 |
| A Year of Indiana History - 2016 |
The town of Jeffersonville grew out of a military fort established along the Ohio River that was abandoned around 1800. When the name became Jeffersonville no one is certain, though many believe Indiana Territorial Governor William Henry Harrison chose the name for the town.
Jeffersonville
Jeffersonville, Indiana has its roots in a fort that was constructed in 1786 across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. The fort was called Fort Finney and was located at the site of the Kennedy Bridge. The fort was built to protect the growing white population from depredations by the Indians, which still populated the area. The fort was renamed Fort Steuban in 1787 and maintained as a militia post until near the turn of the century.
Thomas Jefferson
A settlement had grown up around the fort. The name Jeffersonville came into use around 1801 or 1802. The town was platted on June 23, 1802 using a city design grid devised by Thomas Jefferson, and the town took its name from the President.
Civil War
During the American Civil War, Jeffersonville became an important strategic city. Since it is situated directly across from Louisville, Kentucky, it became a staging area for many Union troops going south to fight. The town was serviced by three railroads, and of course, it was directly on the Ohio River.
Boat Building Center
Jeffersonville, Indiana became an important boat-building center, stemming from beginnings in 1819 when the first boat building business located there. Steamboats became a very important product of the shipyards there, especially the Howard Shipyards, established in 1834. The company produced the LST landing vehicles during World War 2 and shipbuilding remains an important industry. The Howard Steamboat Museum is dedicated to the ship building industry in Jeffersonville.
National Register of Historic Places
A portion of Jeffersonville's downtown has been registered with the National Register of Historic Places, and the city is working towards restoring and maintaining its historic character. The downtown is populated with popular businesses along the Ohio River Waterfront. Bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, bars, retail stores and public places reside along the River. A visit to Jeffersonville, Indiana would create memories of the place forever.
Tourism Site for Clark and Floyd Counties
Sunny Side of Louisville
Administrative Offices:
315 Southern Indiana Ave.
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Visitor Center:
305 Southern Indiana Ave.
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
800-552-3842
812-280-5566
Fax: 812-282-1904
tourism@sunnysideoflouisville.org
This article excerpted from the author’s book:
Exploring Indiana's Historic Sites, Markers & Museums - South East Edition
A Year of Indiana History - 2016
Indiana Places
Abes Beer Garden
Stories of American History
Mossy Feet Books
YouTube
Paul Wonning's Books on Amazon Page
Paul Wonning's Books on Smashwords Page
Paul Wonning's Books on Apple
Paul Wonning's Books on Kobo
Paul Wonning's Books on Barnes and Noble
Paul Wonning's Books on Createspace
Paul Wonning's Books on Google Play
© Paul Wonning
Comments
Post a Comment