Otis, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otis, Indiana
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St. Mary's Catholic Church, Otis
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 Otis, Indiana
Location in Indiana
Otis, Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | LaPorte |
| Township | New Durham |
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| ZIP code |
46391
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| FIPS code | 18-57204 |
| GNIS feature ID | 440729 |
Otis is a small community in Indiana, USA. It's not a city or a town with its own local government. Instead, it's part of a larger area called New Durham Township, located in LaPorte County.
Contents
A Look Back at Otis
Early Days and Names
Otis began as a small settlement in 1851. The Michigan Southern Railroad helped the community grow. They named the spot Salem Crossing. Later, around 1870, the village was officially mapped out. At that time, it was known as LaCroix, thanks to the Monon Railroad.
An Important Stop During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, LaCroix became a very important place. All soldiers from northern Indiana had to travel through LaCroix on Monon troop trains heading south. The community was very busy with soldiers coming and going. Hotels and shops did well, providing rooms, food, and goods to the troops.
Lincoln's Funeral Train
A very special event happened along the Monon tracks. The funeral train carrying the body of assassinated President Abraham Lincoln traveled through LaCroix on its way to Illinois. The train was not supposed to stop there. However, a huge crowd had gathered around the train while it was refueling. Because so many people were waiting, officials allowed them to view the fallen president's body.
How Otis Got Its Name
After the Civil War, some people still called the town Salem Crossing, which caused confusion. To fix this, the town was named after the district's congressman, General Packard. In 1872, General Packard himself suggested the name Otis. Today, Otis is still a small unincorporated community. Many of its residents are farmers or people who travel to nearby towns for work.
