Editing Montpelier, Indiana (section)

==Culture==
[[Image:Montpelier Carnegie Library.jpg|thumb|alt=Brick library building|right|Montpelier's Carnegie Library]] [[Image:Baptist Church Montpelier IN.jpg|thumb|alt=Brick church building|right|Montpelier's First Baptist Church]] Montpelier has a long history of racing. During the 19th century, there were at least two race tracks for horses near Montpelier. Montpelier's own horse track was established in 1903.<ref name="Ahist9899">''A History of Blackford County…,'' pp. 98-99.</ref>  This track was very popular and drew crowds of 3,000. During the 1920s, a rebuilt track became known as the fastest half mile in Indiana.<ref name="Ahist9899"/> During the 1950s, the track became a stock car racing track, but reverted to horses in the 1960s. The track closed in 1973, but reopened in 1985 for stock car races and horse racing.  Today, Montpelier Raceway features sanctioned stock car racing.<ref name="MontpelierWS" />

The Public Library of Montpelier and Harrison Township was built in 1907 and 1908.<ref>Leonard and Walker's National Register of Historic Places Registration: Montpelier Carnegie Library.</ref> The building was made possible by a donation of $10,000 from philanthropist (and former [[business magnate]]) [[Andrew Carnegie]]. Built in the [[Neoclassicism|Classical Revival]] style of architecture, this building (under the historical name of [[Montpelier Carnegie Library]]) was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2007.<ref>National Register of Historic Places weekly announcements [http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20070706.HTM web page] for July 6, 2007.</ref>  It is one of only three individual buildings in Blackford County [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Blackford County, Indiana|listed in the National Register]].  (The county also has a [[Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District|Historic District]].)

Montpelier's First Baptist Church was founded by Franklin Baldwin, brother of the leader of Montpelier's first settlers, Abel Baldwin.<ref>''A History of Blackford County…,'' p. 96.</ref> The congregation was organized in 1838. The present church building, located in downtown Montpelier, was constructed in 1907 and 1908. The building has been remodeled since that time.

High school basketball is very [[Hoosier Hysteria|popular in Indiana]], and Montpelier has been a strong participant. Despite its smaller size, Montpelier High School won five sectional basketball tournament championships. After a high school consolidation, Montpelier students began attending [[Blackford High School (Indiana)|Blackford High School]] – and Blackford has won ten sectional championships.<ref>The Indiana High School Athletic Association [http://www.ihsaa.org/dnn/Sports/Boys/Basketball/AllTimeSectionalChampions/tabid/632/Default.aspx web site lists all sectional champions].</ref> Additional sporting activities in Montpelier include [[Little League baseball]], [[Tee Ball]], and [[softball]].<ref>Montpelier, Indiana [http://www.montpelier-indiana.com/attractions.htm web site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714113449/http://www.montpelier-indiana.com/attractions.htm |date=2011-07-14 }}.</ref>  Golfing, camping, and fishing are also available nearby.

The Montpelier Jamboree is an annual celebration that was first held in 1945.<ref>''A History of Blackford County…,'' p. 97.</ref> This [[Labor Day]] weekend celebration features musical acts, a Jamboree Queen contest, and other activities.<ref>Montpelier, Indiana [http://www.montpelier-indiana.com/jamboree.htm web site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714113455/http://www.montpelier-indiana.com/jamboree.htm |date=2011-07-14 }}.</ref>

===Miami Indians===
{{main|Miami Indian (sculpture)}}
The former [[Godfroy Reserve|Godfroy Reservation]], an [[Indian reservation]] for Chief Francis Godfroy and Miami Indians from 1827 until 1836, is located on the Salamonie River near Montpelier.<ref>See Indiana Historical Bureau's web page for the [[Godfroy Reserve]] marker. [http://www.in.gov/history/markers/45.htm "Godfroy Marker"]  See also the Hoxie's "Encyclopedia of North American Indians", page 715.</ref> (Francis is the English pronunciation of Godfroy's real name François. The Indian pronunciation of François was Palonzwa.<ref>Bodurtha, p. 36.</ref>) Godfroy's father was French, and his mother was from the Miami tribe. A big man at six feet tall and 300 pounds, Godfroy was the last war chief of the Miami Nation.<ref>See historic marker [http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM8BQN_Burial_Place_of_Indian_War_Chief_Francis_Godfroy for Godfroy burial place].</ref><ref>Bodurtha, [https://archive.org/details/historyofmiamico01bodu/page/33 <!-- quote=francis godfroy. --> p. 33].</ref> A sculpture of a [[Plains Indian]] stands in downtown Montpelier, donated by Chief [[Larry Godfroy]]. The sculpture was seen in the introductory montage on the television program ''[[Parks and Recreation]]''. The “Ice Cream Giant” at the former Point Restaurant north of Montpelier was also featured in this clip.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/10313| title = Montpelier, IN - Ice Cream Giant: Parks & Recreation}}</ref>