Port Fulton, Indiana facts for kids

Port Fulton's Main Street, as it appears today as part of Jeffersonville.

Port Fulton was a small town that used to be near Louisville. Today, it's part of Jeffersonville, Indiana. At its biggest, Port Fulton stretched from the Ohio River to what is now 10th Street.

Port Fulton: A Town for Steamboats

Port Fulton was started in 1835 by a man named Victor Neff. It was named after Robert Fulton, who invented steamboats. The town quickly became a popular place for people who worked with boats.

Important Families and Businesses

• Henry French, a famous steamboat builder, lived there.
• The Howard Family, who were also important in the steamboat business, lived in Port Fulton.
• The shipyards owned by French and Howard later became a big company called Jeffboat.

Becoming Part of Jeffersonville

In April 1853, the nearby city of Jeffersonville tried to make Port Fulton part of its own city. But the people of Port Fulton didn't want that, so they stopped it from happening.

Civil War Hospital

During the American Civil War, Port Fulton was home to Jefferson General Hospital. This was the third-largest hospital during the war. It was set up in a large estate that the Union army took over.

Population Changes and Annexation

• In 1880, Port Fulton had 907 people.
• By 1900, the population grew to 1,104.
• However, by 1920, the population dropped to 971.

Because the population went down, Jeffersonville was finally able to make Port Fulton part of its city in 1926.

Gallery

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  Henry French House

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  Howard Mansion

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  Jefferson General Hospital