Sweetser, Indiana facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Sweetser, Indiana
Town
Welcome to Sweetser, Indiana.
Location of Sweetser in Grant County, Indiana.
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Grant
Township	Franklin, Pleasant, Richland
Area
• Total	1.01 sq mi (2.62 km²)
• Land	1.01 sq mi (2.61 km²)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km²)
Elevation	846 ft (258 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	1,075
• Density	1,066.47/sq mi (411.67/km²)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	46987
Area code(s)	765
FIPS code	18-74546
GNIS feature ID	2397691
Website	http://www.sweetserin.com/

Sweetser is a small town in Grant County, Indiana, United States. It's located across three different areas called townships: Franklin, Pleasant, and Richland. In 2020, about 1,075 people lived here.

Sweetser's Past: A Look at History

How Sweetser Got Its Name

Sweetser started thanks to a railroad! In 1867, the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad was built through this area. Around 1869, a special track, called a "switch," was added. This switch was used to move wood to a train refueling station.

This small switch became the center of a new community. Railroad workers started calling the place "Switch." Over time, the name changed to "Switzer," and then finally to "Sweetser."

Early Days and Growth

The official map of Sweetser was created on October 14, 1871. Several people, including Sanford Prater and John Hubert, helped set up the town. The land itself was first recorded back in 1848 by Samuel Blinn.

More parts were added to the town in the following years. Nuzum's addition came in 1873, and Wilcut's, McGee's, Bishop's, and Nuzum's 2nd additions were all added in 1874.

Businesses and Changes

The first businesses in Sweetser were located north of the railroad on Main Street. There was a sawmill, which is a place that cuts wood. Sweetser also had stores selling dry goods, a blacksmith shop (where metal was shaped), a jeweler, and even a saloon.

As more people moved to Sweetser, the sawmill was taken down. A new schoolhouse was built in its place. The old schoolhouse was replaced by a large building called a grain elevator, used for storing grain.

Natural Gas and New Factories

A big change happened in 1885 when natural gas was discovered near Sweetser. This discovery helped the town grow even more. In 1893, the Brickner Window Glass Company opened. This factory made glass and brought many new workers to Sweetser, even from other states. The glass factory was also known as Schick & Hawkins Window Glass Company.

Between 1884 and 1894, five more areas were added to Sweetser: Thompson's, Sherron's (three times), and Hawkins. A hotel called the Vardaman Hotel was built to house the many people working at the glass factory.

Another important business was the Friermood Tile Factory, which started in 1888. It made tiles used to drain water from the land around Sweetser into Pipe Creek.

Sweetser's Location and Features

Sweetser is located on State Road 18. It sits between the town of Converse and the city of Marion. The town covers about 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers) of land. Only a tiny part is water.

Pipe Creek and the Sweetser Switch Trail

A small creek called Pipe Creek runs along the edge of Sweetser. You can see Pipe Creek from the Sweetser Switch Trail. This trail is one of Sweetser's most popular spots.

The Sweetser Switch Trail is a walking path that goes through the whole town. It also stretches three miles outside of town. While it's great for walking, you can also bike, cross-country ski, run, or use wheelchairs on the trail. A fun new addition to the trail is a statue of Garfield, the famous cartoon cat!

People of Sweetser: Demographics

Who Lives in Sweetser?

The word "demographics" helps us understand who lives in a town. In 2010, Sweetser had 1,229 people living there. There were 494 households, which are groups of people living together. Most of the people living in Sweetser were White (95.2%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 4.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Age and Households

The average age in Sweetser in 2010 was 40.5 years old.

About 25% of residents were under 18 years old.
About 7% were between 18 and 24 years old.
About 22% were between 25 and 44 years old.
About 29% were between 45 and 64 years old.
About 16% were 65 years old or older.

Most households (60.5%) were married couples living together. About 26% of households were made up of individuals living alone or groups of unrelated people.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	246	—
1960	896	—
1970	1,076	20.1%
1980	944	−12.3%
1990	924	−2.1%
2000	906	−1.9%
2010	1,229	35.7%
2020	1,075	−12.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

News and Media in Sweetser

The first newspaper in Sweetser was called the Sun Sentinel, which started before 1894. Today, people in Sweetser can read the daily Marion Chronicle-Tribune and the weekly Oak Hill Times.

Places of Worship: Churches

Sweetser has several churches. The Lutheran church, called St. Paul's, started meeting in 1865. They built their church building in 1896. The Cart Creek Church of the Brethren began in 1893. The Sweetser Church of the Brethren was formed from this group in 1959.

The Methodist Church first mentioned Sweetser in 1875. Their first church was on Main Street and State Road 18. Today, Sweetser is home to the Sweetser United Methodist Church, the Sweetser Wesleyan Church, and Liberty Baptist Church.

Keeping Sweetser Safe: Police and Fire

The town's safety is handled by the Town Marshal and their deputies and reserve officers. Fire protection is provided by the Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Department. This is an all-volunteer group that works from the fire station on State Road 18 and Main Street.

Town Services: Utilities

Sweetser residents get their water from individual wells at their homes. Sewage from the town is sent to nearby Marion for treatment. The Sweetser Telephone Company provides landline telephone service. It's one of the larger independent phone companies in Indiana.

Fun and Games: Parks and Recreation

Sweetser has great places for fun and exercise!

Sweetser Switch Trail

The Sweetser Switch Trail is a three-mile paved path right in the middle of town. At the start of the trail, you'll find two old, restored railcars and a statue of Garfield the cat! There are also restrooms, parking, and water available. The trail connects to the Cardinal Greenway in Marion, about one mile east of Main Street.

Pawadise Park

Pawadise Park is a special dog park located along the Sweetser Switch Trail. It opened in 2012 and was built entirely with donations. Dogs of all sizes can run and play unleashed here. The park has two separate areas: one for large dogs and one for small dogs. There's even a small area where pet owners can remember their beloved pets.

Gallery

Restored rail cars and statue of Garfield on the Sweetser Switch Trail
Veteran's Memorial on Sweetser Switch Trail
Sweetser Cafe
Sweetser Garfield and train cars

Learning in Sweetser: Education

Sweetser is part of the Oak Hill School District. The town has its own school, Sweetser Elementary School. Residents of Sweetser can get a free library card from the Converse-Jackson Township Public Library in Converse.

Sweetser Celebrations: Festivals and Events

Sweetser hosts some fun events throughout the year!

Pumpkin Walk

The annual Pumpkin Walk is a community parade held on Main Street around Halloween. It includes costume contests and pumpkin carving contests.

Farmers Market

The Sweetser's Farmers Market runs every Saturday from June through September. You can find it at the Sweetser Elementary School.

Famous People from Sweetser

Keith O'Conner Murphy: A singer-songwriter who is in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.