Vallonia, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vallonia, Indiana
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The Joseph Jackson Hotel, a historic site in the community
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Location of Vallonia in Jackson County, Indiana
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 Vallonia, Indiana
Location in Indiana
Vallonia, Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Jackson |
| Townships | Driftwood, Brownstown |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2) |
| • Land | 0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 379 |
| • Density | 501.32/sq mi (193.61/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-4:00 (EDT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5:00 |
| ZIP code |
47281
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| FIPS code | 18-78290 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2629880 |
Vallonia is a small community in Jackson County, Indiana, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community and a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a recognized place by the census but doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Vallonia has a rich history, especially as an 18th-century French settlement and a 19th-century American frontier fort called Fort Vallonia. In 2010, about 336 people lived there.
Contents
History of Vallonia
Fort Vallonia's Beginnings
Vallonia started as a French settlement in the late 1700s. It was located between the Muscatatuck River and the East Fork of the White River. Around 1810, there were conflicts between the settlers and Native American tribes.
To protect the nearly 90 families living in the area, Governor General William Henry Harrison ordered a fort to be built. This fort, known as Fort Vallonia, included a large stockade, a garrison (a group of soldiers), blockhouses (small forts), and a spring for water. During the War of 1812, two groups of soldiers called Indiana Rangers were stationed there.
Other Forts and Skirmishes
Besides Fort Vallonia, there were two other smaller forts nearby: Huff's Fort and Ketcham's Fort. Huff's Fort was located "higher up" the river, and Ketcham's was "still above" that.
One time, a group of Indiana Rangers went to check on reports of a Native American war party near Brownstown. They didn't find anyone, so they headed back to Fort Vallonia. However, one ranger named Robert Sturgeon rode ahead. He was attacked and killed by Native Americans. The other Rangers panicked and rode back to the fort without helping him. Five civilians later left the fort to get Sturgeon's body and buried it nearby.
When Major John Tipton arrived and heard what happened, he took charge of the fort. He started regular training drills for the soldiers. Later, the Rangers had a chance to prove themselves in a fight known as the Battle of Tipton's Island.
War of 1812 Conflicts
During the War of 1812, there were many attacks and small battles between the Rangers from Fort Vallonia and Native American groups. These attacks in the Indiana Territory became less frequent after a special trip was made to destroy a Miami village.
This trip started from Fort Vallonia on July 1, 1813. It was led by Colonel William Russell with the Indiana Rangers and Major Zachary Taylor with the 7th Infantry Regiment, plus some volunteers from Kentucky. The group traveled about 500 miles. They destroyed the village, which had been strongly fortified by Tecumseh, but they didn't meet any Native Americans during their journey.
Later Growth
Vallonia was officially mapped out and recognized as a community in 1853.
Geography
Vallonia is located in the southwestern part of Jackson County. It sits on the southeast side of the valley of the East Fork of the White River. Indiana State Road 135 runs through the community. This road goes northeast about 4 miles to Brownstown, which is the main town of the county. It also goes south about 18 miles to Salem.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Vallonia area covers about 0.76 square miles (1.97 square kilometers). Almost all of this area is land, with only a tiny bit (0.04%) being water.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 379 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the population of Vallonia was 379 people.
Vallonia Today
Today, Vallonia is still a small unincorporated community along State Road 135. In 1972, Fort Vallonia was rebuilt. This rebuilt fort is now the main attraction for the yearly Fort Vallonia Days festival. This fun event happens on the third weekend of October and lasts for three days. It can attract as many as 30,000 visitors!
See also
In Spanish: Vallonia (Indiana) para niños
