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A Few Facts About Owen County
1849 Owen County Retrospect
Based on "Indiana Gazetteer," published by E. Chamberlain
Owen County, organized in 1819, was named in honor of Colonel Abraham Owen, of Kentucky, who was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe, while serving as a volunteer aid to General Harrison. It is bounded north by Putnam, east by Morgan and Monroe, south by Greene, and west by Clay, and contains 396 square miles. The civil divisions into townships are Harrison, Wayne and Clay in the east, Franklin and Jefferson on the south, Marion and Morgan on the west, Jackson, Jennings and Taylor on the north, and Montgomery, Washington and Lafayette in the interior. The population in 1830 was 4,060, in 1840, 8,359, and at this time [1849] about 12,000. With the exception of the bottoms of White River, which in general are large and fertile, and a few tracts of level, wet land, when drained, well adapted to grass, the balance of the county is undulating or rolling, a medium between the hilly region farther east and the level country on the north, west and south. The upland portion is generally a rich, clay soil, and well adapted to corn, wheat, oats, grass, and other articles common to the climate. The timber is mostly a good quality. Iron ore and coal are found in abundance in the southern and western part of the county. The former is known to the manufacturer by the name of "liver ore," is destitute of manganese, and contains 44 ½ percent of pure metal. This ore is very easy of access. The surplus articles exported in 1848, were, 24,534 hogs, 57,760 bushels of wheat, 18,000 do. Of corn, which, with tobacco and other articles of marketing, make the whole amount about the value of $200,000.
There are in Owen County about twenty gristmills, twenty-one sawmills, four carding, machines, one printing office, fifteen stores, two groceries, five lawyers, four-teen physicians, thirteen preachers, nine Christian, seven Baptist, six Methodist and two Presbyterian churches, and eighty-four mechanics of the trades most in demand.
The falls of Eel River furnish the best water power, and are among the most remarkable curiosities in the State. They are three-fourths of a mile apart, the upper fall is 45 feet within a short distance, the lower fall is 35 feet perpendicular. The proprietors of these falls, though they have often talked of making large improvements there, have as yet done but little. Iron ore is abundant in the vicinity. It is much to be regretted that such facilities for valuable and important improvements should not attract the attention to which they have such claims.
The taxable land in the county amounts to 165,768 acres; 19,000 acres have been selected for Canal lands.
John Dunn, Philip Hart, David Thomas and Samuel Bigger made the first settlement in Owen County about the beginning of 1817. The first church organized and the first meeting house and mill built was in 1819. Previous to that time, grain was sent about sixty miles to be ground. As a memorial of the old customs, it appears that at the sale of lots for the County Seat in 1821, the county board allowed $9.87 ½ for whiskey to treat the bidders. Now there is no one authorized to retail spirits, a majority of the citizens having decided not to allow licenses.
1938 Owen County Retrospect
Based on "Indiana Review," published by the State Legislature
Long before the coming of the white man, Owen County was a favorite rendezvous for a number of Indian tribes, due to the beauty and healthful climate found in its picturesque hills and valleys. Today there are yet to be seen through the magnificent forests frequent signs that show where "Sweet Owen" now is, which was then a favorite camping place for the Indians. There is also much in evidence that prehistoric peoples, as their mounds and burial places testify, formerly inhabited this locality. It is certain that in latter times the Delaware, Eel River, Miami and Pottawatomie Indians swarmed the hills and valleys. The land of Owen County is a fine balance of hill country and rich, fertile river and creek bottomland. Particularly outstanding is the Eel River, with its beautiful falls and cataracts. White River traverses the entire southeastern section. One of the northern group of southern Indiana counties, Owen is the most noted for its production of stone, coal, and tobacco. The famous Oolitic Limestone, used extensively in government structures, is quarried at Ramona. The bituminous coal found here is of the finest quality. The county is also ideal for the production of fruit.
Owen County covers 393 square miles, divided into thirteen townships. The incorporated towns are Spencer, 2,179, and Gosport, 722. Owen County total population for 1890 was 15,040; 1900, 15,149; 1910, 14,053; 1920, 12,760; 1930, 11,357. In 1920, the center of the United States population was in this county, at a point of 1.9 miles west of Whitehall.
Spencer is fifty-three miles southwest of Indianapolis and is served by one railroad. Among its manufactures are flour, lumber, brick, tile, staves, and bottles. The coalmines and limestone quarries in the region are important industrial factors. The largest clothespin factory in the world is here.
The early settlers referred to this county as "Sweet Owen," and today it includes many of the state's foremost natural beauty spots. Chief among them is McCormick's Creek Canyon State Park. Another is Cataract Falls, on Eel River. Other points of interest are Green's Bluffs, Boone's Cave, Owen Park, and Lake Hollybrook. There is a marker north of Gosport, on the site of the boundary line of the Harrison Purchase, commonly known as the "Ten O'clock Line."
The county was the birthplace of T. C. Steele, the noted artist. Spencer was the birthplace of William Vaughn Moody, poet and dramatist, and of the writer and poet, William Herschell. The most famous resident was Samuel Ralston, who settled near Jordan Village.
Owen County had seven manufacturing establishments, according to the 1935 federal census. A total of 179 wage earners were employed on payrolls totaling $129,518. The value of the product was $509,637.
The county had 1,719 farms with an average acreage of 112.8 acres each. Their value was $4,030,440. A total of 34,446 head of livestock was reported.
The total county tax valuation for 1936 was $7,539,937.
A Few Facts About Owen County
- Owen County is divided into 13 Civil Townships : Clay, Franklin, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Lafayette, Marion, Montgomery, Morgan, Taylor, Washington and Wayne.
- Owen County was Organized January 1, 1819.
- Spencer wasn't always the County Seat.
- The first County Seat was located at Lancaster, about half a mile up the river from the present town of Spencer on 150 acres donated by John Dunn. On account of a defect in the title to the land, commissioners were appointed to change the location.
- Spencer became the County Seat February 12, 1820. First settled in 1820, by John Dunn, Philip Hart and Richard Beem, by 1849 it contained a Methodist Church, a Christian Church, four stores, three warehouses, eight mechanics shops, and a population of about 300.
1849 Owen County Retrospect
Based on "Indiana Gazetteer," published by E. Chamberlain
Owen County, organized in 1819, was named in honor of Colonel Abraham Owen, of Kentucky, who was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe, while serving as a volunteer aid to General Harrison. It is bounded north by Putnam, east by Morgan and Monroe, south by Greene, and west by Clay, and contains 396 square miles. The civil divisions into townships are Harrison, Wayne and Clay in the east, Franklin and Jefferson on the south, Marion and Morgan on the west, Jackson, Jennings and Taylor on the north, and Montgomery, Washington and Lafayette in the interior. The population in 1830 was 4,060, in 1840, 8,359, and at this time [1849] about 12,000. With the exception of the bottoms of White River, which in general are large and fertile, and a few tracts of level, wet land, when drained, well adapted to grass, the balance of the county is undulating or rolling, a medium between the hilly region farther east and the level country on the north, west and south. The upland portion is generally a rich, clay soil, and well adapted to corn, wheat, oats, grass, and other articles common to the climate. The timber is mostly a good quality. Iron ore and coal are found in abundance in the southern and western part of the county. The former is known to the manufacturer by the name of "liver ore," is destitute of manganese, and contains 44 ½ percent of pure metal. This ore is very easy of access. The surplus articles exported in 1848, were, 24,534 hogs, 57,760 bushels of wheat, 18,000 do. Of corn, which, with tobacco and other articles of marketing, make the whole amount about the value of $200,000.
There are in Owen County about twenty gristmills, twenty-one sawmills, four carding, machines, one printing office, fifteen stores, two groceries, five lawyers, four-teen physicians, thirteen preachers, nine Christian, seven Baptist, six Methodist and two Presbyterian churches, and eighty-four mechanics of the trades most in demand.
The falls of Eel River furnish the best water power, and are among the most remarkable curiosities in the State. They are three-fourths of a mile apart, the upper fall is 45 feet within a short distance, the lower fall is 35 feet perpendicular. The proprietors of these falls, though they have often talked of making large improvements there, have as yet done but little. Iron ore is abundant in the vicinity. It is much to be regretted that such facilities for valuable and important improvements should not attract the attention to which they have such claims.
The taxable land in the county amounts to 165,768 acres; 19,000 acres have been selected for Canal lands.
John Dunn, Philip Hart, David Thomas and Samuel Bigger made the first settlement in Owen County about the beginning of 1817. The first church organized and the first meeting house and mill built was in 1819. Previous to that time, grain was sent about sixty miles to be ground. As a memorial of the old customs, it appears that at the sale of lots for the County Seat in 1821, the county board allowed $9.87 ½ for whiskey to treat the bidders. Now there is no one authorized to retail spirits, a majority of the citizens having decided not to allow licenses.
1938 Owen County Retrospect
Based on "Indiana Review," published by the State Legislature
Long before the coming of the white man, Owen County was a favorite rendezvous for a number of Indian tribes, due to the beauty and healthful climate found in its picturesque hills and valleys. Today there are yet to be seen through the magnificent forests frequent signs that show where "Sweet Owen" now is, which was then a favorite camping place for the Indians. There is also much in evidence that prehistoric peoples, as their mounds and burial places testify, formerly inhabited this locality. It is certain that in latter times the Delaware, Eel River, Miami and Pottawatomie Indians swarmed the hills and valleys. The land of Owen County is a fine balance of hill country and rich, fertile river and creek bottomland. Particularly outstanding is the Eel River, with its beautiful falls and cataracts. White River traverses the entire southeastern section. One of the northern group of southern Indiana counties, Owen is the most noted for its production of stone, coal, and tobacco. The famous Oolitic Limestone, used extensively in government structures, is quarried at Ramona. The bituminous coal found here is of the finest quality. The county is also ideal for the production of fruit.
Owen County covers 393 square miles, divided into thirteen townships. The incorporated towns are Spencer, 2,179, and Gosport, 722. Owen County total population for 1890 was 15,040; 1900, 15,149; 1910, 14,053; 1920, 12,760; 1930, 11,357. In 1920, the center of the United States population was in this county, at a point of 1.9 miles west of Whitehall.
Spencer is fifty-three miles southwest of Indianapolis and is served by one railroad. Among its manufactures are flour, lumber, brick, tile, staves, and bottles. The coalmines and limestone quarries in the region are important industrial factors. The largest clothespin factory in the world is here.
The early settlers referred to this county as "Sweet Owen," and today it includes many of the state's foremost natural beauty spots. Chief among them is McCormick's Creek Canyon State Park. Another is Cataract Falls, on Eel River. Other points of interest are Green's Bluffs, Boone's Cave, Owen Park, and Lake Hollybrook. There is a marker north of Gosport, on the site of the boundary line of the Harrison Purchase, commonly known as the "Ten O'clock Line."
The county was the birthplace of T. C. Steele, the noted artist. Spencer was the birthplace of William Vaughn Moody, poet and dramatist, and of the writer and poet, William Herschell. The most famous resident was Samuel Ralston, who settled near Jordan Village.
Owen County had seven manufacturing establishments, according to the 1935 federal census. A total of 179 wage earners were employed on payrolls totaling $129,518. The value of the product was $509,637.
The county had 1,719 farms with an average acreage of 112.8 acres each. Their value was $4,030,440. A total of 34,446 head of livestock was reported.
The total county tax valuation for 1936 was $7,539,937.