VINCENNES, INDIANA

The city of 'Vincennes' is the county seat of Knox County, Indiana. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. As of the 2000 census, the population was 18,701.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Notable residents

Attractions

Trivia

External links

History

The oldest town in Indiana, Vincennes was originally established in 1732 as a French fur trading post. It was built by François-Marie Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes, and renamed Poste Vincennes in his honor after he was captured and burned at the stake during a war with the Chickasaw nation.
On February 10, 1763, New France was ceded to the British Empire after the Seven Years War (or French and Indian War), Vincennes fell under the dominion of Great Britain. British Lt. John Ramsey came to Vincennes in 1766. He took a census of the settlement, built up the fort, and renamed it Fort Sackville. The population grew quickly in the years that followed, creating a unique culture of interdependent Native Americans with French and British colonials and traders.
In 1770 and 1772, British General Gage received warnings that the residents of Vincennes were not remaining loyal, and were inciting native tribes along the river trade routes against the British.
In 1778, residents at Post Vincennes received word of the French alliance with the American Second Continental Congress from Father Pierre Gibault and Dr. Jean Laffont. They revolted in support of the Americans.
Lt-Governor Henry Hamilton called it "a refuge for debtors and Vagabonds from Canada," and led an expedition from Detroit to reclaim the post. He then built up the fort and prepared for an Spring invasion of Illinois territory. Instead, George Rogers Clark recaptured Fort Sackville on February 23, 1779 thanks to an Italian soldier, Captain Francesco Vigo who offered his financial assistance and services even working as a secret agent. The episode was featured in the 1901 novel ''Alice of Old Vincennes'' by Maurice Thompson. Vincennes served as capital of the Indiana Territory from 1800 until 1813, when it was moved to Corydon.
Vincennes was originally in the French colony of Louisiana, then the British colony of Canada, then the Illinois Country of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, then Knox County in the Northwest Territory, then the Indiana Territory.

Geography

Vincennes is located at (38.678329, -87.516067).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.6 km² (7.2 mi²). 18.5 km² (7.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.97%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,701 people, 7,614 households, and 4,332 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,011.3/km² (2,620.3/mi²). There were 8,574 housing units at an average density of 463.6/km² (1,201.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.34% White, 3.28% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.
There were 7,614 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,289, and the median income for a family was $35,424. Males had a median income of $27,029 versus $20,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,993. About 15.0% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

★ Red Skelton (b.1913-1997), Comedian

★ Clint Barmes (b.1979), Baseball Player, Colorado Rockies

★ William Henry Harrison, Indiana Territorial Governor and 9th U.S. President

★ Alvy Moore (b. 1921-1997), Actor

★ Sarah Knox Taylor, wife of Jefferson Davis, daughter of Zachary Taylor

★ Curtis Painter (b.1985) American Football Player, Quarterback Purdue University

★ Mike Eskew, Chairman and CEO of UPS

★ David Goodnow, Television News Broadcaster

★ Dan Stryzinski, American Football Player, Punter Indiana University

Attractions

★ George Rogers Clark National Historical Park The memorial and park built for the war hero George Rogers Clark.

★ Xavier Cathedral and Library The oldest Catholic church in the state of Indiana.

★ The Old Cathedral Library, Indiana's oldest library.

★ Grouseland, the mansion home of William Henry Harrison, 9th United States President.

★ Fort Knox II: Outline of the fort is marked for self-guided tours.

★ Fort Sackville, one of the forts of Vincennes.

★ The U.S. Navy has named several ships in honor of Vincennes.

★ The Servant of God, Bishop Simon Bruté de Remur, first Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Vincennes.

★ Vincennes is the proud representitve of the Mark Goodman Fiesta, in which citizens go to Ouabache Trails park and search in nearby Kelso creek for fossils.

Trivia

★ Vincennes University is located here.

★ Site of the First Catholic church in Indiana. (1749)

★ Was the First county organized in Indiana. (1790)

★ Home of the First newspaper in Indiana. (1799)

★ Site of the First Presbyterian church in Indiana. (1806)

★ Site of the First Masonic Lodge in Indiana.

★ Home of the First bank in Indiana. (1814)

★ Host to the First medical society in Indiana. (1817)

★ 1923 and 1981 (IHSAA) State Basketball Champions. 2002 IHSAA State Baseball Champions.

★ Sixth largest county in Indiana.

External links

★ Vicennes history site

★ Vincennes brief history (Vincennes University)

★ Vincennes Sun-Commercial newspaper

★ Vincennes Businesses

★ Official Web Site for the City of Vincennes, Indiana

★ Vincennes School Corporation

★ Vincennes University Home Page

★ Basilica of St. Francis Xavier (The Old Cathedral)

★ George Rogers Clark National Park

★ Fort Knox II