Leopold, Indiana

Leopold is a small unincorporated community in Leopold Township, Perry County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.[3]

Leopold, Indiana
Unincorporated community
Leopold is located in Indiana
Leopold
Leopold
Leopold is located in the United States
Leopold
Leopold
Coordinates: 38°06′14″N 86°34′59″W
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyPerry
TownshipLeopold
Area
 • Total32.4 sq mi (83.8 km2)
 • Land32.1 sq mi (83.1 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2)
Elevation
[1]
725 ft (221 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total720
 • Density22.4/sq mi (8.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
47551
Area code812
FIPS code18-42894[2]
GNIS feature ID451139

With a population of less than 100, Leopold is the site of a Roman Catholic church, St. Augustine; a general store, Guillaume's Store; a restaurant, Marcy's; and a quiet atmosphere reminiscent of another time. On the last Sunday in July, Leopold holds its annual St. Augustine's picnic, which serves both as a fundraiser for the local parish and as a homecoming for former residents.

History

Leopold was founded in 1842 by the Reverend Augustine Bessonies and named for the then-reigning king of Belgium, Leopold I.[4]

A post office was in operation at Leopold from 1846 until August 12, 2017.[5][6]

Most of the original settlers of Leopold were Belgian emigres. These "lorrain" settlers were Catholics from the French-speaking southern region of Belgium which had formerly been part of Luxembourg. They were motivated to move to America from cities along the Meuse River bordering France, such as Florenville and Chiny, after Belgium was placed under Protestant rule in the 1830s. The land and climate of Perry County was similar to their homeland and made for an easier transition. Because this was an open frontier, immigrants were required to sign an oath renouncing any allegiance to King Leopold.

Geography

Leopold is located fifteen miles north of the Ohio River, at 38°06′14″N 86°34′59″W.

References
  1. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "Leopold, Indiana". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 185.
  5. "Perry County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  6. "Post Offices By Discontinued Date". United States Postal Service. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
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