Holland

Holland owes much to its founder, Henry Kunz. A German native, Kunz settled in the Holland area when it was a primeval forest. He realized the potential of a general store near the intersection of the area’s two German communities. (The area had mainly been settled by one group of Germans from Ladbergen and another group from Osnabrück.) Kunz’s store became the social and economic center of the growing community, and he realized an official town would enhance his business. On May 20, 1859, Holland was platted. Kunz's store was the anchor of the town for decades and grew to include general merchandise, hardware, a post office, and a photography studio. Kunz died in 1885 and is buried with his wife, Maria, in the Holland Methodist Cemetery. According to the History of Dubois County from Its Primitive Days to 1910, many of the area’s early settlers referred to Holland as “Kunztown.”

How did a town founded by a German settler and located in Dubios County, known for its German heritage, get the name “Holland?” The Holland Community Festival’s website explains:

Farming was the occupation of a large majority of the Germans coming to southwest Dubois County. They left their Fatherland in search of homesteading a farm in the fertile soil of the American West. A challenge for many of these would-be German Americans was raising funds to make the journey to the United States. While jobs were difficult to find in their homeland, Holland, the Netherlands welcomed the farm laborers to work in the bogs and grasslands of the Low Country. Between planting and harvesting many men made their way to Holland in an annual event known as “Holland Gegangen” or Holland Going. The work was strenuous, but the financial reward made it worthwhile. With the economic gain many young men and families could book one way passage to the United States.

As southwest Dubois County became more populated, the need for workers to clear forests and build farms became lucrative to young men arriving from Germany. In neighboring Huntingburg, just like many of them did in Germany, workers found themselves leaving the largest community in the area to find employment in labor intensive fields in the countryside. Understandably, laborers dubbed the area in which they worked Holland. When men returned to Huntingburg and were asked where they were employed many responded with comments such as “We’re downing trees in Holland” (A reference to their years of difficult toil back in Europe). By the mid-1840s German Methodist circuit riders in their official journals referred to the area southwest of Huntingburg as Holland.

Today, Holland has a population of 626. State Road 161 runs along the eastern border of the town. On the north side of town is Lakeside Park. The park includes trails along Holland Lake, sport facilities, playgrounds, a shelter house, and a WINDMILL!

The Windmill Chill is located next to the park and just off SR 161. I highly recommend stopping in Holland and ordering a treat!

References:

• Wilson, G. R. (1910). History of Dubois County from its primitive days to 1910.

• Holland Community Festival. (n.d.). Holland: A German heritage and an American venture. Retrieved from http://www.hollandindiana.org/history/

China

China, Indiana is located in Jefferson County, along State Road 62 and the Indian-Kentuck Creek.

The Indian-Kentuck Creek, which runs into the Ohio River about 10 miles south of China, was important in the village’s early days. The creek had the ability to support mills. According to some accounts, Samuel Demaree, who died in 1826, founded the China Paper Mill. Another account states that Henry Jackson and James Hamilton started the paper mill between 1835 and 1840. Ownership of the China Paper Mill changed several times until the 1860s, when William W. Demaree sold the boiler and engine of the mill. Saw and grist mills also operated along the creek. Elma Schafer writes that the longest mill operation in the China area belonged to Heitz family. Three generations owned and operated a mill between 1850 and the 1930s, despite several destructive fires.

Religion is also important in China’s history. Center, also known as Central, Presbyterian Church was founded in the early 1830s; the exact date is not known. In 1833, land was sold to the church trustees. Moses Wilder, a member of the American Tract Society, served as a minister. Wilder also became China’s first postmaster in 1833. However, Center Presbyterian does not appear to have lasted long.

In the 1840s, German Catholic began settling in the area around China. The early settlers attended services in Madison. The first mass in China was celebrated on June 13, 1849 in the home of John “Hans” Weber. Soon a parish was started. Schafer explains, “St. Anthony was chosen as the patron and name of the church since the first Mass was held on the feast of St. Anthony, June 13.” A log church was completed in 1861. In 1869, a stone church was constructed and still stands today.

St. Anthony’s Catholic School operated from 1870 until 1912. Schafer retells a story about Bertha Zapp, a teacher at the school:

“[She] taught at China in 1903 – 1904 and was responsible for saving her children from a flood. Apparently the water burst into the district school at China and the flood reached the desks of the children. Miss Zapp would grab as many children as she could carry and waded through the swirling water to safety. She returned until the entire class was evacuated.”

In 1993, St. Anthony’s and several parishes in Jefferson County merged to form Prince of Peace in Madison. The stone church is now owned by Shepherds of Christ Ministries, a Catholic retreat.

From the picture, you can see that the church does not face the road (SR 62). An earlier road followed the creek and was on the other side of the church. The road was moved in 1912.

The origin of the village’s name is not clear. Schafer writes that the name came from Father Munschina, who served and visited German Catholics in the Madison area. However, the Catholics did not settle around China until the 1840s, after a post office named China was established. In Needmore to Prosperity, Robert L. Baker explains that the village was originally called Indiana Kentucky. However, “the name was changed by the Post Office Department to China, apparently for the country, on January 30, 1833, when a post office was established.” China’s post office closed in 1902, after two earlier interruptions in service. Today, China has a few homes, the retreat center, and a thrift store located at the village’s old general store.

Sources:

• Baker, R. L. (1995). From Needmore to Prosperity : Hoosier place names in folklore and history. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
• Scafer, E. (1993). The history of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and community, China, Indiana, 1849 - 1993.
• Scott, R.W. (2012). The history of Jefferson County. Raleigh: Lulu Enterprises

Peru

It can be difficult to determine when the history of a community begins. Founding dates are helpful, but there are fascinating stories and important events that occur before an official founding. This is certainly true for Peru, Indiana.

On October 23, 1826, the Treaty of Mississinewa was signed at the mouth of the Mississinewa River. In the treaty the Miami people ceded their land in Indiana to the United States government. As part of the agreement, large estates were reserved for influential chiefs. Principal Chief Jean Baptiste de Richardville owned the tract of land where Peru would later be platted.

Richardville transferred 640 acres of his estate to Joseph Holman for $500 in August 1827. President John Quincy Adams approved this transfer in March 1828. Holman sold 210 acres of the 640 acres to William N. Hood for $500. 

Holman and Hood were both influential men in the state. Holman served as a delegate to the 1816 Indiana Constitutional Convention, was elected to the state legislature in several stints representing various parts of the state, and was appointed “Receiver of Moneys” at the land office in Fort Wayne under Presidents James Monroe and John Quincy Adams. Hood was elected to the state legislature in 1836 and 1838.

A rivalry developed between the two men. Both worked to establish the county seat for the soon-to-be-formed Miami County. Holman founded Miamisport, and Hood founded Peru. The History of Miami County describes the tense times: “Prior to that time the two men had been good friends. Now they became bitter enemies. Violent words were passed between them on several occasions and the quarrel became a matter of comment for the entire population.”

On his land, Holman laid out Miamisport in March 1829. The little village prospered and looked to become the county seat. In early 1834, Hood had a town surveyed just east of Miamisport. An account of the survey states, “When Peru was laid out the site was entirely covered with heavy timber and a thick, impenetrable growth of underbrush.” This did not deter Hood. When the county commissioners met in June 1834, Hood promised to donate the public square, erect a brick courthouse and log jail, and give tracts to church congregations at no cost. Also, he promised merchants in Miamisport free or discounted lots in Peru. With these promises, Hood and Peru won the county seat. Peru soon grew out of its original plat and absorbed Miamisport.

Much more of Peru’s history can be learned at the Miami County Museum! The museum is home to 150,000 objects and archival material. Some objects are a bit peculiar, including the overall bids of the world’s tallest man.

The museum also has Cole Porter’s 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood. The famous composer-songwriter was born and grew up in Peru. His birthplace is now the Cole Porter Inn.

Located south of Peru is the Grissom Air Reserve Base. Exhibits and historic aircraft can be seen at the Grissom Air Museum.

Peru is most famous for the being the “Circus Capital of the World.” Two museums tell the story of the circus in Peru. The International Circus Hall of Fame is located on the old circus winter quarters. The Circus City Museum is located in the City Circus Center. The Circus City Festival takes place over the course of nine days each July. During the festival, there is a youth circus featuring 200 local amateur performers.

Looking for something more reserved than a circus? Visit the Seven Pillars! The Seven Pillars are located southeast of Peru along the Mississinewa River. The pillars and alcoves were formed as wind and water eroded the limestone over many centuries. Some call the scenic location one of Indiana's best-kept secrets.

Driving between the Seven Pillars and the city, you pass one of the houses built for Chief Richardville. It is a reminder of the events that impacted the founding of Peru.

One question still remains: Why the name Peru? One historical account states, “Someone of the surveying party asked Hood what he was going to call his town, and he replied that he didn’t care, so it was a short name. A number of names were suggested and they finally agreed to call the new town Peru.” Robert L. Baker in Needmore to Prosperity offers two explanations: “The name probably is for the country in South America, via Peru, New York, home of early settlers. Though it also said to be a Miami word meaning ‘a straight place in the river.’” 

Two other communities in Miami County share their names with foreign countries. Read more about Chili and Mexico!

Sources:

• Baker, R. L. (1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier place names in folklore and history. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
• Bodurtha, A. L, &; Lilly, J. Kirby. (1914). History of Miami County, Indiana: a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests. Chicago: Lewis Pub.
• (1887). History of Miami County, Indiana: from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc.: together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the state of Indiana. Chicago: Brant &; Fuller.
• Seven Pillars. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2015, from http://www.miamicountyin.gov/sevenpillars.htm

Mexico

Three communities in Miami County share their monikers with countries. Last post: Chili. This post: Mexico. Next post: Peru.

John and Simeon Wilkinson laid out Mexico in August 1834 along the Eel River. The community developed around a trading post. Robert L. Baker in Needmore to Prosperity offers two stories for why the community is called Mexico. The community is likely named for the country, "apparently because of sympathy for the Mexican struggle for independence." An alternate story (which is more of a legend) is the community was named Mexico because “many Mexicans made it their trading point when the town was just a trading post.”

For more than 75 years, a major part of the community was the Mexico Home, an orphanage and home for seniors. A plaque marks the site of the Mexico Home and provides a brief history:

A Home for Old Folks and Orphans was established on a fifteen acre plot north of this marker in 1889 by the Middle Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren. Levi Miller, of Mexico, was the founder and chief benefactor. 600 older adults and 1500 orphans were cared for in this Home. The orphanage closed in 1943. The Home for adults continued at this site until 1968 when it moved to North Manchester and become Timbercrest. This plaque commemorates 100 years of service by the Church of the Brethren, Inc. through the Mexico Home and Timbercrest. 1889 – 1989 

A complete history of the Mexico Home can be found here. Timbercrest is still owned by the churches of the Brethren in Indiana.

Chili

Chili, Indiana is named after Chile the country. You didn’t misread. I didn’t mistype. This small community in Miami County is called Chili, and it is named after Chile.

Why the “i” and not an “e”? It is not because the settlers of Chili liked the pepper or Cincinnati-style chili. It is also not because they were confused or misinformed about the spelling of the country in South America.

“Chili” is an older spelling of Chile. When the town adopted its name, “Chili” was the standard English spelling of the country's name. The town was platted under the name New Market in 1839. In 1843, a post office named Chili was established.

Country names are popular in Miami County. Peru and Mexico are located near Chili. Look for these blog posts in the coming weeks!

Sources:

• Baker, R. L. (1995). From Needmore to Prosperity : Hoosier place names in folklore and history. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
• McPherson, A. (1993). Indian names in Indiana. [Indiana: s.n.].
• (1998). Miami County : Interim report. [Indianapolis, Ind.]: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

Morocco

Morocco is a town of about 1,100 in Beaver Township in Newton County. John and Jane Murphy, the first white settlers to Beaver Township, arrived in 1838. John platted the town of Morocco in 1851.

The local legend is that while clearing the land, John and others met a man passing through wearing Moroccan leather boots, and the town became known as Morocco. A red boot is displayed prominently on the sign along SR 41 welcoming visitors to the town.

Drivers on SR 41 will also see a sign showcasing baseball player Sam Rice, who was born in Morocco. Rice was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963.

Sources:

• Baker, R. L. (1995). From Needmore to Prosperity : Hoosier place names in folklore and history. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
• (2009). Newton County : Interim report. [Indianapolis: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana,].

Brazil

According to most accounts and the most popular accounts, Brazil, Indiana is named after the South American country. On its website, the City of Brazil shares this story about the origin of its name:

“One day early in 1843 [William Stewart aka Yankee Bill] was seated on a log on a spot now occupied by Brazil Bank and Trust Co. discussing with Owen Thorpe the location of a town site at this point on the National Road which and recently been completed through Indiana. Mr. Thorpe owned considerable land where Brazil now stands and donated the ground in 1843, and platted the town, consisting of 28 lots. It is told that he asked Yankee Bill for a suggestion for a name. Yankee Bill, who was a careful reader of the occasional newspapers which came in to the wilderness and had been reading about the revolution in Brazil, South America, suggested the name “Brazil” as a short and easily remembered name for the new town.” 

The city’s connection to the country is not limited to their shared name. In 1956 the Brazilian ambassador gave the Chafariz dos Contos fountain to the city.   

Brazil is the county seat of Clay County and home to the county’s courthouse built of limestone. Read more about Brazil’s extensive history here. Learn how coal mines, clay factories, and the location along the National Road impacted the city's early growth.



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