Monticello, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monticello, Indiana
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Monticello Carnegie Library
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| Motto(s):
"Life With A Splash"
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Location of Monticello in White County, Indiana
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Indiana | |
| County | White | |
| Township | Union | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.68 sq mi (9.53 km2) | |
| • Land | 3.47 sq mi (8.98 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2) 5.96% | |
| Elevation | 682 ft (208 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,508 | |
| • Density | 1,589.15/sq mi (613.61/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
47960
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| Area code(s) | 574 | |
| FIPS code | 18-50760 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395383 | |
| Website | http://www.monticelloin.gov | |
Monticello (pronounced MON-tiss-EL-oh) is a city in Indiana, United States. It is the main city and government center of White County. In 2020, about 5,508 people lived there. Monticello is a popular place for tourists in north-central Indiana. It is known for Indiana Beach, an amusement park located on Lake Shafer, and also for Lake Freeman.
Contents
History of Monticello
Monticello was started in 1834. It was chosen to be the main city for White County. A post office was opened in the same year and is still working today. The city was named after Monticello, the home of former President Thomas Jefferson in Virginia.
Major Events in Monticello's History
On April 3, 1974, a very strong tornado hit Monticello, Indiana. This tornado was part of a huge storm system called the 1974 Super Outbreak. This outbreak caused a lot of damage and deaths across the Midwest and Southern United States. The tornado that hit Monticello was very powerful. It caused about $100 million in damage and sadly killed eight people. After the storm, news reports said that the damage in Monticello looked like a World War II bombing.
On September 2, 2005, a large factory called Jordan Manufacturing caught fire. This company made outdoor furniture like chairs and umbrellas. The fire was so big that firefighters from seven nearby towns had to help put it out. The fire caused chemicals to spread over four city blocks. This event had a big impact on Monticello because Jordan Manufacturing was one of the last big factories left in the city after a tough economic time in the 2000s.
Several important buildings in Monticello are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Monticello Carnegie Library, the James Culbertson Reynolds House, and the South Grade School Building.
Geography and Location
Monticello is located at 40 degrees, 44 minutes, 48 seconds North and 86 degrees, 45 minutes, 55 seconds West. This means it is in the northern part of Indiana.
The city covers a total area of about 3.68 square miles (9.53 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.47 square miles (8.98 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.21 square miles (0.55 square kilometers), is water, mainly from the nearby lakes.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 565 | — | |
| 1870 | 887 | 57.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,193 | 34.5% | |
| 1890 | 1,518 | 27.2% | |
| 1900 | 2,107 | 38.8% | |
| 1910 | 2,168 | 2.9% | |
| 1920 | 2,536 | 17.0% | |
| 1930 | 2,331 | −8.1% | |
| 1940 | 3,153 | 35.3% | |
| 1950 | 3,467 | 10.0% | |
| 1960 | 4,035 | 16.4% | |
| 1970 | 4,869 | 20.7% | |
| 1980 | 5,162 | 6.0% | |
| 1990 | 5,237 | 1.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,723 | 9.3% | |
| 2010 | 5,378 | −6.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,508 | 2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 5,378 people living in Monticello. The city had 2,179 households. About 90.8% of the people were White. About 12.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Monticello was 40.4 years. About 24% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Arts and Culture in Monticello
Monticello is a popular place for tourists, especially because of its lakes and campgrounds. The most famous attraction is Indiana Beach, an amusement park right on Lake Shafer. It has many rides and shows for families to enjoy.
Another fun activity is taking a cruise on the Madam Carroll. This boat is docked on Lake Freeman and offers scenic tours of the lake. Sometimes, they even have dinner cruises with live entertainment.
In 2020, there was news that Indiana Beach might close. However, a new owner stepped in, and the park is now open again for everyone to enjoy!
Education in Monticello
The schools in Monticello are part of the Twin Lakes School Corporation. The elementary schools are Eastlawn, Oaklawn, and Meadowlawn. Older students attend Roosevelt Middle School and Twin Lakes High School.
After the 1974 tornado, Twin Lakes High School was badly damaged. Students had to go to classes in local churches and then in temporary buildings while the school was rebuilt.
The town also has a public library, called the Monticello-Union Township Public Library. It is a great place to borrow books and learn new things.
Notable People from Monticello
Many interesting people have come from Monticello, including:
- DJ Ashba (born 1972), a rock musician.
- W. E. Biederwolf (1867–1939), a famous speaker.
- BJ Hollars (born 1984), an American author and artist.
- Gregory Wasson (born 1958), who used to be the president and CEO of Walgreens.
Images for kids
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The James Culbertson Reynolds House, a historic building in Monticello.
See also
In Spanish: Monticello (Indiana) para niños
