Upland, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Upland is a town in Jefferson Township
, Grant County
, Indiana
, United States
. The population was 3,845 at the 2010 census. It is most notable for being the home of Taylor University
, a Christian college with 1,920 students, as of 2011.
to Fort Wayne canal might pass through or near his property. Jacob Bugher, who moved to the township in 1851, purchased land from Oswalt. Sixteen years later, when the first railroad (the Indiana Central Railroad) passed through the township, Bugher planned the beginnings of Upland as a depot point for the railroad. The name of the town came from its reputed location as the highest point on the rail line between Columbus
and Chicago
. Gradually, the town grew in population and organization. By the late 1870s, it had thirty families, 150 in total population, one grade school, two churches, three dry-goods stores, one sawmill, and a blacksmith shop.
A guest-preaching engagement in 1882 in the Upland Methodist Church afforded Taylor University president Thaddeus Reade the chance to meet the minister of Upland Methodist Church, Rev. John C. White. Because the school was having financial difficulties at its location in Fort Wayne, White and Upland citizen J.W. Pittinger worked to bring the school to Upland. In the spring of 1893 White negotiated an agreement between the Taylor trustees and the Upland Land Company, whereby the university agreed to move to Upland, and the company agreed to provide Taylor with $10,000 in cash and 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of land. In the summer of 1893, Taylor University
relocated to Upland. White was able to find the resources to support Taylor University because of the recent discovery of large deposits of natural gas in the area. The gas boom of central Indiana began in 1886 and continued through the 1890s before the supply began to decline at around 1900. The first gas discoveries in Upland were in 1888, and three years later the Upland Land Company came into existence to take advantage of the newly found resources by promoting the development of the town.
When Taylor University moved to the community in 1893, the incorporated town of 1,000 inhabitants could boast of improved streets and carbon street lights, water and gas lines, a major glass bottle manufacturing plant, and a zinc factory. In 1915, Taylor paid seven thousand dollars to purchase 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) more from Charles H. and Bertha Snyder. The university added another 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) to its present location in the early 1920s when the Lewis Jones farm was purchased.
During the 1960s, the infrastructure of the town was improved. Interstate 69
was completed. The public schools were consolidated into the Eastbrook School District and Eastbrook Junior High and High School were built. The municipality constructed a new water and sewage system. In the early 1990s, a new building was built by the Avis Industrial Corporation, across from Taylor University. The Avis-Taylor Prairie Restoration Project was also begun.
Upon the celebration in 1993 of Taylor's 100th anniversary in Upland, the university worked with the community to purchase and relocate a train depot from Muncie to Upland to serve as a local museum. The depot together with a new town hall and library were major developments in the downtown renewal project of Our Town Upland, Inc.
(1¼ hours south). It is about 30 minutes from Muncie
, where Ball State University
is located. It is about 20 minutes from Marion
, where Indiana Wesleyan University
is located.
Upland is located at 40°28′2"N 85°30′0"W (40.467146, -85.500120).
of 2000, there were 3,803 people, 789 households, and 569 families residing in the town. The population density
was 967.1 people per square mile (373.6/km²). There were 824 housing units at an average density of 209.5 per square mile (81.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.40% White, 1.53% African American, 0.68% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races
, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.31% of the population.
There were 789 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 13.3% under the age of 18, 51.9% from 18 to 24, 13.9% from 25 to 44, 12.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $36,827, and the median income for a family was $44,712. Males had a median income of $32,019 versus $21,845 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $11,761. About 7.4% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
, a restaurant known for its 100+ sundaes and 100+ shakes as well as great food . Upland is also the home of the late Barton Rees Pogue, well-known author, poet, speaker, preacher and teacher.
In addition to Ivanhoe's and Taylor University, Upland includes a historic train depot and 1923 Pennsylvania Railroad caboose, four community parks, a sports complex, three gas stations, three banks, a post office, library, town hall, general store, fire station, police station, three churches, a funeral home, a barber, three beauty salons, a realtor, two car-repair shops, a car wash, a medical clinic/pharmacy,an animal shelter, World Headquarters of Avis Industrial, Pierce Company manufacturing, numerous other small businesses and two traffic lights.
Upland is served by the Upland Police Department, Grant County Sheriff's Department, Upland Volunteer Fire Department and Medic 8 Ambulance Service. Government is town board with current president, Mike Cooper, town clerk-treasurer, Jane Rockwell, and town manager, Chip Long.
Upland is located off Interstate 69 at exit 59 where a number of businesses are located, including three gas stations, a doctor's office, three hotels, Burger King
, KFC
/Taco Bell
, Cracker Barrel
, East of Chicago Pizza, Casa Grande, China One, Payne's Coffee and Custard, and Starbucks
. Upland is also known for a local pizza establishment called T.O.P.P.I.T., which stands for "The Only Pizza Place In Town", although technically it hasn't been for a while. T.O.P.P.I.T. is a local favorite for university students and Upland residents alike.
Active organizations include; Upland Area Historical Society, Upland Junior Historical Society, Upland Chamber of Commerce, Upland Lions Club, "Our Town Upland," Upland Masonic Lodge, Jefferson Alumni Association, Muddobbers Motorcycle Club, Upland Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, Upland Brownies and Girl Scouts, Upland 4-H Club, Grant United Soccer, Blackford Youth Soccer, Timeless Treasures Red Hat Club and Tri A Dice Club.
. The largest church in town is Upland Community Church which is associated with the "Fellowship of Evangelical Churches." Mark Biehl is currently the teaching pastor.
Rob Neel is pastor at Upland United Methodist Church.
Curt Blasiman is pastor at Upland Friends Church
Other Churches include the Jefferson Christian Church and the Upland Christian Church.
Lightrider and Wandering Wheels are two Christian ministries which are headquartered in Upland. Wandering Wheels specializes in coast-to-coast cycling trips and has been in existence since 1964. Lightrider is a mobile retreat ministry that uses a 40 feet (12.2 m), double-decker motor coach equipped with seats and bunk beds. Next to Lightrider, is the "Red Barn" - a youth outreach center and the Gray Barn, a facility catering to senior activities.
Jefferson Township, Grant County, Indiana
Jefferson Township is one of thirteen townships in Grant County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2010 census, its population was 5,839.-Geography:Jefferson Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.39 percent is water. Lakes in this township include Dollar Lake...
, Grant County
Grant County, Indiana
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 70,061. The county seat is Marion. Important paleontological discoveries dating from the Pliocene epoch have been made at Pipe Creek Sinkhole in Grant County.-Geography:According to the 2010...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,845 at the 2010 census. It is most notable for being the home of Taylor University
Taylor University
Taylor University is a private, interdenominational, evangelical Christian college located in Upland, Indiana. Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest evangelical Christian colleges in America....
, a Christian college with 1,920 students, as of 2011.
History
The first White resident of the Upland area was John Oswalt, who came to Jefferson Township in the early 1830s and purchased 2240 acres (9.1 km²) including almost all the land which is now a part of Upland. He bought this large amount of land because, as a speculator, he thought that an IndianapolisIndianapolis
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...
to Fort Wayne canal might pass through or near his property. Jacob Bugher, who moved to the township in 1851, purchased land from Oswalt. Sixteen years later, when the first railroad (the Indiana Central Railroad) passed through the township, Bugher planned the beginnings of Upland as a depot point for the railroad. The name of the town came from its reputed location as the highest point on the rail line between Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
and Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Gradually, the town grew in population and organization. By the late 1870s, it had thirty families, 150 in total population, one grade school, two churches, three dry-goods stores, one sawmill, and a blacksmith shop.
A guest-preaching engagement in 1882 in the Upland Methodist Church afforded Taylor University president Thaddeus Reade the chance to meet the minister of Upland Methodist Church, Rev. John C. White. Because the school was having financial difficulties at its location in Fort Wayne, White and Upland citizen J.W. Pittinger worked to bring the school to Upland. In the spring of 1893 White negotiated an agreement between the Taylor trustees and the Upland Land Company, whereby the university agreed to move to Upland, and the company agreed to provide Taylor with $10,000 in cash and 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of land. In the summer of 1893, Taylor University
Taylor University
Taylor University is a private, interdenominational, evangelical Christian college located in Upland, Indiana. Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest evangelical Christian colleges in America....
relocated to Upland. White was able to find the resources to support Taylor University because of the recent discovery of large deposits of natural gas in the area. The gas boom of central Indiana began in 1886 and continued through the 1890s before the supply began to decline at around 1900. The first gas discoveries in Upland were in 1888, and three years later the Upland Land Company came into existence to take advantage of the newly found resources by promoting the development of the town.
When Taylor University moved to the community in 1893, the incorporated town of 1,000 inhabitants could boast of improved streets and carbon street lights, water and gas lines, a major glass bottle manufacturing plant, and a zinc factory. In 1915, Taylor paid seven thousand dollars to purchase 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) more from Charles H. and Bertha Snyder. The university added another 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) to its present location in the early 1920s when the Lewis Jones farm was purchased.
During the 1960s, the infrastructure of the town was improved. Interstate 69
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
was completed. The public schools were consolidated into the Eastbrook School District and Eastbrook Junior High and High School were built. The municipality constructed a new water and sewage system. In the early 1990s, a new building was built by the Avis Industrial Corporation, across from Taylor University. The Avis-Taylor Prairie Restoration Project was also begun.
Upon the celebration in 1993 of Taylor's 100th anniversary in Upland, the university worked with the community to purchase and relocate a train depot from Muncie to Upland to serve as a local museum. The depot together with a new town hall and library were major developments in the downtown renewal project of Our Town Upland, Inc.
Source
Taylor University: The First 150 Years by William C. Ringenberg. Upland: Taylor University Press, 1996.Geography
Upland is located between Fort Wayne (one hour north by car) and IndianapolisIndianapolis
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...
(1¼ hours south). It is about 30 minutes from Muncie
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
, where Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
is located. It is about 20 minutes from Marion
Marion, Indiana
Marion is a city in Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 29,948 as of the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Grant County...
, where Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church denomination...
is located.
Upland is located at 40°28′2"N 85°30′0"W (40.467146, -85.500120).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,803 people, 789 households, and 569 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 967.1 people per square mile (373.6/km²). There were 824 housing units at an average density of 209.5 per square mile (81.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.40% White, 1.53% African American, 0.68% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.31% of the population.
There were 789 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 13.3% under the age of 18, 51.9% from 18 to 24, 13.9% from 25 to 44, 12.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $36,827, and the median income for a family was $44,712. Males had a median income of $32,019 versus $21,845 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $11,761. About 7.4% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Description
Besides Taylor University, Upland is most well-known for Ivanhoe'sIvanhoe's Restaurant
Ivanhoe's Restaurant is located in Upland, Indiana near the campus of Taylor University.Founded in 1965, the restaurant has been a hangout for generations of students and has been featured in travel magazines as well as statewide and local newspaper articles....
, a restaurant known for its 100+ sundaes and 100+ shakes as well as great food . Upland is also the home of the late Barton Rees Pogue, well-known author, poet, speaker, preacher and teacher.
In addition to Ivanhoe's and Taylor University, Upland includes a historic train depot and 1923 Pennsylvania Railroad caboose, four community parks, a sports complex, three gas stations, three banks, a post office, library, town hall, general store, fire station, police station, three churches, a funeral home, a barber, three beauty salons, a realtor, two car-repair shops, a car wash, a medical clinic/pharmacy,an animal shelter, World Headquarters of Avis Industrial, Pierce Company manufacturing, numerous other small businesses and two traffic lights.
Upland is served by the Upland Police Department, Grant County Sheriff's Department, Upland Volunteer Fire Department and Medic 8 Ambulance Service. Government is town board with current president, Mike Cooper, town clerk-treasurer, Jane Rockwell, and town manager, Chip Long.
Upland is located off Interstate 69 at exit 59 where a number of businesses are located, including three gas stations, a doctor's office, three hotels, Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
, KFC
KFC
KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
/Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
, Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is an American chain of combined restaurant and gift stores with a Southern country theme. The company was founded by Dan Evins in 1969 and its first store was located in Lebanon, Tennessee, where the company is now headquartered...
, East of Chicago Pizza, Casa Grande, China One, Payne's Coffee and Custard, and Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
. Upland is also known for a local pizza establishment called T.O.P.P.I.T., which stands for "The Only Pizza Place In Town", although technically it hasn't been for a while. T.O.P.P.I.T. is a local favorite for university students and Upland residents alike.
Active organizations include; Upland Area Historical Society, Upland Junior Historical Society, Upland Chamber of Commerce, Upland Lions Club, "Our Town Upland," Upland Masonic Lodge, Jefferson Alumni Association, Muddobbers Motorcycle Club, Upland Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, Upland Brownies and Girl Scouts, Upland 4-H Club, Grant United Soccer, Blackford Youth Soccer, Timeless Treasures Red Hat Club and Tri A Dice Club.
Culture
Town highlights include:- The Labor Day weekend festival.
- On the Saturday before Labor day, the town comes alive when hundreds of households hold yard sales throughout the town.
- On the day before Labor day there is an annual car show at the Community Park.
- The Upland Lion's club has music, vendors and track events at the Lions Club Park throughout the weekend.
- On Labor Day Monday, the annual Labor day parade is held down main street. The parade usually lasts at least an hour with over 100+ entries.
- Upland also hosts a festival called "Blooms and Berries" the second Saturday in June.
- The Annual Indiana Poetry Festival is held in April in honor of Barton Rees Pogue.
- Olde Tyme Christmas in Upland is held the first Sunday after the first Saturday in December.
- Another Town highlight is the softball/baseball diamonds located at the park.
- Through the ball season the park lights up with active kids competing against one another in America's favorite pastime.
Religion
Upland's population is predominantly ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
. The largest church in town is Upland Community Church which is associated with the "Fellowship of Evangelical Churches." Mark Biehl is currently the teaching pastor.
Rob Neel is pastor at Upland United Methodist Church.
Curt Blasiman is pastor at Upland Friends Church
Other Churches include the Jefferson Christian Church and the Upland Christian Church.
Lightrider and Wandering Wheels are two Christian ministries which are headquartered in Upland. Wandering Wheels specializes in coast-to-coast cycling trips and has been in existence since 1964. Lightrider is a mobile retreat ministry that uses a 40 feet (12.2 m), double-decker motor coach equipped with seats and bunk beds. Next to Lightrider, is the "Red Barn" - a youth outreach center and the Gray Barn, a facility catering to senior activities.
Education
Upland residents attend:- Eastbrook South Elementary School
- Eastbrook Jr. High and Eastbrook High SchoolEastbrook High SchoolEastbrook High School is a public school located outside of Marion, Indiana. The school teaches students from Upland, Washington, Matthews, and Van Buren.-Description:...
(located four miles north of Upland)