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Oaktown History |
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Oaktown was founded by H. B. Shepard and
George Bond, Sr. in 1854, in Busseron
Township, Knox County, Indiana. The
Evansville and Crawfordsville Railroad was
completed in 1854 and was instrumental in
the location of the town, originally known
as Oak Station, or the ‘Station’ and finally
Oaktown. In the fall of 1854 Josiah Wolfe
opened a general merchandise store which at
the location of the former Watts Bond store,
facing east toward the railroad tracks.
Josiah Wolfe was also the first postmaster.
After about two years, Mr. Wolfe sold his
business to George and Adam Bond.
The principle products of the area were
corn, wheat, oats and hay, sweet potatoes,
tomatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes. In
1900 about 1,600 acres were devoted to
growing melons for market. There were
several nationally known orchards in the
area: Yates Orchard, Schulze Orchard, Dixie
Orchard, Summers & Wolfe and Schulze &
Clark. In 1944 the Knox County Farm Bureau
Co-Op purchased Sartor & Clark grain
elevator.
Oaktown was proud of its school system and
buildings. The first two-story brick school
building was built in 1896, and the
two-story high school building was built in
1925. The school system was consolidated in
1963, and these buildings were torn down.
Oak Village Nursing Home now stands on the
old school property. Oaktown also boasted a
nice park call Oak-Haven, which provided
playgrounds, facilities for reunions,
picnics, concerts, homecomings and sports.
Tired travelers along Highway 41 could find
rest and refreshment at Mercier’s Tourist
Court and Maple Grove Motel & Café at the
south edge of town.
The Oaktown Bank was organized as a private
bank in 1902 by W. A. Polk, W. W. Osborn and
V. O. Shepard. In 1903 Mr. Shepard’s
interest was purchased by L. L. Blann. It
was reorganized in 1908 as a State Bank.
Bank officiers in 1948 were: Starner Bond,
Clarence Blann, L. T. Stevens, William
Westrup and Kathleen Dunkerly.
H. M. Carstens owned and operated the lumber
yard located at the corner of Park and 4th
Streets.
Electricity was brought to Oaktown in 1940
and its first water system was installed in
1941-42. A weekly newspaper, ‘Oaktown
Press,’ was published by C. E. Mitton and
later by his son, Henry Mitton. Stoelting
Brothers Blacksmith Shop began operation in
1893, and was located next to the Opera
House on 3rd Street.
Oaktown had many businesses through the
years: Curtis H. Schulze Funeral Home; P. G.
Shepard Staples & Fancy Groceries; Stevens &
Sartor Insurance Agency; Philippe Ice &
Coal; Dr. W. C. Sprinkle & Dr. Harold Ball,
veterinarians; The Rexall Store; J. R.
Charley & Son General Store; Keith &
Stinnett Real Estate; Oaktown Telephone
Company; L. T. Stevens Insurance Agency;
Wabash Grain Company; Jim Clark Insurance
Agency; Harter’s Bakery; John T. Stalcup
Groceries; George F. Wolfe & Son Funeral
Home; Charles E. Ballance Insurance Agency;
The New Store; Ed L. Racey Groceries &
Lunch; Oaktown Billiard Parlor; Rockett’s
Hotel & Restaurant; E. S. Cunningham
Pharmacy; Fred Fox Real Estate; Shephard
Flower Shop; Moore’s Garage & Grocery; Dr.
George H. Springstun; Umberger Standard
Service Station; Green Construction Company,
Warren’s IGA Grocery Store; Ham & Melick’s
Gas-Oil-Groceries; Garner & Takash Sinclair
Service Station; Homer Holcomb Insurance
Agency; Gladys Mauck Beauty Shop; Black’s
Hotel; The Opera House; Dr. W. A. Hodges;
Flo-Retta Beauty Shop; Johnson Feed &
Supply; Rickard’s Café; Elmer Moore’s Barber
Shop; Sartor Service Station; Wolfe’s Drug
Store; Jim’s Roller Rink; Hangar’s Garage;
Van’s Welding Shop; Red & White Grocery
Store; Kingsley Hotel. |
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