Prairieton, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Prairieton, Indiana
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Vigo County's location in Indiana
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 Prairieton, Indiana
Location in Vigo County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Vigo |
| Township | Prairieton |
| Elevation | 479 ft (146 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47802
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| Area code(s) | 812, 930 |
| FIPS code | 18-61758 |
| GNIS feature ID | 441563 |
Prairieton is a small place in Vigo County, Indiana, in the United States. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of the larger county.
Prairieton is located in Prairieton Township, which is a smaller area within Vigo County. It's quite close to Terre Haute, Indiana, a bigger city nearby. Because of this, many people who live in Prairieton travel to Terre Haute for work or shopping. This makes Prairieton a "commuter town." You can easily get to Terre Haute using Indiana State Road 63.
Prairieton is also considered part of the larger Terre Haute metropolitan area. This means it's connected to the economic and social life of Terre Haute.
Contents
Discovering Prairieton's Past
Prairieton has a long and interesting history. It was officially planned out on July 22, 1837, by a person named Robert Hoggatt. The community was built near a stream called Honey Creek. It was also located along an old wagon road that led to Vincennes, Indiana.
Early Beginnings: Hoggatt's Store
Before it was called Prairieton, the area was known as Hoggatt's Store. Around 1818, Moses Hoggatt set up a post office and a store there. He was one of the first shopkeepers in the area. Later, his son, Robert Hoggatt, took over the store.
Quaker Influence and Growth
In the early days, a group of people called the Quakers had a strong influence in this prairie area. They were important in shaping the community. Prairieton officially became an incorporated town in 1870. By 1890, it had grown to have about 236 people living there.
The Post Office Story
The post office in Prairieton has been around for a very long time. It first opened in 1818 under the name "Hoggatts." In 1840, its name was changed to Prairieton, and it's still in operation today!
