: a Baptist church, a Methodist church, and a Christian Holiness church.
Many groups and clubs were active in Forest. These included the Odd Fellows for men and the Rebekahs for women. Other groups were the Knights of Pythias, the Masons, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Modern Woodmen of America. These groups helped bring people together and support the community.
Forest Today
By 2016, Forest had changed quite a bit. While it was once a very busy place, today only the post office and the three churches are still active. This shows how communities can change over time.
