Pickard, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pickard
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 Pickard, Indiana
Location in Clinton County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Clinton |
| Township | Sugar Creek |
| Named for | Jacob Pickard |
| Elevation | 929 ft (283 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code |
46050, 46069
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| FIPS code | 18-59544 |
| GNIS feature ID | 441098 |
Pickard is a small, unincorporated community located in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Indiana. An unincorporated community means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. This community was named after Jacob Pickard, who used to run a sawmill there.
Contents
The Story of Pickard
How Pickard Got Its Name
The community of Pickard is named after a man called Jacob Pickard. He owned and operated a sawmill in the area. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber using large saws.
The sawmill was first located in a different town called Jefferson. But then, three men named James M. Ward, Jack Hill, and Frank McMannis moved it. They brought the sawmill to a new spot, which was then called Hillsborough.
Jacob Pickard later took over the sawmill. Because of his work and the mill, the town became known as Pickard's Mill.
Early Businesses and Services
In 1844, James Ward planned out the community of Pickard's Mill. He also opened the very first store there. This store would have sold many important goods for the people living in the area.
Other important services soon followed. Robert Boyer was the first blacksmith in Pickard. A blacksmith is someone who makes and repairs things out of metal. Doctors Cooper and Williams were the first physicians, providing medical care. Thomas Puckit became the first postmaster, helping with mail services.
The Steam-Powered Mill
The original sawmill was replaced in 1851. A new, more advanced sawmill was built. This one was powered by steam, which was a big improvement for the time.
This steam-powered mill could do more than just cut wood. It also had millstones. Millstones are large, heavy stones used to grind grains. This meant the mill could also grind wheat and corn into flour.
The "Tailholt" Nickname
Some of the first people living in Pickard had a nickname for the town: "Tailholt." When they wanted to set up a post office, they asked for it to be named Tailholt. However, the postal authorities decided to keep the official name as Pickard's Mill.
There was a belief that the famous poet James Whitcomb Riley wrote a poem called "The Little Town o' Tailholt" about this community. But it turns out the poem was actually inspired by a different town. That town was also called Tailholt, but it was located in Hancock County. It is now known as Finly.
