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| Brownstown, Indiana From Skyline Drive |
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| A Day in Indiana History - April |
Brownstown
County_- Jackson
Township - Brownstown
Area - 1.4 sq miles
Elevation - 623 ft
Population (2010) - 2,947
ZIP code - 47220
Area code – 812
Brownstown is located on US 50 in south central Indiana.
Surveyors platted Brownstown on April 8, 1816. It became the county seat of Jackson County in November 1816. The town takes its name from General Jacob Brown, a hero of the War of 1812.
US 50 bisects Brownstown, Indiana, connecting it with Seymour to the east and Bedford to the west. The CSX rail line touches the northern edge of the town. Indiana State Road enters from the southeast and Indiana State Road 135 connects it with Vallonia to the southwest.
Jacob Brown (May 9, 1775 – February 24, 1828)
The son of Samuel and Abi (White) Brown, Jacob was a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1790. He taught school until 1798, when he migrated to upstate New York to farm. While living there he helped promote further settlement in the area, established mills, laid out roads and improved navigation in the area. He received a commission as a captain in the 108th regiment of the New York Militia in 1807. When the War of 1812 broke out, he held the rank of brigadier general in the New York militia. He opposed the war, but took on the role of organizing defenses in the Great Lakes area. The United States Secretary of War, frustrated with early failures of the military, appointed him brigadier general of the United States Army after his success at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor. He went on to lead the successful actions at Fort Erie, Battle of Chippawa, Battle of Lundy's Lane and the Siege of Fort Erie in 1814. A national hero after his successes, Congress awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal. When the war ended, Congress reduced the size of the Army, leaving Brown the only major general. President James Monroe appointed him
commander of the Army. After his death in 1828, he was interred in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
To learn more about Brownstown's dining, shopping and lodging possibilities, contact:
Brownstown Chamber of Commerce
119 W. Walnut Street
Brownstown, IN 47220
Phone: 812-358-2930
chamber@brownstownchamber.org
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