Depauw is an unincorporated community in Blue River Township and Spencer Township, Harrison County, Indiana. The population of Depauw is officially unknown but is estimated to be 120 as of 2020 and is slowly decreasing.

Depauw, Indiana
Post Office
Post Office
Harrison County's Location In Indiana
Harrison County's Location In Indiana
Depauw is located in Harrison County, Indiana
Depauw
Depauw
Depauw's Location In Harrison County
Coordinates: 38°19′58″N 86°13′18″W / 38.33278°N 86.22167°W / 38.33278; -86.22167
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyHarrison
TownshipBlue River, Spencer
Area
 • Total
1.58 sq mi (4.10 km2)
Elevation666 ft (203 m)
Population
 • Estimate 
(2020)
120
Time zoneUTC-4:00 (EDT)
ZIP code
47115
FIPS code18-17794[2]
GNIS feature ID2830404[1]

History

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Approximate City Limits For Depauw

Depauw was platted by Felician Henriott on April 8, 1884.[3] According to one source, the community may be named for Washington C. DePauw.[4] Violent tornadoes that were recorded in Depauw include one on April 3, 1903, two on April 3, 1974, one on April 5, 1985, and one on June 2, 1990. On April 3, 1974, at around 3:20 PM, an F5 tornado hit Depauw, leaving some of the mobile homes and houses completely demolished. This tornado had formed near New Boston, IN. It kept heading east passing just west of Frenchtown, IN and then the tornado hit Depauw. Many of the Depauw locals who didn't have a basement quickly rushed to people's homes that did have one. The tornado went through Depauw and then it headed northeast towards Palmyra, IN after Depauw. The tornado killed 6 people and injured 76 people in the 68 miles (110 km) it was on the ground. The Depauw tornado was 1.6 miles (2.5 km) wide and was the first of many other F5 tornadoes that were to form on that same day in the midwest. The series of tornadoes that occurred on that day was part of what was known as the 1974 Super Outbreak.[5]

Geography

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Depauw is located in northwest Harrison County.

Demographics

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The United States Census Bureau first delineated Depauw as a census designated place in the 2022 American Community Survey.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Depauw, Indiana
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ Roose, William H. (1911). Indiana's Birthplace: A History of Harrison County, Indiana. Tribune Company, Printers. p. 71.
  4. ^ Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History. Indiana University Press. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-253-32866-3. ...perhaps for industrialist Washington C. DePauw ...
  5. ^ Weather.gov Tornado outbreak
  6. ^ "2022 Geography Changes". United States Census Bureau.