Mount Meridian, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Mount Meridian is an unincorporated community located in Marion Township
, Putnam County, Indiana
. Primarily on US 40, it's approximately 34 miles (54.7 km) west from Indianapolis
. It's called Mount Meridian due to the fact it's in the highest place in the county and surrounding areas.
, Dodge Viper
, and professional race car drivers of all types & levels. It is also a primary location to test new vehicles and race car models. The track was featured on the Speed Channel
in 2007.
.
, a pastor from Indianapolis
, stopped in through the town. He considered it "a small proverty-stricken little hamlet... shackly houses, pale faces and ragged children." When he awoke the next morning to seek water for washing, he found a well standing in a beautiful garden of flowers. He walked through a wicket gate to come upon a huge assortment of local vegetables from the primeval forests. The town once included the Mt. Meridian Saw Mill, a general store, a baptist & methodost church, grist mill, tavern, wagon and shoe shop, and the Vermillion Brothers Trading Post. All that remains today are some self-storage sheds, an apartment building, the Tincher's auto shop, and Lawsons Tree Farm.
and Abraham Lincoln
spent the night there. The house was owned and ran by such people as John David Scott, Thomas and Martha (Bourne) Vermillion, Asbury and Cora (Bourne) McCammack, and was last ran by their son, Virgil McCammack. Business slowed by 1940, as the automobile lessened the need of an inn for its location.
Marion Township, Putnam County, Indiana
Marion Township is one of thirteen townships in Putnam County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,980.-External links:* *...
, Putnam County, Indiana
Putnam County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 36,019 people, 12,374 households, and 9,119 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile . There were 13,505 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
. Primarily on US 40, it's approximately 34 miles (54.7 km) west from Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. It's called Mount Meridian due to the fact it's in the highest place in the county and surrounding areas.
Putnam Park Road Course
About 1/2 mile SW of the community is the Putnam Park Road Course. Mainly used as a test track, it holds races, practices and special events for all types of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, PorschePorsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
, Dodge Viper
Dodge Viper
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
, and professional race car drivers of all types & levels. It is also a primary location to test new vehicles and race car models. The track was featured on the Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
in 2007.
Geography
Mount Meridian is located at 39°36'6.55" North, 86°45'26.06" West (39.601820, -86.757240), south east of Greencastle, IndianaGreencastle, Indiana
Greencastle is a city in Greencastle Township, Putnam County, Indiana, United States, and the county seat of Putnam County. It was founded in 1821 by Scots-Irish American Ephraim Dukes on a land grant. He named the settlement for his hometown of Greencastle, Pennsylvania...
.
History
Mount Meridian was originally named "Carthage" in 1833 by William Heaven and Bryce W. Miller. Whenever the town became a post office for much of Marion and Jefferson townships a few years later, the name had to be changed, due to the fact a town of the same name in Indiana already had a post office. The town then received the nickname, "Old Cat". In 1843, Henry Ward BeecherHenry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher was a prominent Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, abolitionist, and speaker in the mid to late 19th century...
, a pastor from Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, stopped in through the town. He considered it "a small proverty-stricken little hamlet... shackly houses, pale faces and ragged children." When he awoke the next morning to seek water for washing, he found a well standing in a beautiful garden of flowers. He walked through a wicket gate to come upon a huge assortment of local vegetables from the primeval forests. The town once included the Mt. Meridian Saw Mill, a general store, a baptist & methodost church, grist mill, tavern, wagon and shoe shop, and the Vermillion Brothers Trading Post. All that remains today are some self-storage sheds, an apartment building, the Tincher's auto shop, and Lawsons Tree Farm.
The Half Way House
The Half Way House was originally built in 1830 on the north side of the Old National Road (US 40) near the town square. For the town being roughly right between Terre Haute and Indianapolis, its name derived from the idea. Such people as Daniel WebsterDaniel Webster
Daniel Webster was a leading American statesman and senator from Massachusetts during the period leading up to the Civil War. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests...
and Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
spent the night there. The house was owned and ran by such people as John David Scott, Thomas and Martha (Bourne) Vermillion, Asbury and Cora (Bourne) McCammack, and was last ran by their son, Virgil McCammack. Business slowed by 1940, as the automobile lessened the need of an inn for its location.