Vallonia, Indiana

Vallonia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Driftwood and Brownstown townships, Jackson County, Indiana, United States. It was an 18th-century French settlement and 19th-century American frontier fortification known as Fort Vallonia. As of the 2010 census, Vallonia had a population of 336.[3]

Vallonia, Indiana
Census-designated place
The Joseph Jackson Hotel, a historic site in the community
The Joseph Jackson Hotel, a historic site in the community
Location of Vallonia in Jackson County, Indiana
Location of Vallonia in Jackson County, Indiana
Vallonia is located in Indiana
Vallonia
Vallonia
Vallonia is located in the United States
Vallonia
Vallonia
Coordinates: 38°50′49″N 86°05′52″W
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyJackson
TownshipsDriftwood, Brownstown
Area
[1]
 • Total0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2)
 • Land0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
531 ft (162 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total379
 • Density501.32/sq mi (193.61/km2)
Time zoneUTC-4:00 (EDT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5:00
ZIP code
47281
FIPS code18-78290[3]
GNIS feature ID445200

Geography

Vallonia is located in southwestern Jackson County at 38°50′49″N 86°05′52″W, on the southeast side of the valley of the East Fork of the White River. Indiana State Road 135 passes through the community, leading northeast 4 miles (6 km) to Brownstown, the county seat, and south 18 miles (29 km) to Salem.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Vallonia CDP has a total area of 0.76 square miles (1.97 km2), of which 0.2 acres (763 m2), or 0.04%, are water.[3]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020379—
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

History

Fort Vallonia

Vallonia was a French settlement of the late 18th century and lay between the Muscatatuck River and the White River's east fork (aka Driftwood). Circa 1810, hostilities began between the settlers and Native Americans. Governor General William Henry Harrison ordered a fort built as well as a number of other defensive structures including a large stockade, garrison, blockhouses, and a spring.[5] to be built to protect the some 90 families in the area. Two companies of Indiana Rangers were stationed here during the War of 1812.

Huff's Fort and Ketcham's Fort were two other fortifications, though not as large. Huff's fort was said to be "higher up" than Vallonia and Ketcham's "still above".[6]

One of the companies of Indiana Rangers was newly organized, and set out to investigate claims of a Native American war party near Brownstown. Finding no war party, the company returned to Fort Vallonia, but one ranger, Robert Sturgeon, rode ahead. He was ambushed by Native Americans and killed. The Rangers, in a panic, rode hard back to Fort Vallonia, never stopping to help Sturgeon.[7] Five civilians finally left the fort to recover Sturgeon's body, and buried it near the fort. When Major John Tipton arrived and learned of the Rangers' conduct, he assumed command of the fort and began routine drills of the two companies stationed at the fort. A later skirmish, known as the Battle of Tipton's Island, allowed the Rangers to prove their ability to engage Native Americans.

Numerous attacks and skirmishes occurred between the Rangers of Fort Vallonia and American Indians during the War of 1812. Attacks in this area of the Indiana Territory diminished after an expedition to destroy the Miami village at the confluence of the Wabash River and Mississinewa River. That expedition left Fort Vallonia on July 1, 1813, led by Colonel William Russell in command of the Indiana Rangers and Major Zachary Taylor in command of the 7th Infantry Regiment, as well as a company of Kentucky volunteers. The force destroyed the deserted village, which had been heavily fortified by Tecumseh, but covered 500 miles (800 km) without encountering a single Native American.[8]

Later developments

Vallonia was legally platted in 1853.[9]

Today

Vallonia is a small unincorporated community located on S. State Road 135. In 1972, Fort Vallonia was rebuilt and is the centerpiece for the annual Fort Vallonia Days festival. The three-day event is held on the third weekend of October and draws crowds of up to 30,000 people.

Vallonia was one of the primary filming areas for the martial arts film Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back.

Vallonia is the setting of "The Starve Hollow Affair", an historical fiction romance novel by P.A. Schoenfeld.

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. "Vallonia, Indiana". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Vallonia CDP, Indiana". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  4. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  5. Allison, 243
  6. Esarey, Logan, Readings in Indiana History, Indiana University, 1914
  7. Allison, 245
  8. Allison, 254-255
  9. History of Jackson County, Indiana: From the Earliest Time to the Present, with Biographical Sketches, Notes, Etc., Together with an Extended History of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory and the State of Indiana. Unigraphic. 1886. p. 394.

Further reading
  • Allison, Harold (1986). The Tragic Saga of the Indiana Indians. Paducah: Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 0-938021-07-9.
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