West Terre Haute, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Terre Haute, Indiana
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Location of West Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Vigo |
| Township | Sugar Creek |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.75 sq mi (1.95 km2) |
| • Land | 0.75 sq mi (1.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 469 ft (143 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,157 |
| • Density | 2,864.54/sq mi (1,106.35/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47885
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| Area code(s) | 812 |
| FIPS code | 18-83384 |
| GNIS feature ID | 445815 |
West Terre Haute is a small town in Indiana, located on the west side of the Wabash River. It is very close to the city of Terre Haute. In 2010, about 2,236 people lived here. It is part of the larger Terre Haute area. A special building, the Bethany Congregational Church, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 because of its importance.
Contents
History of West Terre Haute
West Terre Haute has a long history! It was first called McQuilkinsville when Samuel McQuilkin planned it out on November 22, 1836. Before that, in 1833, the very first building was put up. In 1834, Samuel McQuilkin opened a general store. This store was on the important National Road, which helped the town grow.
People also moved here to farm vegetables because the soil was very good. Later, in 1867, John Griggs and his son built a flour mill, but it burned down a few years later. The town kept growing, with new businesses like a tavern and another general store with a post office.
In 1894, the people living in the town voted to change its name to West Terre Haute, which is what it is called today. The West Terre Haute post office has been helping people send mail since 1899.
Growth of Local Industries
By 1878, West Terre Haute had grown to about 250 people. Industries in the town included a lumber mill, a factory that made cigars, and a company that produced shingles.
Because there was a lot of coal nearby, coal mining became a major industry. By 1906, West Terre Haute had eleven coal mines. These mines produced a lot of coal every day.
The town also had large clay deposits. This led to companies making clay products like building bricks, paving bricks, and sewer pipes. Four different companies worked in this industry.
Just north of West Terre Haute, there was a big gravel pit. This gravel was mostly used to build railroad tracks.
Population Growth and Changes
Because there were so many jobs, the number of people living in West Terre Haute grew quickly. From just a few hundred in the 1880s, the population reached about 3,500 by the mid-1890s.
To help people get around, a new bridge was built across the Wabash River in 1905. This bridge also had tracks for the city's streetcar and interurban line. The Bank of West Terre Haute was started in the same year.
Decline of Local Business
Starting in the early 1920s, the coal, clay, and gravel industries slowly began to shrink. West Terre Haute became a place where many factory workers and miners lived.
After the Great Depression, the town had businesses like car repair shops and grocery stores. However, many businesses struggled when I-70 was built. This highway went around the town, so fewer people drove through it.
Geography of West Terre Haute
West Terre Haute is located at 39°27′49″N 87°26′56″W / 39.46361°N 87.44889°W. It is separated from Terre Haute by the Wabash River and a low area of land.
According to the 2010 census, West Terre Haute covers an area of about 0.75 square miles (1.95 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 651 | — | |
| 1910 | 3,083 | 373.6% | |
| 1920 | 4,310 | 39.8% | |
| 1930 | 3,588 | −16.8% | |
| 1940 | 3,729 | 3.9% | |
| 1950 | 3,357 | −10.0% | |
| 1960 | 3,006 | −10.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,704 | −10.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,806 | 3.8% | |
| 1990 | 2,495 | −11.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,330 | −6.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,236 | −4.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,157 | −3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What the 2010 Census Showed
In 2010, there were 2,236 people living in West Terre Haute. These people lived in 839 households, and 588 of those were families. The town had about 2,981 people per square mile.
Most of the people in town (97.3%) were White. About 0.5% were African American, and 0.6% were Native American. About 1.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of households, 38% had children under 18 living there. About 41.2% were married couples. The average household had 2.67 people, and the average family had 3.09 people.
The average age of people in West Terre Haute was 35.5 years old. About 26% of residents were under 18. About 12.6% were 65 years old or older. There were slightly more females (51.6%) than males (48.4%) in the town.
Education in West Terre Haute
West Terre Haute is part of the Vigo County School Corporation. The town has four schools for students of different ages:
- Fayette Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
- Sugar Creek Consolidated Elementary School (Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade)
- West Vigo Middle School (6th to 8th grade)
- West Vigo High School (9th to 12th grade)
The town also has a public library, which is a branch of the Vigo County Public Library.
Transportation Around Town
West Terre Haute is the last town you pass through in Indiana when traveling west on US 40 before you cross into Illinois.
Interstate 70 does not go directly through West Terre Haute. However, it runs along the southern edge of the town. There are two exits on I-70 that lead to West Terre Haute.
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See also
In Spanish: West Terre Haute (Indiana) para niños
