Rob Roy, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rob Roy, Indiana
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Rob Roy covered bridge
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Fountain County's location in Indiana
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 Rob Roy, Indiana
Location in Fountain County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Fountain |
| Township | Shawnee |
| Named for | Rob Roy |
| Elevation | 637 ft (194 m) |
| ZIP code |
47918
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| FIPS code | 18-65178 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2830373 |
Rob Roy is a small place in Fountain County, Indiana. It is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Rob Roy is located in Shawnee Township.
History
How Rob Roy Got Its Name
The community of Rob Roy was named after a famous Scottish hero. His name was Robert Roy MacGregor. A local man named John I. Foster chose the name. He loved to read books, especially the novels by Walter Scott. John Foster was also an inventor and worked with iron. He lived in Rob Roy for about six or seven years. During that time, he also started a Methodist church there.
Growing Up and Shrinking Down
Rob Roy was first planned out around 1826. It had 48 building plots. A few years later, in 1829, Hiram Jones added more plots on the east side. In 1833, someone wrote that Rob Roy was a small village. It didn't have many people, but it was growing.
By 1836, Rob Roy had become a busy place. It had five stores that sold different goods. There were also four grocery stores and a hotel. Three doctors worked in the community. Rob Roy was in the middle of a very active area. When the Chicago and Block Coal Railway came through, it helped the community grow even more.
However, a nearby town called Attica was also growing. Attica was located on the Wabash and Erie Canal. This canal was a major way to transport goods. Because Attica had this advantage, it became more successful. Eventually, this competition caused Rob Roy to decline.
What Happened Next?
Rob Roy had its own post office starting in 1832. But it closed down in 1906. This was a sign that the community was getting smaller.
In April 1953, a strong tornado caused a lot of damage to Rob Roy. Today, Rob Roy is a quiet place. It is mostly a small group of homes.
