Wadena, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wadena, Indiana
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A street corner in the small town of Wadena
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Benton County's location in Indiana
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 Wadena, Indiana
Location in Benton County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Benton |
| Township | Union |
| Named for | Wadena, Minnesota |
| Elevation | 797 ft (243 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47944
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| Area code(s) | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-79424 |
| GNIS feature ID | 445342 |
Wadena is a small, quiet place in Indiana, United States. It's called an unincorporated community. This means it's not an official town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of a larger area called Union Township in Benton County. Wadena is also considered part of the Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Discovering Wadena's Past
Wadena has an interesting history, especially how it got its name and its connection to railroads.
How Wadena Got Its Name
A man named John Swan founded Wadena. He named it after a town he really liked in Wadena, Minnesota. The name "Wadena" comes from an Ojibwa word. It means "little round hill."
Wadena's Railroad Connection
Wadena was built along a special north-south railroad line. This line was important for moving goods and people. It was first built in the 1880s. Over the years, different companies owned and operated the railroad. These included the Chicago and Great Southern Railway and the Chicago and Indiana Coal Railway. Later, it became the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad. Finally, it was the Chicago, Attica and Southern Railroad. This last company used the line until the 1940s, when it was no longer needed. People also called this line the "Coal Road" or the "Dolly Varden Line."
Wadena's Post Office and Community Life
Wadena had its own post office. It opened in 1883. This was a central place for people to send and receive mail. The post office served the community for many years. However, it closed down in 1919.
Famous Baseball Players from Wadena
In the early 1900s, Wadena was home to some amazing baseball players. Four residents became professional players. They played for teams across the country.
- Doc Crandall: He was a pitcher for the New York Giants. He played for them from 1906 to 1914. After that, he joined teams in the Federal League and the Coast League.
- Karl Crandall: He played for a team in Memphis, Tennessee. Then, he spent three years with the Indianapolis American Association team. Later, he also played in the Coast League.
- Arnold Crandall: He was a pitcher. In 1921, he played for the Buffalo, New York, International League team.
- Cy Williams: He was an outfielder. He played for the Chicago Cubs from 1913 to 1916. After that, he joined the Philadelphia Nationals.
Wadena Today
Today, Wadena is a quiet place. It has several homes where people live. There was once a Baptist church, but it is no longer there. East of Wadena, you can find a monument. This monument remembers the old Wadena School. This school taught students from 1895 until 1961.
Exploring Wadena's Location
Wadena is located in a specific part of Benton County, Indiana. It's easy to find on a map.
Where is Wadena Located?
Wadena is found at coordinates 40°41′36″N 87°16′36″W / 40.69333°N 87.27667°W. It sits along Benton County Road 600 North. This location is about halfway between 200 East and 300 East roads.
Nearby Natural Features
Wadena is surrounded by interesting natural features. These include creeks and a high point.
Creeks Near Wadena
- Big Pine Creek Ditch: This ditch starts in the fields just west of Wadena. It flows southeast for about six miles. It eventually joins a larger waterway called Big Pine Creek.
- Carpenter Creek: This creek begins northeast of Wadena. It flows north for about 14 miles. It then meets the Iroquois River.
Mount Nebo: Benton County's Highest Point
Mount Nebo is the highest point in all of Benton County. It stands a little less than two miles east of Wadena.
Images for kids
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A street corner in the small town of Wadena
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Benton County's location in Indiana
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An old map showing railroads in Benton County around 1896, with Wadena marked.
