Vernon, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vernon, Indiana
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Jennings County courthouse in Vernon
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Location of Vernon in Jennings County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Jennings |
| Township | Vernon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.21 sq mi (0.54 km2) |
| • Land | 0.21 sq mi (0.54 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 236 |
| • Density | 1,140.10/sq mi (439.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47282
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| Area code(s) | 812 |
| FIPS code | 18-78902 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397713 |
| Website | www.vernonindiana.org |
Vernon is a small town in Indiana, United States. It is the main town, or "county seat," of Jennings County. In 2010, about 318 people lived there. This makes it the smallest town with that title in Indiana. Vernon is just south of a bigger town called North Vernon. The Muscatatuck River almost surrounds Vernon.
Vernon is special because it is the only town in Indiana where both the mayor and the town marshal are chosen by voters. As of 2023, Marshall Zamora is the mayor and Britt Burgmeier is the marshal.
The Vernon Historic District is a special area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many important "firsts" for Indiana happened here:
- The first public playground in Indiana, called The Commons.
- The first elevated railroad overpass west of the Allegheny Mountains.
- The first all-women jury in Indiana.
- The first Disciples of Christ church in Indiana.
Vernon was also home to Indiana's fourth state park, which is now called Muscatatuck County Park.
Contents
History of Vernon
Vernon got its name from Mount Vernon. The town's post office opened in 1817.
Morgan's Raid and Vernon's Defense
On July 11, 1863, Vernon was almost the site of a battle during Morgan's Raid. A Confederate general named John Hunt Morgan demanded that the town surrender. However, 100 local soldiers were ready to defend Vernon. They were in strong positions on hills and bluffs overlooking the Muscatatuck River.
There were also 178 Union soldiers led by Colonel Hugh Williams. These defenders managed to delay Morgan's troops. This gave time for 1,000 more Union soldiers, led by Brigadier General John Love, to arrive. Because of this, Morgan's forces eventually left and headed south.
Geography of Vernon
According to the 2010 census, Vernon covers an area of about 0.24 square miles (0.62 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Information
Vernon's population has changed over the years. Here's how many people lived there at different times:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 690 | — | |
| 1860 | 630 | −8.7% | |
| 1870 | 673 | 6.8% | |
| 1880 | 616 | −8.5% | |
| 1890 | 613 | −0.5% | |
| 1900 | 557 | −9.1% | |
| 1910 | 453 | −18.7% | |
| 1920 | 423 | −6.6% | |
| 1930 | 410 | −3.1% | |
| 1940 | 413 | 0.7% | |
| 1950 | 480 | 16.2% | |
| 1960 | 461 | −4.0% | |
| 1970 | 440 | −4.6% | |
| 1980 | 329 | −25.2% | |
| 1990 | 370 | 12.5% | |
| 2000 | 330 | −10.8% | |
| 2010 | 318 | −3.6% | |
| 2020 | 236 | −25.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Vernon's Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 318 people living in Vernon. These people lived in 134 homes, and 84 of these were families. Most of the people (97.5%) were White. A small number were African American (0.3%), Asian (0.3%), or from two or more races (1.6%). About 0.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Vernon was 39.3 years old. About 26.4% of residents were under 18. About 13.8% were 65 years old or older.
Famous People from Vernon
Many notable people have connections to Vernon:
- Sarah T. Bolton – A well-known pioneer poet.
- Ovid Butler – The person who started Butler University.
- Lincoln Dixon – A member of the U.S. Congress.
- William Forsyth – A famous artist.
- General Robert Sanford Foster – An officer during the Civil War.
- John C. New – He was the Treasurer of the United States and a U.S. Consul General. He also published the Indianapolis Journal newspaper.
- Horatio C. Newcomb – A former mayor of Indianapolis.
- Theodore Steele – Another famous artist.
- Jessamyn West – A well-known writer.
Famous Visitors to Vernon
Some other famous people also visited or lived in Vernon:
- Alexander Campbell – He founded the Christian Church and Bethany College.
- Henry Ward Beecher – He visited Vernon early in the Civil War. He spoke at the Courthouse to support Abraham Lincoln and the Union.
- Lord Flanigan – An English nobleman who was once a citizen of Vernon.
- Richard Nixon – He spoke in front of the courthouse in Vernon on June 24, 1971. He was there to honor his mother, Hannah Milhous Nixon, whose birthplace was in the area.
Vernon in Literature
In the book "The Friendly Persuasion" by Jessamyn West, the Birdwell family lives near Vernon.
See also
In Spanish: Vernon (Indiana) para niños
