Toto, Indiana

Toto is an unincorporated community in Center Township, Starke County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.[2]

Toto, Indiana
Unincorporated community
Depot in Toto, 1915
Depot in Toto, 1915
Toto is located in Indiana
Toto
Toto
Toto is located in the United States
Toto
Toto
Coordinates: 41°15′33″N 86°41′54″W
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyStarke
TownshipCenter
Elevation
[1]
709 ft (216 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
46534
Area code574
GNIS feature ID444820

History

An old variant name of the community was called Rye.[3] The origin of the name Toto is obscure, but it could possibly be of Native American origin.[4]

A post office was established at Toto in 1855, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1907.[5]

Toto has a local reputation for an abundance of curio stores, giving it the nickname of "Indiana's Bargain Capital".[6]

Toto has also been recognized for being the inspiration for the name of Dorothy's dog, "Toto", in the "Wizard of Oz" books by the author, L. Frank Baum, who resided for a time at nearby Bass Lake.[7]

References
  1. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  2. "Toto, Indiana". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  3. "USGS detail on Toto - Variant Citation". Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  4. Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History. Indiana University Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-253-32866-3. ...such as Ockley and Toto, are thought to be of Native American origins, but have uncertain origins.
  5. "Starke County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  6. Schwartz, Jim. "Indiana's Bargain Capital".
  7. Potempa, Philip. "Here are some fun facts about northwest Indiana". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved June 29, 2021.


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