Wakarusa, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wakarusa, Indiana
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Downtown Wakarusa
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Location of Wakarusa in Elkhart County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Elkhart |
| Township | Harrison, Olive |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.28 sq mi (5.91 km2) |
| • Land | 2.20 sq mi (5.71 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2) |
| Elevation | 850 ft (260 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,998 |
| • Density | 906.53/sq mi (350.00/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
46573
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| Area code(s) | 574 |
| FIPS code | 18-79478 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397717 |
Wakarusa is a small town in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It is located in both Harrison and Olive townships. In 2020, about 1,998 people lived there.
Wakarusa is a community known for farming and manufacturing. You can find it on Indiana 19, just north of Indiana 119. The town is about 12 miles (19 km) south of Elkhart and 25 miles (40 km) southeast of South Bend.
Contents
Geography of Wakarusa
Wakarusa covers a total area of about 2.28 square miles (5.91 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 2.20 square miles (5.70 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.08 square miles (0.21 square kilometers), is water.
History of Wakarusa
How Wakarusa Got Its Name
In 1836, a rural area called Olive Township was formed in western Elkhart County. As more people moved in, a post office named Mt. Olive opened in 1849. A new village called Salem was then started. This meant people did not have to travel far to places like Goshen or Elkhart for business.
However, there was already a town named Salem in Indiana. So, in 1859, the village name was changed to Wakarusa. The Mt. Olive Post Office also changed its name to Wakarusa a year later.
The meaning of the name "Wakarusa" is not fully known. Some say it comes from a Native American language, meaning "knee-deep in mud." Others believe a settler named it after a place in Kansas.
The Railroad Arrives
In 1891, work began on the Wabash Railroad line that would pass through Wakarusa. The line officially opened in the spring of 1893. This railroad connected Chicago with Montpelier, Ohio. Later, it became part of the Norfolk & Western Railway in 1964. The line was used until the 1980s. Today, you can see the original Wabash depot and two old rail cars at the Wakarusa Historical Museum.
Population of Wakarusa
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 245 | — | |
| 1880 | 377 | 53.9% | |
| 1900 | 917 | — | |
| 1910 | 859 | −6.3% | |
| 1920 | 816 | −5.0% | |
| 1930 | 973 | 19.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,033 | 6.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,143 | 10.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,145 | 0.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,160 | 1.3% | |
| 1980 | 1,281 | 10.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,667 | 30.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,618 | −2.9% | |
| 2010 | 1,758 | 8.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,998 | 13.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Wakarusa had 1,758 people living in 665 homes. The town had about 799 people per square mile (308 people per square kilometer). Most residents were White (96.0%). About 2.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Wakarusa in 2010 was 42 years old. About 24.9% of the people were under 18. About 22.2% were 65 years or older.
Education in Wakarusa
In the 1970s, the school systems of Wakarusa and nearby Nappanee joined together. They created the Wa-Nee Community Schools. The town also has a free public library called the Wakarusa-Olive & Harrison Township Public Library.
Religion in Wakarusa
Wakarusa has several churches. These include Wakarusa Missionary Church, a Bible Baptist Church, and a Methodist church. There are also Holdemen Mennonite Church and Olive Mennonite Church just outside of town.
Famous People from Wakarusa
- J. Wayne Fredericks, an American diplomat.
- Gale Sayers, a Hall of Fame football player for the Chicago Bears.
Economy of Wakarusa
Wakarusa started as a farming community. A lumber mill opened in 1866. By the 1880s, the town had several factories and businesses. At one time, three different lumber mills operated here, but they are no longer open.
Today, farming is still important, with two grain mills in town. Wakarusa is in a strong industrial area, so many manufacturers are located here. Making RVs, modular homes, and custom trucks are big parts of the local economy. For example, Forest River employs about 600 people in the RV industry.
In 2008, Monaco Coach Corporation closed its plant in Wakarusa. This meant about 1,400 workers lost their jobs. Later, Thor Industries bought the large complex. They now use it for different RV brands and employ around 700 people.
The historic town center has many small businesses. You can find antique shops, hair salons, a furniture store, and a hardware store. There are also restaurants and a candy shop that sells local maple syrup and jumbo jelly beans. These shops attract a growing number of visitors.
Festivals in Wakarusa
Once a year, Wakarusa hosts the Maple Syrup Festival. This festival includes a parade and other fun activities. It started in 1969 and was first held in March. Now, the festival takes place at the end of April.
See also
In Spanish: Wakarusa (Indiana) para niños
