kids encyclopedia robot

Seymour, Indiana facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Seymour, Indiana
LynnHotel.png
Nickname(s): 
"Crossroads of Southern Indiana"
Location of Seymour in Jackson County, Indiana.
Location of Seymour in Jackson County, Indiana.
Seymour, Indiana is located in the United States
Seymour, Indiana
Seymour, Indiana
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  Indiana
County Jackson
Townships Jackson, Redding, Rockford
Founding April 27, 1852
Incorporated (town) April 27, 1852
Incorporated (city) 1864
Founded by Meedy Shields
Named for Hezekiah Cook Seymour, Civil Engineer
Government
 • Type Mayor–council
Area
 • City 12.14 sq mi (31.43 km2)
 • Land 12.13 sq mi (31.42 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
602.91 ft (183.77 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City 21,569
 • Density 1,777.86/sq mi (686.41/km2)
 • Urban
21,579
Time zone UTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
Area code(s) 812 & 930
FIPS code 18-68832
GNIS feature ID 0443233

Seymour is a city in Jackson County, Indiana, United States. Its population was 21,569 at the 2020 census.

The city is noted for its location at the intersection of two major north–south and east–west railroads, which cross each other in the downtown area. The north–south line (the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad) was built in the 1840s and connected Indianapolis to the Ohio River at Jeffersonville. In 1852, Captain Meedy Shields persuaded Hezekiah Cook Seymour into building the eastwest railroad (the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad) through his land, and in return named the city in Seymour's honor. The firsts settlers arrived in the spring of 1853.

The companies Aisin USA and Rose Acre Farms are headquartered in Seymour, and Cummins operates a plant in the area. The city is also home to the 2nd largest high school gymnasium in the United States by seating capacity.

Geography

Seymour is located at 38°57′23″N 85°53′24″W / 38.95639°N 85.89000°W / 38.95639; -85.89000 (38.956350, -85.890068).

According to the 2010 census, Seymour has a total area of 11.425 square miles (29.59 km2), of which 11.42 square miles (29.58 km2) (or 99.96%) is land and 0.005 square miles (0.01 km2) (or 0.04%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Seymour has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 966
1870 2,372 145.5%
1880 4,250 79.2%
1890 5,337 25.6%
1900 6,445 20.8%
1910 6,305 −2.2%
1920 7,348 16.5%
1930 7,508 2.2%
1940 8,620 14.8%
1950 9,629 11.7%
1960 11,629 20.8%
1970 13,352 14.8%
1980 15,050 12.7%
1990 15,576 3.5%
2000 18,101 16.2%
2010 17,503 −3.3%
2020 21,569 23.2%
Source: US Census Bureau
Seymour 1st Presby Church 1
First Presbyterian Church

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 21,569 people and 7,866 households in the city. The population density was 1,532.7 inhabitants per square mile (591.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.2% White, 2.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.0% of the population.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,503 people, 6,907 households, and 4,514 families living in the city. The population density was 1,532.7 inhabitants per square mile (591.8/km2). There were 7,719 housing units at an average density of 675.9 per square mile (261.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 1.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.5% of the population.

There were 6,907 households, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 35.5 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.6% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

History

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 966
1870 2,372 145.5%
1880 4,250 79.2%
1890 5,337 25.6%
1900 6,445 20.8%
1910 6,305 −2.2%
1920 7,348 16.5%
1930 7,508 2.2%
1940 8,620 14.8%
1950 9,629 11.7%
1960 11,629 20.8%
1970 13,352 14.8%
1980 15,050 12.7%
1990 15,576 3.5%
2000 18,101 16.2%
2010 17,503 −3.3%
2015 (est.) 19,478 11.3%
Source: US Census Bureau
Seymour Farmers Club 1
Farmer's Club

Seymour was laid out and platted in 1852.

Seymour was the site of the World's first train robbery, in which the train was moving. It was committed by the local Reno Gang, on October 6, 1866 just east of town. The gang was put into prison for the robbery, and later lynched at Hangman's Crossing outside town.

The Freeman Field Mutiny occurred in 1945, in which African-American members of the 477th Bombardment Group attempted to integrate an all-white officers' club at Freeman Army Air Corps Base. The mutiny later led to the integration of the United States military.

Farmers Club, First Presbyterian Church (Seymour, Indiana), T. Harlan and Helen Montgomery House, Seymour Commercial Historic District, Southern Indiana Railroad Freighthouse, and George H. Vehslage House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Annual events

  • Victory over Japan Day VJ Day Parade ( Celebrates a victory of Japan in World War II, although with the cities large Japanese population, it's hotly debated as to whether the parade is appropriate or not.)
  • Oktoberfest The German Heritage around Seymour is the main theme of Seymour's Oktoberfest. First weekend in October, with children's rides, flea markets for three days and a parade on Saturday.
  • Pepsi Plunge: Annual age group swim meet that typically takes place in July of each year at the city pool in Shield's Park. This competitive event typically gathers near 1,000 competitive swimmers. The home-club for this swim meet is Seymour Swimming, also coached by Dave Boggs. This swim meet is USA Swimming sanctioned.

Nearby points of interest

  • Freeman Municipal Airport is a public use airport, and it is located at 2.6 miles (4.2 km) south-southwest of the downtown. During the World War II, it was the Freeman Army Airfield.
  • Brown County, Indiana is located at 25 miles (40 km) northwest of the downtown.
  • Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is located at 3 miles (5 km) east of the downtown.


Education

  • Seymour Community Schools operates Seymour High School.
  • Trinity Lutheran High School, a private educational institution for grades 9–12.
  • Seymour Public library, a branch of the Jackson County Public Library.

Transportation

Railroads

Southern Indiana Railroad Freighthouse in Seymour, southern side
The Southern Indiana Railroad Freighthouse in Seymour is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

The Pennsylvania Railroad succeeded the Jeffersonville Railroad (built northward). A Chessie System caboose is placed in front of the Blish Mill grain tower.

The Ohio and Mississippi Railway, built westward, was acquired by the Baltimore & Ohio in 1893. It has been operated by CSX since 1986.

The Evansville & Richmond Railroad (after 1910 the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern Railroad (CTH&SE), or "the Milwaukee") was built eastward toward Richmond, reached Seymour in 1890, and connected with New York Central in Westport. Trackage east of Seymour was "cut off" in 1961, and operations to Bedford closing in 1978.

The Interstate Public Service interurban lines reached Seymour from Columbus in October 1907. Interstate merged into Midland United Company, leased to Indiana Railway, and all trains south of Seymour stopped running to Louisville in September 1939. Operations continued north of Seymour to Indianapolis until a collision on September 8, 1941, that wrecked "the majority of the line's rolling stock."

Interstates

US Highways

  • US 31.svg U.S. Route 31
  • US 50.svg U.S. Route 50

Indiana State Roads

  • Indiana 11.svg State Road 11
  • Indiana 258.svg State Road 258

Notable people

Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese, 1954
Katie Stam
Katie Stam, 2014
Meedy White Shields
Teri Moren kneeling at courtside, 2020
Teri Moren, 2020
  • J. Ottis Adams, American impressionist painter
  • H. Foster Bain, was an American geologist who served as the 4th Director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines
  • Christopher Ryan Baker, American professional golfer
  • Danny "the Damaja" Basham, professional wrestler
  • Harold Bower, American basketball player
  • Jason B. Brown, Lawyer, Indiana State Representative and Senator, and US Congressman from March 4, 1889, though March 3, 1895.
  • Pat Calhoun, swimmer who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games
  • Royce Campbell, jazz guitarist, composer, producer
  • Hoagy Carmichael, jazz musician and Bloomington, IN native was a frequent guest of the Blish family
  • Jon Robert Cart, American flutist, piccoloist, and teacher
  • Larry Crane, American musician
  • Rolla Daringer, American MLB shortstop
  • John Dittmer, award-winning civil-rights historian, author, and Professor Emeritus of DePauw University
  • Scott Earl, retired MLB second baseman
  • Frank K. Edmondson, American astronomer
  • Paul Eggers, lawyer and two-time Republican nominee for governor of Texas in both 1968 and 1970
  • Brian Fish, men's basketball head coach, Montana State
  • Daniel M. Fleetwood, an American scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator.
  • Terry Goodin, former Indiana House of Representatives congressman
  • George Green, songwriting partner and longtime collaborator of John Mellencamp
  • Baron Hill, former Indiana 9th District U.S. Representative
  • Leroy Charles Hodapp, Methodist bishop
  • George L. Knox II, American Air Force fighter pilot who was one of 10 officers court martialed for mutiny at Freeman Field
  • Oren Ritter Lewis, American jurist
  • Jim Lucas, is an American politician and businessman
  • Margaret Read MacDonald, American writer
  • John Mellencamp, also known as John Cougar Mellencamp, musician, singer-songwriter, painter, and actor
  • Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, referred to mononymously as Kennedy is an American libertarian political commentator, radio personality, author, and former MTV VJ
  • Oscar H. Montgomery, Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court
  • Erica Moore, American middle-distance runner
  • Teri Moren, women's basketball head coach, Indiana University
  • Frank Niehaus, professional football player
  • Ella Scoble Opperman, American musician who entertained at the now-defunct Majestic Theater in Seymour
  • Dan Patch, harness racing champion horse who often raced at the local horse track, the 'Cyclone'
  • Pee Wee Reese, an American baseball player who played for the former 'Seymour Reds' during his minor league career
  • Rip Rogers, retired professional wrestler and trainer
  • Meedy Shields, pioneer, town founder, landowner and influential state senator
  • Robert Shields, minister and teacher whose personal diary earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records
  • Katie Stam, 2008 Miss Indiana and Miss America 2009
  • Steve Steinwedel, American college basketball coach
  • Gary Wagner, former MLB pitcher
  • Edgar Whitcomb, American attorney, writer and politician, who served as the 43rd Governor of Indiana, maintained a law practice and a home in Seymour for many years.
  • Rob Wiethoff, actor, John Marston in Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Anthony Winchester, American college basketball coach
  • Coleman Young, American Air Force Officer, politician, and participant in the mutiny at Freeman Field

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Seymour (Indiana) para niños

kids search engine
Seymour, Indiana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.