Warsaw is a city in Indiana and the county seat of, Kosciusko County, Indiana, United States[3]. The population was estimated at 13,082 in 2006. The Warsaw area is among the fastest growing areas in Indiana. The estimated population in the 2010 census is 39,000.
Cradled among Winona Lake, Pike Lake, Hidden Lake and Center Lake, Warsaw is nicknamed "Lake City," though other cities in the surrounding area are also referred to by that nickname.
History
Warsaw, named for the capital of Poland in tribute to Thaddeus Kosciusko, was platted on October 21, 1836. Early Warsaw contained traders, trappers, and merchants supplying manufactured goods to area farmers. Because of the central location in the lake region, tourists soon began visiting Warsaw and eventually made permanent residences in the city. Industry soon followed.
In March of 1854, Warsaw became a town, and the initial census on February 2, 1854 showed a total of 752 residents in the town limits. The Pennsylvania Railroad (then known as the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad) reached Warsaw in November 1854. The Big 4 Railroad (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St Louis) arrived in Warsaw in August of 1870.
Gas lights were installed in August of 1880. Telephone lines were strung in 1882, with Dr. Eggleston having the first phone. The waterworks were constructed in 1885. Gas was supplemented with electricity in 1897, but gas was still used in many homes until 1915.
In 1895, Revra DuPuy founded DePuy Manufacturing in Warsaw to make wire mesh and wooden splints, becoming the world's first manufacturer of orthopedic appliances. In 1905, DePuy hired Justin Zimmer as a splint salesman. Zimmer broke away from DePuy in 1927 to start his own orthopedic company. Warsaw is now known as the "orthopedic capital of the world." [4] [5]
Law and government
- See also: List of mayors of Warsaw, Indiana
Old Kosciusko County Courthouse.
Warsaw has an elected mayor, clerk and city council-style of government. Officials are elected for 4-year terms. Warsaw's mayor is Republican Ernest B. Wiggins, who has served in the post since March 1, 1997, following the resignation of Mayor Jeff Plank. He was elected mayor for a first term in 1999 and for a second term in 2003 and a third term in 2007. Mayor Wiggins still has a ways to go to break the record of former 5-term Warsaw Mayor Paul E. "Mike" Hodges
Representatives - common council
The Warsaw Common Council is a seven-member legislative group that serve four-year terms. Five of the members represent specific districts; two are elected city-wide as at-large council members. The council elected on November 8, 2007 will serve from January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2011:
- Dr. Joseph Thallemer: At-large
- Kyle Babcock: At-large
- Jeff Grose: 1st district
- Charles D. Smith: 2nd district
- George M. Clemens: 3rd district
- Jerry Patterson: 4th district
- William Rhodes: 5th district
- Elaine Call: Clerk Treasurer
Geography
Warsaw is located at 41°14′26″N, 85°50′49″W (41.240564, -85.847002)[6] and occupies the area between Pike Lake, Hidden Lake and Center Lake (to the north) and Winona Lake (to the southeast). The Tippecanoe River passes through the West portion of Warsaw. U.S. Route 30 and Indiana State Road 15 both pass through town, while Indiana State Road 25 begins on West Market Street while traffic is routed to West Winona Avenue along with State Road 15 after US Route 30 bypassed the downtown area.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.6 square miles (29.9 km²), of which, 10.5 square miles (27.1 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (9.26%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,415 people, 4,794 households, and 3,068 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,184.6 people per square mile (457.4/km²). There were 5,101 housing units at an average density of 486.7/sq mi (187.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.50% White, 1.41% African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.25% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.21% of the population.
New county courthouse building.
There were 4,794 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,564, and the median income for a family was $45,153. Males had a median income of $33,322 versus $22,284 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,262. About 6.8% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
Although the population is still represented at 12,000, it may be up to anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 inside the city limits. The population, combined with the population outside of city limits and the population of Winona Lake, could be up to 40,000. An accurate count will be conducted during the 2010 census.
Industry
Da-Lite headquarters building.
Warsaw, known as the Orthopedic Capital of the World, is home to the first orthopedic device manufacturer started in 1895 by Revra DePuy of the DePuy Manufacturing Company. Subsequent competitors, such as Zimmer, Inc. (which is the largest orthopedic company in the world)citation needed, Biomet have all been founded in Warsaw to support the industry. Several orthopedic suppliers are also present in the city.
Other companies headquartered in Warsaw are Da-Lite, makers of commercial and home theater projection screens, Little Crow Foods, manufacturer of the popular CoCo Wheats, R.R. Donnelly & Sons, a large magazine printing press, and Dalton Foundry, Malleable iron casting foundry. Historically the home of the Biltwell Basket Company.citation needed
Entertainment
Warsaw is home to the Wagon Wheel Theatre, which hosts local and national plays. Several taverns host live music by local musicians, including the downtown, landmark Rex's Rendezvous. North Pointe Cinemas, bowling alleys, youth and senior centers are present. City Parks, the Greenway Bicycle Trails, City County Athletic Complex (CCAC) and two golf courses offer summer entertainment. Center Lake Park is host to regular concerts during the summer months. Other entertainment is available at the many lakes in Kosciusko county and surrounding areas.
Media
WLAB, Star 88.3, broadcasts to the community of Warsaw, Indiana, via its translator on FM radio frequency 90.9 FM.
WRSW, "the heritage station" of the Warsaw community, broadcasts at 107.3 FM on the radio dial."Willie 103.5" WAWC began broadcasting in Warsaw in November 2006. WNHT (WILD) 96.3, HOT 107.9, WDNV 92.9 (U93), WXLR (POWER) 95.7, WXXB 102.9, and WVXI 106.3 are also notable radio stations. The City of Warsaw is also proposing a new CBS TV station that will start broadcasting in 2009 when the digital signal stage is in progress. The TV station would broadcast on local TV channel 27.1.
Education
- Alternative Learning Center, Public school · Grades 9-12 · 680 students
- Lincoln Elementary School, Public school · Grades K-6 · 896 students
- Madison Elementary School, Public school · Grades K-6 · 472 students
- Warsaw Community High School, Public school · Grades 9-12 · 1947 students [7]
- Edgewood Middle School, Public school · Grades 7-8 · 484 students
- Washington Elementary School, Public school · Grades K-6 · 538 students
- Lakeview Middle School, Public school · Grades 7-8 · 760 students
- Lighthouse Christian Academy, Private school · Grades PK-12 454 students
- Eisenhower Elementary School, Public school · Grades K-6 · 629 students
- Harrison Elementary School, Public school · Grades K-6 · 611 students
- Sacred Heart School, Private school · Grades PK-6 · 206 students
- Warsaw Christian School, Private school · Grades PK-6 · 240 students
- Monarch Christian Academy, Private School · Grades K4-12 · 23 students
- Living Stone's Preparatory School, Private school · Grades PK-12
- Indiana Tech - Warsaw Campus
- Indiana University-Purdue University (IPFW) - Warsaw Campus
- Ivy Tech Community College North Central - Warsaw Campus
- Grace College - Warsaw Campus
- Leesburg Elementary and Jefferson Elementary are also included in the Warsaw Community Schools even though one is in Leesburg and the other in Winona Lake
Famous natives and residents
Center Lake Park, on the shore of Center Lake.
While Warsaw is a small city, several famous people are currently living or have lived there:
- Ambrose Bierce, author of The Devil's Dictionary.
- Theodore Dreiser, author of Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy; in 1935, his books were burned by the local library.
- Max Truex, Olympic long-distance runner.
- Jeff Grose, 1985 Indiana Mr. Basketball. Grose currently serves as a Social Studies teacher and coach at Warsaw Community High School, and is on the city council.
- Rick Fox, former NBA basketball player who was discovered by Grace College coach Jim Kessler on a missions trip to the Bahamas and played basketball at Warsaw Community High School for Coach Al Rhodes during the 1984-1985 and 1985-1986 seasons.
- Adam Sanford, cricket player
- Hal Kratzsch, an original member of famed singing group The Four Freshmen.
- Bubba the Love Sponge, Born: Todd Clem: radio 'shock jock' in Tampa Florida and Sirius Satellite Radio
- Merlin Hull, United States Representative from Wisconsin.
- Dr. Steven Hollar, Hoosiers fame. Hollar is now a dentist in Warsaw.
- Denny Hepler, winner of the "Big Break 6" on The Golf Channel and winner of many professional golf events. Hepler owns Raccoon Run Golf Course in Warsaw.
- Bryan Hickerson, former major league pitcher with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.
- Al Rhodes, long time Warsaw Community High School varsity boys basketball coach, and coach of the 1984 I.H.S.A.A. Boys Basketball champions. Rhodes currently coaches at Northrop High School in Fort Wayne.
- The A&E film American Teen was filmed at Warsaw Community High School.
References
Joshua Sattler of the band DOUBLEDRIVE
External links
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