Warrenton, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Warrenton, Indiana
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 Warrenton, Indiana
Location in Warren County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Warren |
| Township | Warren |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47918
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| Area code(s) | 765 |
Warrenton was once a small town in Warren County, Indiana. Today, it's known as an "extinct town" or ghost town because it no longer exists. It was special because it was the very first county seat for Warren County.
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The Start of Warrenton
In March 1828, officials decided that Warrenton would be the main town, or county seat, for Warren County. This meant it would be the center for government and important meetings.
Where Was Warrenton Located?
The town was planned in a spot that is now part of Warren Township. It was about 2 miles (3 km) northeast of Williamsport, which is the current county seat. Warrenton was built on a hill overlooking where Big Pine Creek meets the Wabash River.
Planning the Town
A person named Perrin Kent helped survey the land. Another person, Luther Tillotson, drew up the town's map on July 8, 1828. The land for the town was given to the county by a local landowner named Hollingsworth.
The town's map included:
- Seven full blocks, each with eight lots.
- Four half-blocks, each with four lots.
- A public square that was about 1.8 acres (7,300 square meters) in size.
On August 5, 1828, the lots were sold to people at a public auction. The prices for the lots ranged from $10 to $20. It's said that free drinks were given out during the auction to encourage people to buy!
Why Warrenton Disappeared
Warrenton didn't stay the county seat for very long. On January 22, 1829, a new decision was made to move the county seat. By June 1829, it had moved to nearby Williamsport.
Reasons for the Move
The exact reasons for moving the county seat are not fully clear. However, historical records from 1883 suggest a few things:
- The landowners in Warrenton didn't give as much money or land to the county as expected.
- William Harrison, who founded Williamsport, and Thomas Gilbert offered much better donations.
Because of these better offers, people wanted to move the county seat. They hoped the county would get more benefits from a new location.
The End of Warrenton
After the county seat moved, very few buildings or improvements were made in Warrenton. The town quickly faded away. Today, there are no signs left that a town ever existed at that spot. It truly became a ghost town.
