Hamilton, Clinton County, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hamilton
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 Hamilton, Clinton County, Indiana
Location in Clinton County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Clinton |
| Township | Madison |
| Founded | 1839 |
| Named for | Alexander Hamilton |
| Elevation | 807 ft (246 m) |
| ZIP code |
46058
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| FIPS code | 18-30582 |
| GNIS feature ID | 435637 |
Hamilton is a small, unincorporated community located in Madison Township, Clinton County, Indiana. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but no official local government. This community was named after Alexander Hamilton, an important figure in early American history.
History of Hamilton
How Hamilton Began
The land where Hamilton now stands was first settled around 1829 or 1830. Two early settlers, Jacob Stetler and John Gallinger, owned land next to each other. They were separated by what is now Hamilton Road.
Local stories say that these two men met under a tree one Sunday. They decided to work together to plan out a new town. This plan was officially surveyed on March 21, 1839. It was recorded about a month later, on April 19, 1839.
Early Life in Hamilton
The very first house in Hamilton was built by John Jamison. He was a saddler, someone who makes and repairs saddles. He also ran a small shop. Other stores soon opened, helping the community grow.
Hamilton had important people who helped it develop. Harvey Blacklidge opened the first blacksmith shop. A blacksmith works with metal, shaping it with heat and tools. Later, Samuel Hammel took over the blacksmith shop for many years.
One well-known person was Dr. John Connor, the village physician. He was a doctor who helped people in the area. Other important early citizens included Alfred Cornelison, a cobbler (shoe maker), and many others who helped build the community.
Why Hamilton Changed
For a while, Hamilton was a busy place with over a hundred people. It was a center for business in the area. However, a nearby town called Mulberry grew larger. Mulberry had the only railroad station in the township.
Because Mulberry had the railroad, it became more important for trade and travel. Hamilton slowly became smaller during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, Hamilton is a quiet community with only about a dozen homes.
