Elkhart, Indiana | |
|---|---|
 Main Street in downtown Elkhart | |
 Flag  Logo | |
| Nicknames: The City with a Heart, Hart City, The RV Capital of the World | |
 Location of Elkhart in Elkhart County, Indiana. | |
  Elkhart  Elkhart | |
| Coordinates:41°40′59″N85°58′08″W / 41.68306°N 85.96889°W /41.68306; -85.96889 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| County | Elkhart |
| Townships | Concord,Osolo,Cleveland,Baugo,Jefferson,Washington |
| Plotted | April 30, 1832 |
| Incorporated (town) | 1858 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1875 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor - council |
| • Mayor | Rod Roberson (D)[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 28.47 sq mi (73.74 km2) |
| • Land | 27.51 sq mi (71.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0.97 sq mi (2.50 km2) |
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 53,923 |
| • Density | 1,960.3/sq mi (756.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 46514, 46515, 46516, 46517 |
| Area code | 574 |
| FIPS code | 18-20728[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394653[4] |
| Website | elkhartindiana |
Elkhart (/ˈɛlkɑːrt/EL-kart) is a city inElkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 53,923 at the 2020 census. The city is located 15 miles (24 km) east ofSouth Bend, Indiana. It is the most populous city in the Elkhart–Goshen metropolitan area, which in turn is part of the South Bend–Elkhart–Mishawakacombined statistical area, in a region commonly known asMichiana.
When theNorthwest Territory was organized in 1787, the area now known as Elkhart was mainly inhabited by the Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi Indian tribes. In 1829, the Village of Pulaski was established, consisting of a post office, mill, and a few houses on the north side of theSt. Joseph River. Dr. Havilah Beardsley moved westward fromOhio, and on August 9, 1821, purchased one square mile of land from Pierre Moran (a half-French, half-Native American Potawatomi Chief) in order to establish a rival town named Elkhart. The town of Elkhart was first plotted with 48 lots on April 30, 1832.[5] In 1839, the Pulaski Post Office was officially changed to Elkhart.[6] Elkhart was incorporated as a town in 1858 and in 1875 as a city.[7]
Elkhart County was founded exclusively by immigrants fromNew England. These were old-stock "Yankee" immigrants, that is to say, they were descended from theEnglishPuritans who settled New England in the 1600s. The completion of theErie Canal caused a surge inNew England immigration to what was then theNorthwest Territory. The end of theBlack Hawk War led to an additional surge of immigration, once again coming almost exclusively from the sixNew England states as a result of overpopulation combined with land shortages in that region. Some of these later settlers were fromupstate New York and had parents who had moved to that region fromNew England shortly after theRevolutionary War. New Englanders and New England transplants from upstate New York were the vast majority of Elkhart County's inhabitants during the first several decades of its history. These settlers were primarily members of various Protestant religions.
Correspondingly, many inhabitants of Elkhart County fought in theUnion Army during theCivil War. In the late 1880s and early 1890sIrish andGerman migrants began moving into Elkhart County, most of these later immigrants did not move directly fromIreland andGermany, but rather from other areas in theMidwest where they had already been living, particularly the state ofOhio.[8][9][10]
By the late 19th and early 20th century, musical instrument factories, Miles Medical Company, and numerous mills set up shop and became the base of the economy. In 1934, the first recreational vehicle factory opened in Elkhart. Similar companies followed suit for the remainder of the decade, and the economy continued to grow until the rationing of materials inWorld War II. After the war, growth picked back up, and, by 1949, Elkhart was dubbed the "RV Capital of the World."[11]
In 1851, theMichigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad Company built the first rail line through the city, and by 1852 the first passenger train passed through town. This, in turn, caused major population growth.[12] Today,Norfolk Southern has the biggest railroad presence in town, although Elkhart has two other railroads: Shortline-Elkhart and Western (operated by Pioneer Railcorp) and Regional-Grand Elk (operated by Watco). Amtrak has two trains that stop in Elkhart,Lake Shore Limited andCapitol Limited, both of which stop at theElkhart station. Canadian Pacific runs 6-8 trains through town on Norfolk Southern's trackage.
In 1867,Elkhart Hydraulic Company built the first hydraulic dam across theSt. Joseph River which would power the city's machinery. Unfortunately, the hydraulics were prone to flooding as was common in those days, the wooden structures were eventually destroyed by fire.[13] The hydraulics were purchased by the Indiana & Michigan Electric Company and they soon reconstructed the dam and by 1913, it powered the city.[14][15][16] Today, the dam still produces electric power and is operated by Indiana Michigan Power, a subsidiary ofAmerican Electric Power.
In 1889, the world's second electric streetcar system began operating on the city's streets.[12] It has since been decommissioned.
TheBeardsley Avenue Historic District,Albert R. Beardsley House,Dr. Havilah Beardsley House,Emmanuel C. Bickel House,Bridge Street Bridge,Charles Gerard Conn Mansion,Elkhart Downtown Commercial Historic District,Green Block,William and Helen Koerting House,Lerner Theatre,Mark L. and Harriet E. Monteith House,Morehous Residential Historic District,State Street-Division Street Historic District, andYoung Women's Christian Association are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[17]
The name Elkhart is a deliberate misspelling or corruption of "Elks-heart", which refers to the now extinctEastern elk.[18] The name has been attached to theElkhart River and surrounding area since at least 1749, when it was recorded in French asCoeur de cerf ("elk's heart") as the name of aMiami village there.[19] The place name inMiami-Illinois ismihšiiwiateehi ("elk's heart"). Later in the 18th century the area was inhabited by thePotawatomi; in thePotawatomi language, the place is likewise known asmzewəodeʔig, "at the elk heart".[20]
The name may reflect a prehistoric association of the Elkhart area with theKaskaskia people, whom the Miami called "elk hearts".[19] The Kaskaskia are not associated with the area in any historical records, however, having been pushed further south and west by the wars of the 17th century.
Other explanations have been suggested. According to an account by two Miami leaders (Jean Baptiste Richardville andLe Gros) recorded in 1824, the name arose from two women fighting over an elk's heart that had been hung up to dry.[21] Alternatively, some historians includingJacob Piatt Dunn have associated the name with the shape of an island in the Elkhart River that is stated to resemble an elk's heart.[14][19]
According to the 2010 census, Elkhart has a total area of 24.417 square miles (63.24 km2), of which 23.45 square miles (60.74 km2) (or 96.04%) is land and 0.967 square miles (2.50 km2) (or 3.96%) is water.[22]
The city sits on theSt. Joseph andElkhart Rivers. The Elkhart River drains into the St. Joseph at Island Park just north of downtown. There are also numerous small lakes around the city.
Elkhart has ahumid continental climate (KöppenDfa), with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers.[23]
| Climate data for Elkhart, Indiana | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 29 (−2) | 31 (−1) | 43 (6) | 56 (13) | 67 (19) | 76 (24) | 81 (27) | 79 (26) | 72 (22) | 59 (15) | 45 (7) | 31 (−1) | 56 (13) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13 (−11) | 15 (−9) | 25 (−4) | 34 (1) | 44 (7) | 54 (12) | 59 (15) | 57 (14) | 50 (10) | 39 (4) | 29 (−2) | 18 (−8) | 36 (2) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.4 (61) | 1.8 (46) | 2.8 (71) | 3.4 (86) | 3.6 (91) | 3.7 (94) | 3.5 (89) | 3.6 (91) | 3.4 (86) | 3.1 (79) | 2.9 (74) | 2.6 (66) | 36.6 (930) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 18.5 (47) | 14.0 (36) | 10.0 (25) | 3.9 (9.9) | 0.7 (1.8) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1.7 (4.3) | 8.5 (22) | 16.9 (43) | 74.2 (188) |
| Source: Weatherbase[23] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 1,439 | — | |
| 1870 | 3,265 | 126.9% | |
| 1880 | 6,953 | 113.0% | |
| 1890 | 11,360 | 63.4% | |
| 1900 | 15,184 | 33.7% | |
| 1910 | 19,282 | 27.0% | |
| 1920 | 24,277 | 25.9% | |
| 1930 | 32,949 | 35.7% | |
| 1940 | 33,434 | 1.5% | |
| 1950 | 35,646 | 6.6% | |
| 1960 | 40,274 | 13.0% | |
| 1970 | 43,152 | 7.1% | |
| 1980 | 41,305 | −4.3% | |
| 1990 | 43,627 | 5.6% | |
| 2000 | 51,874 | 18.9% | |
| 2010 | 50,949 | −1.8% | |
| 2020 | 53,923 | 5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[24] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[25] | Pop 2020[26] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 29,565 | 26,354 | 58.03% | 48.87% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 7,705 | 7,384 | 15.12% | 13.69% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 154 | 118 | 0.30% | 0.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 430 | 571 | 0.84% | 1.06% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 20 | 21 | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 95 | 248 | 0.19% | 0.46% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 1,529 | 2,689 | 3.00% | 4.99% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11,451 | 16,538 | 22.48% | 30.67% |
| Total | 50,949 | 53,923 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[27] of 2010, there were 50,949 people, 19,261 households, and 11,942 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 2,172.7 inhabitants per square mile (838.9/km2). There were 22,699 housing units at an average density of 968.0 per square mile (373.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 66.1%White, 15.4%African American, 0.6%Native American, 0.9%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 12.9% fromother races, and 4.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 22.5% of the population.
There were 19,261 households, of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% weremarried couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60, and the average family size was 3.25.
The median age in the city was 32.7 years. 29.1% of residents were under 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64, and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
As of the 2000census, 51,874 people, 20,072 households, and 12,506 families reside in the city. The population density was 2,428.0 inhabitants per square mile (937.5/km2). There were 21,688 housing units at an average density of 1,015.1 per square mile (391.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 71.5%White (predominantlyGerman American), 14.7%African American, 0.4%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 9.2% fromother races, and 2.9% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 14.8% of the population.
Of the 20,072 households, 62.3% were occupied by families, 33.4% had children under 18 living with them, 40.9% weremarried couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55, and the average family size was 3.16.
Of the city's population, 28.4% was under 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,863, and the median income for a family was $40,514. Males had a median income of $30,674 versus $22,760 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $17,890. About 11.1% of families and 13.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.[28]
Elkhart boasts a growing shopping scene on its Northeast side along CR 6, as well as a vibrant small business sector on Main Street. The Concord Mall closed in 2023. A second shopping mall, Pierre Moran Mall, was partially demolished in 2006 for a new development called Woodland Crossing.[29]
Elkhart is best known for two industries:recreational vehicles andmusical instruments (for example,Stephanhöuser Saxophones). For decades, it has been referenced as the "RV Capital of the World" and the "Band Instrument Capital of the World".[30] Other notable industries in Elkhart include; pharmaceuticals, electronic components,manufactured housing andmobile homes. Numerous manufacturers of musical instruments and accessories, of which most of the surviving companies have been absorbed into theConn-Selmer conglomerate, have a long history in the city. Elkhart is also home to the Robert Young Rail Yards, which are the second-largest freightclassification yards in the world.[31]
In 1884, Franklin Miles launched theMiles Medical Co. in Elkhart, which in later decades produced products such asAlka-Seltzer andFlintstones Vitamins. The Miles Medical Co. was purchased by theGerman companyBayer in 1978, and was consolidated into the larger Pittsburgh-based Bayer, Inc. in 1994.[32] In 1999, Bayer Consumer Care moved out of Elkhart. By 2006, Bayer had pulled all manufacturing out of Elkhart.[33][34] Most of the facilities were torn down while just a few buildings remained, mostly unused.
Manufacturers in Elkhart includeForest River Inc, Hy-Line,Keystone, andThor Motor Coach.[citation needed]
NIBCO INC. (Northern Indiana Brass Company), has called Elkhart home for over 100 years and is now a fifth-generation family business. NIBCO Inc. manufactures and markets flow control products.
Elkhart Brass Manufacturing manufactures fire-fighting equipment.[35]
The unemployment rate reached 18.8% in April 2009[36] and due to Elkhart's economic troubles, the city and some of its unemployed residents were featured on the February 8, 2009, edition ofABC News.[37] The unemployment rate rebounded over the next decade and has remained below the national average since 2013.[38][39]
In 1884, the Bucklen Opera House opened its doors for the first time, with aseating capacity of 1200. It was common for one performance to take place every week. Elkhart's location on the railroad made it a good stopping point for shows traveling from New York to Chicago. In 1896, the first movie was shown in the theater, which was also used as Elkhart High School's auditorium until 1924.[6] The Bucklen was demolished in 1986.
TheLerner Theatre, formerly the ELCO Performing Arts Center, is a small theater located downtown. After being built in 1924 and undergoing two name changes, it became the ELCO in 1934. Ownership switched hands several times, but the end of the Lerner appeared to be in sight when owner William Miller died in 1987. In 1990, the city bought the theater to prevent further deterioration due to vacancy. Also, that year, some locals formed a commission to oversee the restoration. Funding issues led the city to get involved further in the form of getting a federal grant. The grant helped with major upgrades and the hiring of full-time staff.[40]
The ELCO was renamed The Lerner when it reopened after an $18 million renovation and expansion in June 2011. It is now used for a wide range of concerts, special events, and local productions.
There are many different museums located in the city.
TheElkhart Jazz Festival is a three-day event that takes place in late June on the banks of theElkhart River. It is known as one of the premier Jazz festivals in the nation. In 2007, the festival celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Each June, the Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department presents Rhapsody Arts & Music Festival (formally called Rhapsody in Green). It is a weekend event put on at the city's Island Park. It is a typical summer festival with live music and food.
Also, the Elkhart Air Show was an annual event that took place at the Elkhart Municipal Airport at the end of July. It featured a wide variety of airplanes old and new. The event was canceled in 2007 due to financial issues. It is unclear whether the show is on hiatus or gone for good.[43]
The city is served by theElkhart Public Library, which operates four branches.[44]
TheElkhart Miracle is a proposed independent minor league baseball team that was scheduled to begin to play in theNorthern League in 2015. The stadium was to be located on the city's southwest side onState Road 19.[45] As of December 2017, the stadium had not yet been built, and the team was not formed, due to construction delays.[46] As of May 2023, the team played at NorthWood Field of Dreams inNappanee, Indiana.[47]
TheElkhart Express was a semi-professional men's basketball team in theInternational Basketball League. Their home games were played atNorth Side Gymnasium, located inside Elkhart's North Side Middle School. The franchise began operation in 2006 and won the International Title in 2006 and 2007. The Elkhart Express officially released news that they were folding under bankruptcy on January 5, 2009. In January 2010, head coach and founder Daimon Beathea announced that the Express would return for the 2010 season, but those plans never came to fruition.
The city has 35 different facilities including parks, pavilions, a waterpark, a public pool, a softball complex, two skateparks, greenways, and the downtown riverwalk, which now features an ice-skating/roller-blading path (depending on the time of year).[48]
The NIBCO Water and Ice Park in downtown Elkhart was dedicated in 2007. It is a year-round park with an ice skating path in the winter and a splash pad in the summer.[49] A spray park was built at McNaughton Park in 2007.[50]
Rainbow Park is notable because it is both a park and a residential front yard. It is a popular recreation destination for the house owners and their houseguests.[51]
Wellfield Botanic Gardens on North Main Street is a 36-acre "living museum" offering over 20 individually themed gardens and public events throughout the year.
The mayor of Elkhart is Rod Roberson, a Democrat, and the first African American to be elected mayor.[52][53] The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of nine members—six are elected from individual districts, while three are elected at large.
Three school districts serve sections of Elkhart:[54]
In addition to the public schools, four private religious schools serve the city. Elkhart Christian Academy (grades K-12), Trinity Lutheran School (K-8), St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (grades K-8), and St. Thomas the Apostle School (grades K-8) are located in Elkhart. Additionally, Two private secular schools exist: The Montessori School of Elkhart on Montessori Drive runs from pre-K through Grade 6. Cornerstone Christian Montessori School (K-6)
The Elkhart Truth is the main newspaper that serves the city of Elkhart and the county.
Elkhart lies in the South Bend-Elkhart television market, the 89th largest in the United States as of 2008.[55] One television station,WSJV-TV (Heroes & Icons Network) is located in the city, along with a number of radio stations includingWTRC,WAOR,WCMR,WFRN-FM, andWVPE (NPR). Elkhart is also served byCBS affiliateWSBT-TV, based inMishawaka, and six stations in South Bend:WNDU-TV (NBC),WNIT-TV (PBS),WHME-TV (LeSEA),WBND-LD (ABC),WCWW-LD (CW) andWMYS-LD (My Network TV).
Elkhart is located on theIndiana Toll Road (Interstates80/90) at exits 92 and 96 and on the eastern portion of theSt. Joseph Valley Parkway (U.S. Route 20) which bypasses the southern side of the city.State Road 19 runs through the city whileU.S. Route 33 andState Road 120 terminate in the city. U.S. 33 used to run through the city, and that route was part of the originalLincoln Highway.
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, serves theElkhart Train Station. Two routes, theCapitol Limited andLake Shore Limited, stop at the station, along the formerNew York Central Railroad line. TheCapitol Limited connectsChicago toWashington, DC and theLake Shore Limited connects Chicago toNew York City andBoston. Both lines connect to their eastern destinations viaCleveland with one train offered for each direction on each route daily.[56]
Elkhart Municipal Airport (EKM) is located on the city's northwest side. No commercial flights are offered, but two charter flight services operate out of the airport.South Bend International Airport (SBN) is the closest airport with commercial airline service.
The Mishawaka Pilots Club Airport (3C1) is just outside the southwest edge of the city of Elkhart. Mishawaka Pilots Club Airport is a privately owned, public-use facility.
Elkhart is a central hub for theInterurban Trolley regional public bus service, which stops at various destinations throughout the city and connects it to neighboringGoshen,Osceola,Dunlap andMishawaka. It was originally known as the BUS system. The system's name is derived from its use of vintage-trolley-style buses that run between several different cities and towns, evoking the interurban train networks that were common in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. The Interurban Trolley operates each day, except Sundays or major holidays.
Bittersweet/Mishawaka Route links up withTRANSPO's Route 9 inMishawaka, which in turn connects riders to downtownSouth Bend and the South Shore Station, TRANSPO's transit hub. North Pointe Route stops at Elkhart'sGreyhound station. Elkhart-Goshen and Concord route both stop near theElkhart Train Station.
Elkhart has foursister cities as designated bySister Cities International.[59]
Burton upon Trent, England, United Kingdom
Kardzhali, Bulgaria
Tongxiang, China
Apan, México
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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