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Swanington, Indiana facts for kids

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Swanington, Indiana
Benton County's location in Indiana
Benton County's location in Indiana
Swanington, Indiana is located in Benton County, Indiana
Swanington, Indiana
Swanington, Indiana
Location in Benton County, Indiana
Country United States
State Indiana
County Benton
Township Center
Elevation
804 ft (245 m)
ZIP code
47944
Area code(s) 765
FIPS code 18-74492
GNIS feature ID 444465

Swanington is a small, unincorporated community located in Benton County, Indiana, in the United States. It is part of the larger Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area. This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a town or city.

The Story of Swanington

Benton County Railroad Map, circa 1896
Benton County Railroad map, circa 1896, showing the location of Swanington

Swanington was officially planned and laid out by a person named William Swan. This happened at a special spot where two important railway lines crossed paths. One railway, called the "Big Four," already ran from nearby Fowler. The other was the new Chicago, Attica and Southern Railroad.

Before it was called Swanington, this area was known as Wyndham. Some people think this name might have come from a town in Windham, Connecticut.

Life in Swanington in the 1920s

In the 1920s, Swanington was a busy little community. It had a general store where people could buy many different things. There was also a grain elevator, which is a tall building used to store grain like corn or wheat. Kids went to a local grade school, and families attended the United Brethren church. About 100 people lived in Swanington at that time.

Mail Services in Swanington

A post office was opened in Swanington in 1886. This allowed people to send and receive mail right in their community. The post office served the area for many years before it closed down in 1937.

Where is Swanington Located?

Swanington is found in Center Township, which is a part of Benton County, Indiana. You can find it by looking at the coordinates 40°35′00″N 87°16′38″W / 40.58333°N 87.27722°W / 40.58333; -87.27722. It is located southeast of Fowler and sits right on U.S. Route 52, which is a major highway.

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