Wildcat Township, Tipton County, Indiana
| Wildcat Township | |
|---|---|
| Township | |
 Location in Tipton County | |
| Coordinates: 40°22′17″N 85°55′34″W / 40.37139°N 85.92611°WCoordinates: 40°22′17″N 85°55′34″W / 40.37139°N 85.92611°W | |
| Country |
 United States |
| State |
 Indiana |
| County | Tipton |
| Government | |
| • Type | Indiana township |
| Area | |
| • Total | 34.82 sq mi (90.2 km2) |
| • Land | 34.8 sq mi (90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) 0.06% |
| Elevation | 863 ft (263 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,421 |
| • Density | 40.8/sq mi (15.8/km2) |
| ZIP codes | 46036, 46072, 46076 |
| Area code(s) | 765 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0454059 |
Wildcat Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,421 and it contained 644 housing units.[1]
History
It was originally part of the Miami Indian reservation until 1847, when the land was available for purchase by white settlers. However, the area had begun to be settled by white squatters as early as 1845.[2] Early farmers traveled to Lafayette to sell farm animals like hogs. Wheat was sold in Peru and settlers traveled as far as Perkinsville to have access to a mill.[3] The earliest religious congregation founded in the township was a Baptist one, in the mid 1800s.[4]
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 34.82 square miles (90.2 km2), of which 34.8 square miles (90 km2) (or 99.94%) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.052 km2) (or 0.06%) is water.[1]
Natural environment
Historically, Wildcat Township is very flat. Prior to extensive white settlement, the area had forests with spicebush, dogwood, willow, elm, poplar, beech, sugar tree, ash, and linn. By the early 1900s, the majority of timber had been cut down.[5][6] The soil is made of "deep, black vegetable mold," that sits on top of "impervious clay sub-soil" and is good for agriculture.[5]
Cities, towns, villages
- Windfall City (known as Windfall)
Adjacent townships
- Union Township, Howard County (north)
- Green Township, Grant County (northeast)
- Duck Creek Township, Madison County (east)
- Madison Township (south)
- Cicero Township (southwest)
- Liberty Township (west)
- Taylor Township, Howard County (northwest)
Governance
Political districts
- Indiana's 5th congressional district
- State House District 32
- State Senate District 20
Education
Early history
The first school in the township was built near Mud Creek in 1848. David Decker was the first teacher. After three years the school was abandoned. A second school was built in Windfall. A former settlement, called Pierce, was the site of the first frame school. Public schools became available in the community after 1855.[7]
Today
Students in Wildcat Township attend Tri-Central Community Schools.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Roads and highways
The first road in the township was surveyed in 1849. It traveled southwest through the township towards Tipton. In 1851, a second road was built in the northern part of the township, traveling east to west. By 1855 the township had an extensive roadway system for the time period.[8]
Airports and landing strips
- the former Zea Mays Airport
Cemeteries
The township contains these three cemeteries: Brookside, Salem and Wheeler.
References
Footnotes
- 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place -- 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
- ↑ Pershing, p. 132
- ↑ Pershing, p. 135
- ↑ Pershing, p. 208
- 1 2 Pershing, p. 131
- ↑ Pershing, p. 137
- ↑ Pershing, p. 193-194
- ↑ Pershing, p. 136
Sources
- Pershing, Marvin W. "History of Tipton County, Indiana: Her People, Industries and Institutions". Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen (1914).
External links
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Taylor Township, Howard County | Union Township, Howard County | Green Township, Grant County | |
| Liberty Township |  |
Duck Creek Township, Madison County | ||
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| Cicero Township | Madison Township |
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