Otwell, Indiana

Otwell is an unincorporated census-designated place in Jefferson Township, Pike County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.[2]

Otwell, Indiana
Census-designated place
Location of Otwell in Pike County, Indiana.
Location of Otwell in Pike County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 38°27′24″N 87°05′45″W
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyPike
TownshipJefferson
Named forRobert Otwell Brown
Area
[1]
 • Total1.79 sq mi (4.63 km2)
 • Land1.78 sq mi (4.62 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
[2]
499 ft (152 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total396
 • Density221.85/sq mi (85.67/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
47564
Area code(s)812, 930
FIPS code18-57384[3]
GNIS feature ID2629881[2]

History

Otwell was originally called Pierceville, being named after President Franklin Pierce, and under this name was laid out in 1855.[4] The name was changed to Otwell in 1864 by a popular petition of its residents. The name had to be changed when the post office came because there was already a Pierceville in Indiana.[4] The name Otwell is derived from the middle name of Robert Otwell Brown, the son of an early settler.[5]

A post office has been in operation at Otwell since 1864.[6]

Geography

Otwell is located along Indiana State Road 257 and is approximately 1 mile from Indiana State Road 56.

Education

Otwell has a public library, a branch of the Pike County Public Library.[7]

Otwell has a charter school which was established in 2017 after the local school corporation closed its elementary school. Otwell Miller Academy currently enrolls 88 students for the 2018/19 school year. Grace College sponsors the charter.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020396—
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Otwell, Indiana
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. History of Pike and Dubois Counties, Indiana. Goodspeed Brothers. p. 356. ISBN 978-5-87521-222-2.
  5. Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History. Indiana University Press. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-253-32866-3. ...Robert Otwell Brown, son of Dr. Perry Brown, who laid out the village.
  6. "Pike County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  7. "Hours of Operation". Pike County Public Library. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.


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