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Terre Haute, Indiana

Coordinates:39°28′11″N87°23′23″W / 39.46972°N 87.38972°W /39.46972; -87.38972
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Terre Haute
Terre Haute City Hall in 2012
Terre Haute City Hall in 2012
Flag of Terre Haute
Official seal of Terre Haute
Nickname(s):
"Queen City of the Wabash"
" The Crossroads of America,"
"Capital of the Wabash Valley"
Motto:
"A Level Above"
Location of Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana.
Location of Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana.
Terre Haute is located in Indiana
Terre Haute
Terre Haute
Terre Haute is located in the United States
Terre Haute
Terre Haute
Coordinates:39°28′11″N87°23′23″W / 39.46972°N 87.38972°W /39.46972; -87.38972
Country United States
State Indiana
County Vigo
Government
• Type Mayor-council government
• Body Terre Haute City Council
• Mayor Brandon Sakbun(D)
Area
[1]
• Total 35.16 sq mi (91.07 km2)
• Land 34.77 sq mi (90.06 km2)
• Water 0.39 sq mi (1.01 km2)
Elevation
[2]
499 ft (152 m)
Population
( 2020)
• Total 58,389
• Density 1,679.15/sq mi (648.33/km2)
Demonym(s) Hautean
/ˈhʃɪn/
Time zone UTC−5([Eastern Time Zone])
• Summer (DST) UTC−4(EDT)
ZIP Codes
47801-47805, 47807-47809
Area code(s) 812 & 930
FIPS code 18-75428[3]
GNISfeature ID 444648
Website www.terrehaute.in.gov

Terre Haute(/ˈtɛrəˈht/TERRHOHT)[4]is a city in and thecounty seatofVigo County, Indiana, United States,[5]about 5 miles (8 km) east of the state's western border withIllinois. As of the2020 census, the city had a population of 58,389[6]andits metropolitan areahad a population of 168,716.

Located along theWabash River, Terre Haute is one of the largest cities in theWabash Valleyand is known as the Queen City of the Wabash.[7]The city is home to multiple higher-education institutions, includingIndiana State University,Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, andIvy Tech Community College of Indiana.

History

[edit]

Terre Haute's name is derived from the French phraseterre haute(pronounced[tɛʁot]in French), meaning "highland". It was named by French-Canadian explorers andfur trappersto the area in the early 18th century to describe the unique location above the Wabash River (seeFrench colonization of the Americas). At the time, the area was claimed by the French and British and these highlands were considered the border between Canada andLouisiana.[8]

Fort Harrisonwas built in 1811 on the Wabash Rivernear present-day Terre Haute.

The construction ofFort Harrisonin 1811 marked the known beginning of a permanent population ofEuropean-Americansin the area that would become known as Terre Haute.[9]AWeaIndian village already existed near the fort, and the orchards and meadows they kept a few miles south of the fort became the site of the present-day city.[10](Terre Haute's currently affiliatedOrder of the Arrowlodge of theBoy Scouts of Americais named after the last leader of the Wea village, Jacco Godfroy.) The village of Terre Haute, then a part ofKnox County, Indiana, was platted in 1816.

The first Vigo County Courthouse(1818–1866)

Terre Haute became the county seat of the newly formed Vigo County in 1818, leading to increased population growth. The village's estimated 1,000 residents voted to incorporate in 1832; the village was elevated to city status in 1853.

Early Terre Haute was a center of farming, milling, and pork processing. However, the city's pre-1960 business and industrial expansion occurred largely due to transportation. The Wabash River, the building of theNational Road(nowUS 40), and theWabash and Erie Canallinked Terre Haute to the world and broadened the city's range of influence. The economy was based on iron and steel mills, hominy plants, and late in the 19th century, distilleries, breweries, and bottle makers. Coal mines and coal operating companies developed to support the railroads, yet agriculture remained predominant, largely due to the role of corn in making alcoholic beverages and food items.

With steady growth and development in the latter part of the 19th century, the city's vibrant neighborhoods benefited from improved fire protection, the founding of two hospitals, dozens of churches, and a number of outlets for amusement. Terre Haute's position as an educational hub was fostered as several institutions of higher education were established. The city developed a reputation for its arts and entertainment offerings. Grand opera houses were built that hosted hundreds of operas and theatrical performances. It became a stop on the popular vaudeville circuit. The development of the streetcar system and later the electric-powered trolleys in the 1890s allowed residents to travel with ease to baseball games, picnics, river excursions, amusement parks, and even horse racing. The famous "Four-Cornered" Racetrack, now the site ofMemorial Stadium, was laid out in 1886 and drew the best of the country's trotters and drivers.

On the evening of Easter Sunday,March 23, 1913, a major tornado struck the city around 9:45 pm,[11][12]demolishing more than 300 homes, killing 21 people, and injuring 250.[13]Damage to local businesses and industries was estimated at $1 million to $2 million (in 1913 dollars). Up to that time, it was the deadliest tornado to hit Indiana.[14]Heavy rains followed the tornado, causing the Wabash River to rise. By midday on Tuesday, March 25, West Terre Haute (Taylorville) wasthree-quarters submerged.[14]

Like all U.S. communities, Terre Haute experienced economic swings as the country's economic base evolved. Before theGreat Depressionbrought the U.S. economy to a near halt, influences such as Prohibition and the decline of the country's railroads had a negative effect on two of Terre Haute's major industries - distilleries/breweries and railroad repair works.In 1940, though, it was selected for a new United States penitentiary built on 1,126 acres (456 ha) south of the city.

World War IIbrought an economic upswing with the development of three ordnance plants in the county and the revitalization of the coal, railroad, and agriculture industries. Terre Haute remained dependent on consumer manufacturers such as Quaker Maid, the world's largest food processing factory under one roof. The city was an enthusiastic participant in the war effort with troop send-offs, victory gardens, bond sales, civil defense drills, parades, and ceremonies. The country's 100thUnited Service Organizations(USO) facility opened in the city in 1943.

Following the war, Terre Haute gained several new factories:Pfizer(1948),Allis-Chalmers(1951),Columbia Records(1954), and Anaconda Aluminum (1959). The face of downtown Terre Haute began to change in the late 1960s whenInterstate 70was built, passing through Vigo County about 5 mi (8.0 km) south of the path of U.S. 40 Wabash Avenue). As traffic began to concentrate at theU.S. 41interchange, many downtown businesses relocated toHoney Creek Mallshopping center, built in 1968.

Throughout the period, civic groups developed to work toward boosting the economy. The Terre Haute Committee for Area Progress developed the Fort Harrison Industrial Park in the 1970s.[15]Grow Terre Haute in the mid-1980s encouraged the establishment of new stores, factories, and high-tech industrial parks that helped to stabilize the economy and enhance community life. Most encouraging was the arrival of the Digital Audio Disc Corporation (DADC), a subsidiary of the global company,Sony, as the first American factory designed exclusively to make compact discs. In other developments over these years, railroad overpasses eased traffic congestion, law enforcement strengthened, and several national and state awards for volunteerism and citizen participation boosted local pride.

Like other Midwest manufacturing cities, Terre Haute faced daunting challenges as it neared the end of the 20th century, including the outmigration of the population and the closure of long-time manufacturing operations.

Much of the city's resiliency can be attributed to the diversity of the local economy. Manufacturing continues to be an important part of that, due to the formation of the Vigo County Industrial Park. The efforts of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, in cooperation with city and county government, have made the industrial park home to some of the world's leading companies –Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional’s cold-rolled steel-processing facility,Staples Corporation’s Midwest Distribution Center,Advicsautomotive brake systems manufacturing facility,ThyssenKruppPresta’s automotive steering systems manufacturing facility, andCertainTeed’s fiber cement board manufacturing plant.

The revitalization of the downtown area can be traced to the construction ofFirst Financial Bank's new headquarters building in the late 1980s and the creation of the city's firsttax increment financingdistrict, which funded the first downtown parking structure. Over the years, more initiatives followed, including the construction of several new office buildings and a second downtown parking structure.

Clabber Girlfactory complex in 2006

With the efforts of nonprofit groups such as Downtown Terre Haute and the expansion of the campus of Indiana State University, changes have spurred growth downtown. Several new hotels and businesses have been added to the "Crossroads of America" near 7th and Wabash, outdoor events and festivals attract crowds nearly every weekend during the summer, and the 7th Street Arts Corridor and Terre Haute Children's Museum, completed in 2010, enhance the appeal of the downtown area. These developments over several years inspired property owners throughout downtown to rehabilitate and renovate their buildings, includingHulman & Company. A new $25 million convention center is in the works for downtown Terre Haute, with completion planned for 2021[16]

Renovation of the city's 1930s-era Federal Building to house Indiana State University's Scott College of Business in 2010[17]and development of a new downtown location for Indiana State University Foundation and the university's bookstore in 2011[18]strengthened ties between the city and the university. In 2015, Indiana State University partnered with developers to build a student housing facility in the heart of downtown,[19]and other downtown residential development followed.

A casino has been proposed to be built on the east side of the city near U.S. Route 40/Indiana Route 46. A referendum in November 2019 on whether to allow the casino to be built passed overwhelmingly.[20]

Geography

[edit]

Terre Haute lies along the eastern bank of the Wabash River in western Indiana, about 75 mi (121 km) west ofIndianapolis.

According to the 2010 census, Terre Haute has an area of 35.272 square miles (91.35 km2), of which 0.732 square miles (1.90 km2) (or 2.08%) is covered by water.[21]

The Wabash River dominates the city's geography, forming its western border. Small bluffs on the east side of town mark the edge of the historic flood plain. Lost Creek and Honey Creek drain the city's northern and southern sections, respectively. In the late 19th century (particularly during the oil craze of 1889), several oil and mineral wells were productive in and near the center of town. Pioneer Oil ofLawrenceville, Illinois, began drilling for oil at 10th and Chestnut Streets on the Indiana State University campus in December 2013, the first oil well drilled in downtown Terre Haute since 1903.[22]

Terre Haute is at the intersection of two major roadways:U.S. 40, originally from California toMaryland, andUS 41, fromCopper Harbor, Michigan, to Miami, Florida. US 41 is now locally named 3rd Street, but historically was 7th Street, making "7th and Wabash" theCrossroads of America. Terre Haute is 77 mi (124 km) southwest of Indianapolis and within 185 mi (298 km) of Chicago,St. Louis,Louisville, andCincinnati.

Climate

[edit]

Climate in the city is characterized by relatively high summer temperatures, mean winter temperatures near freezing, and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. TheKöppen climate classificationthis climate isCfa(humid subtropical).[23]

Climate data for Terre Haute, IN (Terre Haute Regional Airport) 1991-2020 normals, extremes 1896–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 69
(21)
76
(24)
86
(30)
89
(32)
99
(37)
108
(42)
109
(43)
102
(39)
104
(40)
94
(34)
82
(28)
74
(23)
109
(43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 36.7
(2.6)
41.6
(5.3)
52.8
(11.6)
64.9
(18.3)
74.6
(23.7)
83.3
(28.5)
85.9
(29.9)
84.6
(29.2)
79.0
(26.1)
66.7
(19.3)
52.6
(11.4)
41.1
(5.1)
63.7
(17.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 28.7
(−1.8)
32.9
(0.5)
42.8
(6.0)
53.9
(12.2)
64.0
(17.8)
72.7
(22.6)
75.3
(24.1)
73.6
(23.1)
66.6
(19.2)
54.9
(12.7)
43.1
(6.2)
33.5
(0.8)
53.5
(11.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 20.7
(−6.3)
24.1
(−4.4)
32.8
(0.4)
42.9
(6.1)
53.4
(11.9)
62.2
(16.8)
64.8
(18.2)
62.5
(16.9)
54.2
(12.3)
43.0
(6.1)
33.7
(0.9)
25.9
(−3.4)
43.4
(6.3)
Record low °F (°C) −18
(−28)
−20
(−29)
−6
(−21)
19
(−7)
29
(−2)
37
(3)
43
(6)
43
(6)
30
(−1)
18
(−8)
−4
(−20)
−16
(−27)
−20
(−29)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 2.60
(66)
2.02
(51)
2.92
(74)
4.71
(120)
4.71
(120)
4.64
(118)
4.34
(110)
2.99
(76)
2.93
(74)
3.44
(87)
3.05
(77)
2.49
(63)
40.84
(1,037)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 8.9 9.0 10.6 11.4 13.1 11.7 11.2 9.5 8.8 9.4 8.9 10.1 122.6
Source:NOAA[24][25]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
Census Pop. Note
1850 4,051
1860 8,594 112.1%
1870 16,103 87.4%
1880 26,042 61.7%
1890 30,217 16.0%
1900 36,673 21.4%
1910 58,157 58.6%
1920 66,083 13.6%
1930 62,810 −5.0%
1940 62,693 −0.2%
1950 64,214 2.4%
1960 71,786 11.8%
1970 70,335 −2.0%
1980 61,125 −13.1%
1990 57,483 −6.0%
2000 59,614 3.7%
2010 60,785 2.0%
2020 58,389 −3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[26]

2020 census

[edit]

In the 2020 census[27]58,389 people, 22,977 households, and 11,747 families were residing in the city. The city's population density was 1,679.15 inhabitants per square mile (648.3/km2). The 25,890 housing units had an average density of 749.6/sq mi (289.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.9% white, 10.8% African American, 4.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.9% from other races, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.9% of the population.

Of the 22,977 households, 26.3% had children under 18 living with them, 32.3% were married couples living together, 23.3% had a male householder with no spouse present, 35.5% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 11,230 were not families. About 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.24, and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 32.5 years. About 19.1% of residents were under 18; 19.5% were between 18 and 24, 25.4% were from 25 to 44, 20.8% were from 45 to 64, and 15.1% were 65 or older. The genetic makeup of the city was 51.0% male and 48.9% female.

2010 census

[edit]

In the 2010 census[27]60,785 people, 22,645 households, and 12,646 families were residing in the city, with 107,878 people residing in Vigo County. The city's population density was 1,759.8 inhabitants per square mile (679.5/km2). The 25,518 housing units had an average density of 738.8/sq mi (285.3/km2). Theracial makeupof the city was 83.5% White, 10.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.1% of the population.

Of the 22,645 households, 28.8% had children under 18 living with them, 35.0% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.2% were not families. About 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.29, and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 32.7 years. About 20% of residents were under 18; 18.3% were between 18 and 24, 26.4% were from 25 to 44, 22.6% were from 45 to 64, and 12.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.6% male and 48.4% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[3]of 2000, 59,614 people, 22,870 households, and 13,025 families lived in the city. The population density was 1,908.3/sq mi (736.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.3% White, 9.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. About 1.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 22,870 households, 27.2% had children under 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were not families. About 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28, and the average family size was 2.95.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,018, and for a family was $37,618. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $21,374 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,728. 19.2% of the population and 14.8% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 17.4% of those under the age of 18 and 11.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Economy

[edit]

Major employers

[edit]

Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex

[edit]

Terre Haute is the location of theFederal Correctional Complexon Highway 63, two miles south of the city. The complex includesa medium-security federal correctional institutionanda high-security United States penitentiary.[28]The penitentiary houses the Special Confinement Unit for inmates serving federal death sentences and contains the federal government's execution chamber.[28]TheTerre Haute prison experimentswere conducted here in 1943 and 1944 by Dr. John C. Cutler.

Arts and culture

[edit]

Terre Haute has made an effort to revitalize the businesses and culture in its downtown district. Festivals, museums, restaurants, shopping, and the addition of multiple hotels in the area have greatly improved the overall image of downtown Terre Haute. Its revitalization efforts were recognized in 2010 when the IndianaChamber of Commercenamed Terre Haute Indiana's Community of the Year.[29]

Arts

[edit]
Swope Art Museum

Located on 7th Street between Wabash Avenue and Ohio Street, Terre Haute Arts Corridor includes the Swope Art Museum and two galleries - the Halcyon Contemporary Art Gallery and Gopalan Contemporary Art.[30]The first Friday of every month, the area features art openings, musical performances, and socializing.[31]

TheSwope Art Museum, open and free to the public since 1942, has a collection of American art, including work byEdward Hopper,Grant Wood,Thomas Hart Benton,Janet Scudder,Andy Warhol,Ruth Pratt Bobbs,Robert Motherwell,Robert Rauschenberg, and many others.

The Turman Art Gallery at Indiana State University features rotating exhibitions by student and faculty artists. In 2007, the university was the recipient of nearly 150 Andy Warhol photographs and prints as part of the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program. These additions were to be added to the other Andy Warhol prints already held in the university's permanent collection. The gallery's Permanent Art Collection and Study Collection includes a total of 3,600 paintings, sculptures, ceramics, drawings, prints, and photographs.

The cornerstone of the Terre Haute Arts Corridor is the historic Indiana Theater. Designed by famed theater architect John Eberson in Spanish Andalusian style and opened in 1922, this theater seats 1,674 and houses a screen measuring 54 ft × 33 ft (16 m × 10 m), which is the second-largest in the state.[32]The theater, which had long sat vacant, was recently restored and is being used for concerts, film screenings, and other events.[33]

Terre Haute is home to several arts nonprofits, includingWabash Valley Art Spacesand Arts Illiana.

Performing arts

[edit]

Community Theatre of Terre Haute presented its first shows in 1928.[34]A staple of the Terre Haute arts scene, Community Theatre is a volunteer theatre producing five varied main stage plays and musical productions per year.

Terre Haute also features the Crossroads Repertory Theatre, a professional theater company with over a 40-year history. Its season is mid-June through late-July and performances include classic and new plays and musicals, as well as educational programs and staged reading of new plays.

Hatfield Hall is home to a 602-seat theater on the campus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. A performing arts series has been held annually at Hatfield Hall for over 10 years. Indiana State University holds a performing arts series on its campus, as well. The performances of both series range from Broadway musicals, musical acts, and plays to lectures and dance productions.

Music

[edit]
The Paul Dresser Birthplacein Fairbanks Park: Paul Dressercomposed Indiana's state song, " On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away".

Terre Haute has multiple music venues and a strong music community. The Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame recognizes local musicians yearly.[35]

Locally, the Blues at the Crossroads Festival brings more than 15,000 blues fans to the city the second weekend of September each year. A statewide high-school jazz festival is hosted annually by thePhi Mu Alphachapter at Indiana State University. Terre Haute is also the birthplace of musician/actorScatman Crothers.

The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, established in 1926, is the oldest professional orchestra in Indiana, antedating theIndianapolis Symphonyby four years. The Terre Haute Symphony started as a volunteer group of musicians who provided community entertainment, and has evolved into a group of paid professional musicians who complete auditions to demonstrate their skill level. A series of concerts is offered from September through April, as well as a free Children's Concert for about 3,000 fourth graders from the Wabash Valley.

Terre Haute is also home to various other music organizations, such as the Terre Haute Community Band, Terre Haute Sinfonietta Pops Orchestra, Terre Haute Children's Choir, Terre Haute Masterworks Chorale, Banks of the Wabash Chorus (which performs in Harmony Hall), the Sweet Harmony Women's Barbershop Chorus, and the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame.

Terre Haute nativePaul Dresserwas a late 19th-century singer, actor, songwriter, and music publisher, who became "one of the most important composers of the 1890s".[36]In 1913, theIndiana General Assemblynamed Dresser's biggest hit, "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" as the state song ofIndiana.[37]ThePaul Dresser Birthplacein Fairbanks Park is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[36][38]The Vigo County Historical Society operates the property as a museum, open by appointment.[39]In 2014, a bronze sculpture, sponsored by Art Spaces and created by Teresa Clark to celebrate the composer, was dedicated in Fairbanks Park near the Dresser House.[40]

Museums

[edit]
The Eugene V. Debs House, a National Historic Landmarkand museum

TheVigo County Historical Society Museumboasts a collection of artifacts in downtown Terre Haute into a 40,000 square foot, four-level building constructed in 1895. A triangle of museums is located downtown, with the Terre Haute Children's Museum and the Clabber Girl Museum just blocks away.

The three-story Children's Museum is at the intersection of Wabash Avenue and Eighth Street in downtown Terre Haute. It is a hands-on science and technology museum that has educated over 230,000 adults and children from over 22 counties in Indiana and Illinois. It has traveling exhibits focused on weather and space that educate children of Wabash Valley schools. The museum is a participant in a national consortium of 14 science and technology museums.

The Clabber Girl Museum is at Wabash and Ninth Street in downtown Terre Haute. Housed in the Hulman & Company building built in 1892, the museum has exhibits on the history ofClabber Girl, one of the oldest brands in America, and on the art of baking. The museum is adjacent to the building where the Clabber Girl Baking Powder is still manufactured today.

Kleptz Antique Auto Museum, at 625 Poplar Street, displays antique cars, motorcycles, and other auto memorabilia. Styles include a 1902 clear plastic car, a 1963 Chrysler Turbine, and a 1932 Duesenberg with a Judkins body.

TheCANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center, created by Holocaust survivorEva Mozes Kor, has exhibits and artifacts related to theHolocaust,eugenics, andforgiveness.

The Indiana Association of Track and Field and Cross-Country Museum is a new addition to the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Terre Haute was the home ofSocialist Party of Americaleader and five-time presidential nomineeEugene V. Debs. Hisformer homeis now a museum on the campus of Indiana State University. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966 and is now owned and operated by theDebs Foundation. The interior of the museum features many of Debs’ possessions and other artifacts from his lifetime. It is open to the public.[41]

Sports

[edit]

TheTerre Haute Rexis Terre Haute's collegiate summer baseball team, founded in 2010. A member of the Prospect League, the team plays its home games at Bob Warn Field at ISU's Sycamore Stadium, The Rex's season runs from late May through early August. The team gets its name from a product with a historic connection to the community,Rex Coffee, roasted and packed in downtown Terre Haute by Clabber Girl Corporation and for many years a household name across the Midwest.

The history of professional baseball in Terre Haute goes back to 1884 includes Hall-of-FamersMordecai BrownandMax Carey,Josh Devore, Negro League baseball all-starJunius Bibbs,Vic Aldridge,Art Nehf(who holds the National League record for most World Series games pitched),Paul "Dizzy" Trout,Jim "Jumbo" Elliott,Harry Taylor, andBill Butland. More recent professional stars include pitcherTommy John(who won 288 games in his 26-year major league career) and catcherBrian Dorsett, both of whom played for the New York Yankees during their careers. Terre Haute North graduateJosh Phegleyplayed parts of eight major league seasons and currently coaches atMichigan,[42]and Terre Haute South graduateA.J. Reedplayed parts of four seasons for the Astros and White Sox.[43]

Terre Haute was represented for 53 season in various leagues, chiefly theCentral Leagueand theThree-I League, winning seven titles (1901, 1922, 1924, 1932, 1950, 1952, and 1953) during that time.

Parks and recreation

[edit]

Terre Haute has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Division of Forestry for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources since 1999, and also received the Growth Award, which denotes a higher standard of excellence for urban forestry management. Indiana State University is one of four Tree Campuses in the state.[44]

Terre Haute Parks Department

[edit]
Pavilion in Collett Park

The Terre Haute Parks Department owns over 1,000 acres (400 ha) of dedicated land, including community parks, neighborhood parks, block parks, and two golf courses, as well as trails, greenways, and boulevards.[45]

Some highlights of the Terre Haute Parks Department include:

  • Deming Park – on the east side of Terre Haute at Fruitridge and Ohio Boulevard, it is the largest park, consisting of 177 acres (72 ha). It is home to the Oakley Playground, Clark-Lansdbaum Holly Arboretum, an 18-hole disc golf course, a public pool, the Spirit of Terre Haute Miniature Train, and a variety of sport facilitiesn including basketball and tennis courts.[46]
  • Dobbs Park – on the east side, Dobbs Park has a nature center and a Native American museum with an heirloom garden, a 3-acre (1.2 ha) pond, a restored prairie, a butterfly garden, and 3 miles (4.8 km) of trails that pass restored wetlands, through pine woods, old-growth and second-growth forest and a 25-acre (10 ha) state nature preserve.[47]
  • National Road Heritage Trail – a multi-use paved trail, it extends about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) from the Twigg Rest Area to the Indiana State University campus. It is used for running, walking, biking, and rollerblading.[48]

LaVern Gibson Championship Cross-Country Course

[edit]

TheLaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Coursehas the distinction of being one of the few purpose-built cross-country courses in the world. The facility is part of 240 acres (0.97 km2) that comprise theWabash Valley Family Sports Centereast of Terre Haute. The course is built on a reclaimed coal mine and consists of an external loop of 3 km (1.9 mi) and four internal loops that allow for circuits of varying lengths. Indiana State University's cross-country team uses the Gibson Course for its home meets. The course has also hosted NCAA national championship meets.

Government

[edit]
Vigo County Courthouse

Brandon Sakbun began his first term as Terre Haute's mayor in January 2024. During the 2023 mayoral election, Sakbun defeated incumbent Duke Bennett, who had served as mayor since 2008. Sakbun received 59% of the vote and is the youngest mayor in the city's history at 27.[49]

The city council has six members, each representing a district, and three at-large members.

Education

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Rankin Hall, on the campus of Indiana State University
Campus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, founded in 1874

Terre Haute is served by theVigo County School Corporation. The corporation manages 18 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, and two alternative schools, enrolling 14,642 students from kindergarten to grade 12.[50]

Terre Haute is also home to several higher-education establishments.

Indiana State University(ISU) is in downtown Terre Haute. It has an enrollment around 12,000. ThePrinceton Reviewplaced ISU on its "Best in the Midwest" list of college and universities for nine consecutive years.[51]ISU was also included in the Forbes' "America's Top 650 Colleges."[52]

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technologyis a private engineering school just east of the city. For 20 consecutive years,U.S. News & World Reporthas ranked it the nation's number-one undergraduate engineering school among institutions whose highest degree in engineering is the master's.[53]It has an enrollment near 2,200 students on its 200-acre (81 ha) campus.

There is also anIvy Tech Community College, a full-servicecommunity collegewhich is part of the statewide system, in Terre Haute.

The city has a lending library, theVigo County Public Library.[54]

Media

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Newspaper

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Magazines

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Television

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  • WTWO- NBC affiliate - Channel 2.1 (CW+ - 2.2; Court TV Mystery - 2.3; Antenna TV - 2.4)
  • WTHI- CBS affiliate - Channel 10.1 (Fox/MyNet - 10.2; MeTV - 10.3; Ion - 10.4; MeTV Toons - 10.5 (coming soon))
  • WAWV- ABC affiliate - Channel 38.1 (Grit - 38.2; Bounce - 38.3; Rewind TV - 38.4)

Radio

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  • WISU- 89.7 FM - NPR (RebroadcastsWFYI)
  • WZIS- 90.7 FM - Variety
  • WHOJ- 91.9 FM - Religious (Catholic)
  • WFNB- 92.7 FM - Active Rock
  • WEHP- 93.7 FM - Silent
  • W236AE- 95.1 FM - Classical (Rebroadcasts 103.7 WFIU)
  • WHLR- 95.9 FM - Classic Country
  • WMKI-LP- 96.9 FM - Alternative/Indie
  • WWVR- 98.5 FM - Classic Rock
  • WTHI- 99.9 FM - Country
  • WMGI- 100.7 FM - Top40/Pop
  • WBOW- 102.7 FM - Classic Hits
  • WVIG- 105.5 FM - Classic country
  • WYLJ- 107.5 FM - Religious (3ABN Radio)
  • WAMB- 1130 AM / 99.5 FM / 106.9 FM - Adult Contemporary
  • WIBQ- 1230 AM / 97.9 FM - News Talk
  • WPFR- 1480 AM / 106.3 FM - Conservative Talk

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Airports

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Two airports serve Terre Haute. TheTerre Haute Regional Airportis home to Hulman Field (HUF). The airport has a partnership with multiple military units including the 181st Intelligence Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard. It also houses a flight academy through ISU.[55]Sky King Airportis 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Terre Haute and mostly serves training and recreational flights.

Highways

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  • Interstate 70to St. Louis (west) and Indianapolis (east): Terre Haute is served by multiple exits. Exit 11 connects with State Road 46, and Exit 7 connects with U.S. 41 on the southwest side of the city. Exit 3 servesWest Terre Haute, Indiana, via Darwin Road, which provides easy access to downtown Terre Haute viaUS 150. Exit 1 onto National Drive is marked for both Terre Haute and West Terre Haute, but is only accessible via the eastbound lanes of I-70.
  • US 40toEffingham(west) andIndianapolis(east). Travels with Interstate 70. US 40 ran through Terre Haute on Wabash Ave., but in January 2011 INDOT gave the road to the city and paid the city to take care of Wabash Ave.
  • US 41toRockville(north) andEvansville(south). It is the main north–south thoroughfare on Terre Haute's west side. From Maple St. south to I-70, it is marked as 3rd St.; along this stretch is US-41's interchange with I-70.
  • US 150enters Terre Haute from neighboringWest Terre Haute, Indiana. At 3rd St., US-150 turns south, following the path of US-41.
  • SR 46begins at its intersection with US 40 just west ofRose-Hulman. From here, the highway runs south with US 40 to an interchange with I-70. The road then heads throughRileyon its way toBloomington.
  • SR 63enters Terre Haute on the city's north side crossing theWabash River. SR 63 ends at the interchange with US 41 on the north side of town.
  • SR 641, also known as the Terre Haute Bypass, is a limited access highway running from the interchange of IN-46 and I-70 to US-41 near theindustrial parkon the city's southside.[56]
  • SR 42serves the far eastern edge of the city and passes by Terre Haute Regional Airport. It ends at an intersection with US 40 and IN-46.

Bus service

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All city and intercity buses serve the downtown Cherry Street Multi-Modal Transportation Facility.[57]

  • TheTerre Haute Transit Utilityprovides bus service via seven day and three evening routes[58]throughout the city. The system's ridership in 2012 was 376,763.[59]
  • Greyhound Linesprovides interstate bus service (St. Louis—Indianapolis).
  • Miller Transportation[60]Hoosier Ride provides daily round trip express and local bus service to Indianapolis.

Railways

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Historically, the city was a rail hub. TheNew York Central Railroadused theBig Four Depot. Its last train was theSt. Louis-New York CitySouthwestern Limitedin 1967.[61]The last train serving Terre Haute,Amtrak'sKansas City, Missouri-New York City train,National Limited,stopped running in 1979.

TheChicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad,Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad('Milwaukee Road') and thePennsylvania RailroadusedUnion Station.[citation needed]Prior to the 1971 establishment of Amtrak, thePenn Central(combined company after the merger of the New York Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad), ran these St. Louis-New York City trains through Terre Haute:Penn Texasand theSpirit of St. Louis.Until 1965 the C&EI ran theDixie FlyerfromChicagothrough Terre Haute, toEvansville,Nashville,Atlanta, and on toJacksonville, Florida.[62][63]Until 1968 the C&EI ran theGeorgianfrom Chicago through Terre Haute, on the same route to Atlanta.[64][65]Up to the same time, the C&EI ran through Terre Haute theNew Orleans-boundHumming Bird.[66]

Notable people

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Legends

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One well-known Terre Haute legend is the story of Stiffy Green, a stone bulldog that allegedly at one time guarded the mausoleum inHighland Lawn Cemeteryof florist John G. Heinl, the brother-in-law ofEugene V. Debsand the father of journalistRobert Debs Heinl.[67]The statue is now housed in the Vigo County Historical Society Museum, in Terre Haute.[68]

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ComedianSteve Martinreferred to Terre Haute as "Nowhere, U.S.A." in an interview withPlayboyin 1978. He made these claims after a performance in the same year where he stated that he had difficulty finding any open downtown restaurants. He then was invited back to take a tour of the city in December 1979. He then premiered his filmThe Jerkat one of the city's theatres.[69]In Martin's 1982 filmDead Men Don't Wear Plaid, he mocked Terre Haute at the end. He saved the world from being decimated by a cheese bomb, and only Terre Haute was hit. Martin then says "Damn, and they were about to get a public library.[70]

In the television showFamily Affair, the three siblings, Cissy, Buffy, and Jody, were originally from Terre Haute.[71]

Sister cities

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Terre Haute has two sister city relationships:

See also

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References

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Specific
  1. ^"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  2. ^"US Board on Geographic Names".United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. RetrievedJuly 13,2016.
  3. ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau. RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  4. ^"Terre Haute".Dictionary.com Unabridged(Online). n.d. RetrievedApril 13,2021.
  5. ^"Find a County". National Association of Counties. RetrievedJune 7,2011.
  6. ^"U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Terre Haute city, Indiana".www.census.gov. RetrievedOctober 22,2023.
  7. ^McCormick, Mike (2005).Terre Haute: Queen City of the Wabash. Arcadia.ISBN9780738524061.
  8. ^The Road from Detroit to the Illinois1774. InMichigan Pioneer and History Collections, V10 p 248. AvailableonlineArchivedMarch 21, 2008, at theWayback Machineat theGlenn A. BlackLaboratory of Archaeology website.
  9. ^Condit, Blackford (1900).The History of Early Terre Haute from 1816 to 1849. New York: A. S. Barnes. p. 37. RetrievedOctober 14,2023.
  10. ^Condit, Blackford (1900).The History of Early Terre Haute from 1816 to 1849. New York: A. S. Barnes. p. 30. RetrievedOctober 14,2023.
  11. ^Batic, Eloise; Giacomelli, Angela (Spring 2013). "Wulf's Hall: Great Hope in the Midst of the Great Flood".Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History.25(2). Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society: 6.
  12. ^"The Great Flood of 1913, 100 Years Later: Other Weather Events in 1913". Silver Jackets. 2013. RetrievedJuly 29,2013.
  13. ^"Indiana: Tornadoes causing 10 or more deaths". The Tornado Project. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016. RetrievedJuly 29,2013.
  14. ^abBell, Trudy E. (Spring 2006). "Forgotten Waters: Indiana's Great Easter Flood of 1913".Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History.18(2). Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society: 6.
  15. ^McCormick, Mike (2005).Terre Haute: Queen City of the Wabash. Arcadia. p. 148.ISBN9780738524061.
  16. ^MarkBuckshon (September 6, 2019)."$25 million Terre Haute Convention Center breaks ground | Indiana Construction News".www.indianaconstructionnews.com. RetrievedApril 29,2020.
  17. ^Loughlin, Sue."ISU dedicates Scott College of Business",Terre Haute Tribune-Star, October 5, 2010.
  18. ^Loughlin, Sue."Barnes & Noble opens downtown store",Terre Haute Tribune-Star, April 12, 2011.
  19. ^Loughlin Sue."ISU's new downtown student housing complex already fully leased",Terre Haute Tribune-Star, June 30, 2015.
  20. ^Pinsker, Adam."Vigo County Casino Vote Passes Overwhelmingly".News - Indiana Public Media. RetrievedMay 1,2020.
  21. ^"G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1".United States Census Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2020. RetrievedJuly 29,2015.
  22. ^Arthur Foulkes,"Drilling for oil at ISU: Derrick appears on campus,"Terre Haute Tribune Star, December 16, 2013.
  23. ^"Terre Haute, Indiana Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".Weatherbase.
  24. ^"NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. RetrievedMay 29,2021.
  25. ^"Station: Terre Haute RGNL AP, IN".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. RetrievedMay 29,2021.
  26. ^"Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. RetrievedJune 4,2015.
  27. ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau. RetrievedDecember 11,2012.
  28. ^abFederal Bureau of Prisons."FCC Terre Haute". Archived fromthe originalon September 23, 2006.
  29. ^Foulkes, Arthur (September 1, 2010)."Terre Haute named 2010 Indiana Chamber 'Community of the Year'".Tribune Star. RetrievedMarch 4,2011.
  30. ^Dennis, Shana (August 16, 2010)."Arts Corridor brings artistic flair to Terre Haute".Indiana Statesman. Archived fromthe originalon July 13, 2011. RetrievedMarch 4,2011.
  31. ^Kash, Steve (September 23, 2009)."The Arts Scene: First Friday in Terre Haute".Tribune Star. Archived fromthe originalon January 11, 2013. RetrievedMarch 4,2011.
  32. ^"Indiana Theatre in Terre Haute, IN - Cinema Treasures".cinematreasures.org.
  33. ^"Indiana Theatre Event Center".indianatheater.com.
  34. ^Hazledine, Jane Cunningham."A History of Community Theatre of Terre Haute 1947–1991". Archived fromthe originalon December 4, 2010. RetrievedMarch 4,2011.
  35. ^"About Us".Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame. Archived fromthe originalon February 16, 2011. RetrievedFebruary 15,2011.
  36. ^ab"Paul Dresser". Songwriters Hall of Fame Virtual Museum. Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2013. RetrievedFebruary 6,2013.
  37. ^"Indiana State Song". Indianapolis:Indiana Historical Society. Archived fromthe originalon June 8, 2013. RetrievedFebruary 6,2013.
  38. ^"National Register of Historic Places State Listings". Washington, D.C.: National Park Service. RetrievedFebruary 6,2013.
  39. ^"Travels in Time: Hoosiers in the Arts"(PDF). Indianapolis: Indiana Department of Natural Resources.Archived(PDF)from the original on February 15, 2009. RetrievedFebruary 6,2013.
  40. ^Dianne Frances D. Powell,"Sculpture for Indiana state song dedicated by Wabash River,"Terre Haute Tribune Star, October 15, 2014.
  41. ^"About the Museum – The Eugene V. Debs Foundation".debsfoundation.org. RetrievedApril 14,2018.
  42. ^"Phegley Named Director of Player Development".University of Michigan Athletics. RetrievedFebruary 12,2024.
  43. ^"AJ Reed Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More".Baseball-Reference.com. RetrievedFebruary 12,2024.
  44. ^Trigg, Lisa (April 18, 2013)."Earth Day activities abound as Terre Haute again gains Tree City designation".Tribune Star. RetrievedApril 19,2013.
  45. ^"Terre Haute Parks Department". City of Terre Haute Government. RetrievedJanuary 31,2013.
  46. ^"Deming Park". City of Terre Haute Government. RetrievedJanuary 31,2013.
  47. ^"Dobbs Memorial Park". City of Terre Haute Government. November 23, 2008. RetrievedJanuary 31,2013.
  48. ^"National Road Heritage Trail". City of Terre Haute Government. RetrievedJanuary 31,2013.
  49. ^"Mark Bennett: Brandon Sakbun will be youngest mayor in Terre Haute history". November 9, 2023.
  50. ^"IDOE: Compass".compass.doe.in.gov. RetrievedApril 29,2020.
  51. ^Taylor, Dave."Princeton Review again rates Indiana State among Midwest's best". Indiana State University. RetrievedJanuary 18,2013.
  52. ^Taylor, Dave."ISU again makes Forbes 'Top Colleges' list". RetrievedJanuary 18,2013.
  53. ^"In the national spotlight". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. RetrievedJune 5,2019.
  54. ^"Indiana public library directory"(PDF). Indiana State Library. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on February 18, 2017. RetrievedMarch 15,2018.
  55. ^Arceo, Austin."ISU Communications & Marketing Staff". Indiana State University. RetrievedJanuary 15,2013.
  56. ^"SR 641 - Terre Haute Bypass Home Page". Archived fromthe originalon August 3, 2008. RetrievedJuly 31,2008.
  57. ^"Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment :: Cherry Street Transit Facility". Thredevelopment.org. May 28, 2002. Archived fromthe originalon December 15, 2012. RetrievedNovember 2,2012.
  58. ^"Terre Haute Transit Utility". City of Terre Haute Government. October 23, 2010. RetrievedNovember 2,2012.
  59. ^2012 Indiana Public Transit Annual Report, Dept. of Transportation, August 2013.
  60. ^"hoosierride.com". hoosierride.com. November 1, 2012. RetrievedJanuary 31,2013.
  61. ^Indiana Historical Society-We Do History, 'Franklin D. Roosevelt at New York Central Station, Terre Haute, Indiana'http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/P0129/id/146
  62. ^Cox, Jim (2011).Rails Across Dixie: A History of Passenger Trains in the American South. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company. p. 139.ISBN978-0786461752.
  63. ^"Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, Table 1".Official Guide of the Railways.96(1). National Railway Publication Company. June 1963.
  64. ^American Rails,The Georgianhttps://www.american-rails.com/georgian.html
  65. ^Mike Schafer and Joe Welsh,Classic American Streamliners,1997, pp. 118-20
  66. ^"Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, Table 1".Official Guide of the Railways.100(5). National Railway Publication Company. October 1967.
  67. ^Mike McCormick."John G. Heinl Profile". First Financial Bank on the Indiana State University website. RetrievedJuly 31,2013.
  68. ^"Stiffy Green the Bulldog". Roadside America. RetrievedJune 3,2010.
  69. ^Bennett, Mark (August 1, 2013)."Steve Martin keeps Terre Haute on burner". Tribune Star. RetrievedJanuary 21,2022.
  70. ^"Dead Men Don't wear Plaid".IMDb.
  71. ^Family Affair (TV Series 1966–1971) - Trivia - IMDb, retrievedMarch 17,2024
  72. ^"Sister Cities International – Indiana State Chapter". Liberalarts.iupui.edu. October 15, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon March 25, 2008. RetrievedJanuary 31,2013.
  73. ^Tribune-Star, Lisa TriggThe (August 10, 2013)."Former Terre Haute mayor opposes petition to end sister city program with Russian town".tribstar.com. RetrievedApril 14,2018.
General
  • McCormick, Mike (November 2005).Terre Haute: Queen City of the Wabash. Arcadia.ISBN0-7385-2406-9.
  • Nolan, John Matthew "2,543 Days: A History of the Hotel at theGrand Rapids Damon the Wabash River" Discusses Charles T. Hinde, one of the silent investors of the Hotel del Coronado and how the Hotel del Coronado influenced theGrand Rapids HotelinWabash County, Illinois.
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