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Winamac, Indiana
Pulaski County Courthouse
Pulaski County Courthouse
Motto(s): 
"Built On The Tippecanoe River"
Location of Winamac in Pulaski County, Indiana.
Location of Winamac in Pulaski County, Indiana.
Country United States
State Indiana
County Pulaski
Township Monroe
Founded by John Pearson
Area
 • Total 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2)
 • Land 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
702 ft (214 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,318
 • Density 1,703.16/sq mi (657.42/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern(EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
46996
Area code(s) 574
FIPS code 18-84734
GNIS feature ID 2397747

Winamac is a town in Monroe Township, Pulaski County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 2,490 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pulaski County.

History

The town's name came from the Potawatomi word for "catfish." It was selected as the county seat in 1839. Winamac was incorporated as a town in 1868.

The Winamac post office has been in operation since 1839.

Pulaski County Courthouse, Dr. George W. Thompson House, and Vurpillat's Opera House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable Landmarks

Winamac has several local landmarks scattered throughout the town.

The Artesian Well

In June 1877, the Winamac Gas and Oil company began drilling near th Tippecanoe River. Instead of oil, they discovered a water vein at 264 feet below the ground. In the following years, demand for the well's water created a small industry within the community, and local boys ventured to earn money by delivering this water to homes. During this time, the water was marketed as containing healing properties. Interest in the well had died down by the end of the 19th century. By 1920, the well had fallen victim to vandalism and decay, and was subsequently repaired. Unfortunately, the well's water pressure was later compromised by other local projects, causing it to dry up. It was capped, and an informational plaque was dedicated to the well on the 100th anniversary of its drilling. Today, it stands as a reminder of local history on the west side of the town park.

The Memorial Swinging Bridge

The Winamac Town Park is home to a large suspension bridge over the Tippecanoe River. This bridge was dedicated on July 4, 1923, in honor of soldiers and sailors from the Civil War onward. It has since been a popular local attraction, serving as the subject of many greeting cards and photoshoots since its dedication.

In 2020, the "Light Up Our Legacy Project" began, hoping to raise money to install LED lights on the bridge. The goal was reached, and the bridge underwent renovations through early spring of 2023, with the goal of unveiling the lights on July 4, 2023.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Winamac has a total area of 1.36 square miles (3.52 km2), all land.

Climate

Climate data for Winamac, Indiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–1906, 1918–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 71
(22)
75
(24)
86
(30)
92
(33)
96
(36)
108
(42)
109
(43)
103
(39)
101
(38)
92
(33)
82
(28)
71
(22)
109
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 54.3
(12.4)
57.3
(14.1)
70.9
(21.6)
80.2
(26.8)
87.9
(31.1)
91.9
(33.3)
92.1
(33.4)
90.9
(32.7)
89.8
(32.1)
82.4
(28.0)
69.0
(20.6)
57.1
(13.9)
94.0
(34.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 32.5
(0.3)
36.3
(2.4)
47.8
(8.8)
60.7
(15.9)
71.8
(22.1)
80.7
(27.1)
83.5
(28.6)
81.9
(27.7)
76.6
(24.8)
64.2
(17.9)
49.1
(9.5)
37.2
(2.9)
60.2
(15.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 24.1
(−4.4)
27.3
(−2.6)
37.6
(3.1)
49.5
(9.7)
60.8
(16.0)
70.1
(21.2)
73.0
(22.8)
71.3
(21.8)
64.8
(18.2)
52.9
(11.6)
40.1
(4.5)
29.5
(−1.4)
50.1
(10.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 15.8
(−9.0)
18.3
(−7.6)
27.5
(−2.5)
38.3
(3.5)
49.8
(9.9)
59.4
(15.2)
62.6
(17.0)
60.6
(15.9)
53.1
(11.7)
41.7
(5.4)
31.0
(−0.6)
21.8
(−5.7)
40.0
(4.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −6.1
(−21.2)
−1.0
(−18.3)
11.4
(−11.4)
23.7
(−4.6)
34.9
(1.6)
44.8
(7.1)
51.3
(10.7)
50.8
(10.4)
39.8
(4.3)
28.2
(−2.1)
17.0
(−8.3)
3.1
(−16.1)
−9.9
(−23.3)
Record low °F (°C) −29
(−34)
−21
(−29)
−9
(−23)
8
(−13)
22
(−6)
32
(0)
41
(5)
34
(1)
24
(−4)
16
(−9)
−10
(−23)
−25
(−32)
−29
(−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.52
(64)
2.07
(53)
2.49
(63)
3.71
(94)
4.10
(104)
4.27
(108)
4.73
(120)
4.18
(106)
3.36
(85)
3.16
(80)
2.84
(72)
2.38
(60)
39.81
(1,011)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.5
(24)
6.5
(17)
3.5
(8.9)
0.4
(1.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.0
(2.5)
5.6
(14)
26.5
(67)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.7 8.5 9.8 11.1 12.7 11.7 10.4 9.4 9.1 10.7 10.0 10.5 124.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 4.9 3.7 1.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 3.3 14.8
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 206
1870 906 339.8%
1880 835 −7.8%
1890 1,215 45.5%
1900 1,684 38.6%
1910 1,607 −4.6%
1920 1,684 4.8%
1930 1,679 −0.3%
1940 1,835 9.3%
1950 2,166 18.0%
1960 2,375 9.6%
1970 2,341 −1.4%
1980 2,370 1.2%
1990 2,262 −4.6%
2000 2,418 6.9%
2010 2,490 3.0%
2020 2,320 −6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,490 people, 1,028 households, and 617 families living in the town. The population density was 1,830.9 inhabitants per square mile (706.9/km2). There were 1,140 housing units at an average density of 838.2 units per square mile (323.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.2% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 1,028 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the town was 38.8 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

Education

The community is located in the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation.

The town has a lending library, the Pulaski County Public Library.

Economy

BraunAbility is based in Winamac.

Notable people

  • Ralph Braun, businessman
  • John Buchanan, biochemist
  • Justin Haley, NASCAR driver
  • David E. Lilienthal, lawyer and head of Tennessee Valley Authority and Atomic Energy Commission
  • Judith A. Myers, Illinois state senator and educator
  • Carl W. Riddick, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana, editor of the Winamac Republican newspaper

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Winamac (Indiana) para niños

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