Pennville, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pennville, Indiana
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Downtown Pennville
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Location of Pennville in Jay County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Jay |
| Township | Penn |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2) |
| • Land | 0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 879 ft (268 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 621 |
| • Density | 1,249.50/sq mi (482.18/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47369
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| Area code(s) | 260 |
| FIPS code | 18-58788 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396853 |
Pennville is a small town in Jay County, Indiana, United States. It is located within Penn Township. In 2020, about 621 people lived there.
Contents
History of Pennville
The story of Pennville began in 1834. Two men, Samuel Grisell and Moses Hamilton, came from Ohio looking for land. They found a good spot in Jay County, Indiana.
Founding and Name Changes
On February 10, 1835, Samuel Grisell bought 160 acres of land. Moses Hamilton was the first to move there, and Grisell followed soon after. It is believed that Grisell planned the town in August 1836. He named it New Lisbon, possibly after a town in his home county in Ohio.
However, the name New Lisbon did not last long. Around 1837, the town's name changed to Camden. This was because there was already another town called New Lisbon in Indiana.
Quakers and the Post Office
Samuel Grisell was a member of the Hicksite Quakers. This group of Quakers believed in simple living. By 1841, Quaker meetings were held in Camden.
A post office opened in Camden on January 19, 1839. But the post office could not use the name Camden. There was already a post office with that name in Carroll County, Indiana. So, the new post office was named Penn. Grisell chose this name because he admired William Penn, a famous Quaker.
Over time, the town became known as Pennville. This happened because the old town corporation had ended, and the post office was called Penn. In 1905, people asked for the town to be officially named Pennville.
Schools and Transportation
Pennville has had two high schools. The first one opened around 1890 and closed in 1910. The second Pennville High School was built in 1911. It stayed open until 1975.
In 1975, schools from five communities in Jay County joined together. This created Jay County High School.
From 1903 to 1917, a railroad called the Cincinnati, Bluffton and Chicago Railroad ran through Pennville.
Underground Railroad History
Pennville and the area around it have a rich history with the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. The Hicksite Quakers, who founded Pennville, were strong supporters of ending slavery.
About 2.5 miles north of Pennville, there is a marker. It shows where the home of Jimmy and Rachel Silliven was. Their home was an important "station" on the Underground Railroad. A local story says that Eliza Harris, a character from the famous book Uncle Tom's Cabin, stopped at the Silliven home on her journey to freedom in Canada.
Geography of Pennville
Pennville is located along the Salamonie River. The town covers an area of about 0.5 square miles (1.29 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 697 | — | |
| 1900 | 773 | 10.9% | |
| 1910 | 800 | 3.5% | |
| 1920 | 646 | −19.2% | |
| 1930 | 578 | −10.5% | |
| 1940 | 598 | 3.5% | |
| 1950 | 626 | 4.7% | |
| 1960 | 730 | 16.6% | |
| 1970 | 798 | 9.3% | |
| 1980 | 805 | 0.9% | |
| 1990 | 637 | −20.9% | |
| 2000 | 706 | 10.8% | |
| 2010 | 701 | −0.7% | |
| 2020 | 621 | −11.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Details
In 2010, Pennville had 701 people living there. There were 292 households and 180 families. The town had about 1402 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Pennville were White (97.1%). About 3.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in town was 39.6 years. About 25.5% of residents were under 18 years old.
Community Services
Pennville Volunteer Fire Department
The Pennville Volunteer Fire Department helps keep the town safe. It is located at 105 North Washington Street. The department started in 1919. Today, it has about 33 volunteers. In 2004, the department received a grant to buy a new fire tank.
Penn Township Public Library
The Penn Township Public Library is at 195 Union Street. It has almost 10,000 books and other items. The library serves about 1,300 people in the area.
Cornerstone Church of Pennville
This church is located at 160 West Main Street. It used to be called Pennville United Methodist Church. The current church building was finished in 1917.
Cemeteries
Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery is also known as Quaker Cemetery. It is on a hill at the east end of town. Many of Pennville's first settlers are buried here. This includes Samuel Grisell, who planned the town in 1836.
IOOF Cemetery
This is the largest cemetery in the Pennville area. It is about 1.5 miles east of town. More than 4,000 people are buried here. This includes many soldiers who fought in the American Civil War.
Places of Interest
Chandlee-Gregg-Hedges House
Pennville has one of the oldest houses in Jay County. It is called the Chandlee-Gregg-Hedges house. Goldsmith Chandlee built it between 1836 and 1841. You can find this historic house at 129 West Lagro Street.
Twin Hills
The Twin Hills are about 2-3 miles east-northeast of Pennville. These hills were formed by ancient glaciers. They are about 100-150 feet high and are mostly made of gravel and sand. Only one of the hills is still complete today.
There is also a local legend about Twin Hills. A young couple was having a picnic there long ago. The story says the man killed the woman. Her ghost is sometimes seen haunting the area.
Notable People from Pennville
- Jim Paxson Sr. (1932-2014) – He was a professional basketball player. His sons, Jim Paxson and John Paxson, also became NBA players.
See also
In Spanish: Pennville (Indiana) para niños
