Editing Churubusco, Indiana

{{short description|Town in Whitley County, Indiana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Churubusco, Indiana
| official_name      = Town of Churubusco
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| nicknames          = 'Busco, Turtle Town, U.S.A.
| population_demonym = Busconian
| image_skyline      = Churubusco, Indiana.jpg
| imagesize          = 290px
| image_caption      = 
| image_map          = File:Whitley County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Churubusco Highlighted 1812610.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Churubusco in Whitley County, Indiana.
| image_map1         = Churubusco map.png
| thumb              = 
| mapsize1           = 250x200px
| map_caption1       = City limits as of 2010 annexation.
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Indiana]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Whitley County, Indiana|Whitley]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Township]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Smith Township, Whitley County, Indiana|Smith]]
| government_type    = [[Town council#Indiana|council-clerk]]
| leader_title       = President
| leader_name        = Mark Pepple{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
| area_note          = 
| established_date   = 
| area_land_km2      = 2.71
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 2.71
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.05
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.05
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 896
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|13|51|N|85|19|11|W|region:US-IN_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 1870
| population_density_sq_mi = 1784.35
| population_density_km2 = 689.18
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 46723
| area_code          = [[Area code 260|260]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-12610<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2396645<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396645}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| website            = {{URL|http://www.townofchurubusco.com}}
| unit_pref          = Imperial
}}
'''Churubusco''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|tʃ|ɛr|ə|ˈ|b|ʌ|s|k|oʊ}} or {{IPAc-en|ˌ|tʃ|ɛr|i|ˈ|b|ʌ|s|k|oʊ}}); often shortened to '''Busco''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ʌ|s|k|oʊ}}), is a town located near the headwaters of the [[Eel River (Wabash River)|Eel River]] in the extreme northeast corner of [[Whitley County, Indiana]], United States, in [[Smith Township, Whitley County, Indiana|Smith Township]], about {{convert|16|mi}} northwest of [[Fort Wayne, Indiana|Fort Wayne]].<ref name=gnis/> The population was 1,796 at the 2010 census.

==History==

[[Image:Churubusco Indiana 1889 Plat Map.png|thumb|150px|left|An 1889 plat map of Churubusco showing the first two towns, "Union" and "Franklin."]]
Originally, the area of Churubusco was made up of two towns founded in the 19th century by European Americans: Union and Franklin (in honor of [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father]] [[Benjamin Franklin]]) that bordered each other across a railroad track. In the 1840s, the populations of both Franklin and Union grew large enough to qualify each for a [[post office]]. Before that time, residents of both towns had to trek 11 miles by foot or horse and buggy to nearby [[Columbia City, Indiana|Columbia City]] to get their mail.  Since the towns were in the same location, the [[United States Postmaster General|Postmaster General]] ordered the towns to apply for a joint post office.  The Postmaster General denied the use of either "Union" and "Franklin" as the new post office name, since both were already used by other Indiana towns.

After a community meeting, the residents selected [[Churubusco]] for the new post office, named after the site of the 1847 [[Battle of Churubusco]], in [[Mexico]] during the [[Mexican–American War]].  At the time, after the suggestion of local school teacher Eliza Rich, the townsfolk thought it was as patriotic a name as Union and Franklin, since the United States won a large victory there.  More importantly, they were certain no other Indiana town would already have chosen such a unique name.<ref>S. P. Kaler and R. H. Maring, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=-hUVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA860&dq=churubusco+indiana&lr=&ei=cBiTSbffOKSayATmjtnPCA#PPA296,M1 Whitley County Indiana]'', B.F. Bowen & Co., 1907.</ref> The Churubusco post office has been in operation since 1848.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitley County |url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=IN&county=Whitley |access-date=July 6, 2016 |publisher=Jim Forte Postal History}}</ref>

The name ''Churubusco'' is a [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]] corruption of an [[indigenous peoples|indigenous]] [[Nahuatl]] [[toponym]] (place name) referring to a temple area celebrating the [[Aztec]] god ''[[Huitzilopochtli]]''.  It is bordered by the [[Rio Churubusco]] in [[Mexico City]].  The Spanish-Nahuatl word literally translates as 'place (or temple) of ''Huitzilopochtli'' (the left side or south of the hummingbird)'.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/1997/0820/082097.opin.opin.1.html Howard LaFranchi, "How the Southwest was won"], ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'', August 20, 1997, accessed May 9, 2008</ref>

==Geography==
According to the 2010 census, Churubusco has a total area of {{convert|0.9|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1812610
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=July 14, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213055446/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1812610
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 720
|1890= 869
|1900= 884
|1910= 870
|1920= 916
|1930= 1095
|1940= 1122
|1950= 1232
|1960= 1284
|1970= 1528
|1980= 1638
|1990= 1781
|2000= 1666
|2010= 1796
|2020= 1870
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,796 people, 706 households, and 483 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1995.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 749 housing units at an average density of {{convert|832.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 706 households, of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.6% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the town was 33.9 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,666 people, 650 households, and 438 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,876.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 692 housing units at an average density of {{convert|779.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.60% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.06% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.60% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.24% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.12% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.32% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.38% of the population.

There were 650 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,583, and the median income for a family was $49,279. Males had a median income of $34,844 versus $22,161 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $17,814. About 3.2% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Law and government==
[[File:US-IN-Churubusco-Skyline.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Downtown Churubusco]]Churubusco has an elected [[town clerk|clerk]] and [[town council]]-style. The Churubusco Town Council is a three-member legislative group that serve four-year terms; each are elected town-wide as at-large council members. The council elects one member from among its body to act as president of the council. That president sets agendas during council meetings. Beginning January 1, 2016, the Council began serving staggered terms, with two members serving a one-time, three-year term, and one member and Clerk-Treasurer serving a four-year term.

==Culture==

Churubusco is home to the oldest continually held festival in Indiana. This event is held yearly at the local park grounds and features many different rides, games, live music, and vendors for the enjoyment of people of all ages. Turtle Days is rooted in the lore of Oscar the Turtle or the ''[[Beast of Busco]]'', a giant snapping turtle that reportedly haunted nearby Fulk's Lake in [[Allen County, Indiana|Allen County]]. Many have tried to catch the monster turtle but no successful attempt has ever been recorded. He has been thought to be the size of a small car. The lake he is rumored to hide in has been drained, but no evidence was found. A popular theory as to why this turtle is so elusive is because the lakes and ponds around Churubusco are connected through an extensive series of channels and streams;  some of which are tunnels. Many locals have claimed to see the beast but until evidence can be found, Oscar will still be a mystery of Churubusco, Indiana. Churubusco has multiple murals and statues commemorating this local legend around the down town area as well as inside of Smith green community schools.

Churubusco recently completed phase one of the Downtown Revitalization Project, funded in part with a Main Street Revitalization Grant. The completed phase reconstructed sidewalks, added decorative lighting and landscaping features, and new benches and trash receptacles along the 100 block of North Main Street ([[US 33]]), enhancing the beauty of the downtown area. Churubusco's downtown is home to many locally owned shops including an antique store, two barber shops, a hardware store, a secondhand clothing store, and restaurants. One famous restaurant, Magic Wand, is located on South Main Street. It has been owned and operated by the same family since 1964 and is a family friendly diner that also has an outside ice-cream shop. This Indiana landmark is famous for its unusual decor, with the inside of the restaurant decorated with hundreds of clowns.

Churubusco Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Churubusco have been instrumental in creating events that have assisted in the improvement of the quality of life for town residents. Every August, Churubusco hosts the 'Busco Block Party. This free event features local merchants, live music, and other events. The Chamber and the Town have also partnered to organize Halloweenfest. Held the Saturday before Halloween, the event features a merchant trick-or-treat, costume contest, hayrides, and more. Hundreds of children attend the event and it continues to grow every year.

==Education==
[[Churubusco High School]], Middle School, and Elementary School together form the [[Smith–Green Community Schools]] district which includes approximately 1,400 students.<ref>[http://www.sgcs.k12.in.us/index_files/page0001.html Smith–Green Community Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413203035/http://www.sgcs.k12.in.us/index_files/page0001.html |date=April 13, 2006 }}. Retrieved on May 29, 2008.</ref>

The town has a lending library, the Churubusco Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.in.gov/library/files/countyindex13.pdf | title=Indiana public library directory | publisher=Indiana State Library | access-date=March 17, 2018 | archive-date=February 18, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218220414/http://in.gov/library/files/countyindex13.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Climate==
{{Weather box 
|location = Churubusco, Indiana
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 30
|Feb high F = 34
|Mar high F = 46
|Apr high F = 59
|May high F = 71
|Jun high F = 80
|Jul high F = 84
|Aug high F = 82
|Sep high F = 76
|Oct high F = 63
|Nov high F = 49
|Dec high F = 36
|Jan low F = 14
|Feb low F = 16
|Mar low F = 26
|Apr low F = 36
|May low F = 47
|Jun low F = 57
|Jul low F = 60
|Aug low F = 58
|Sep low F = 51
|Oct low F = 40
|Nov low F = 32
|Dec low F = 20
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.9
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.8
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.9
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.6
|May precipitation inch = 3.5
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.1
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.8
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.4
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.4
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.6
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.3
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.1
|source 1 = weatherbase.com.<ref name=climate>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?refer=&s=937121 |title=Whitley County, Indiana |access-date=July 2, 2006}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

'''Severe weather'''
* On April 25, 1929, a tornado blew the roof off a [[filling station|service station]] in the town.<ref>''[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/program_areas/wxhisttdy/index.php?url=Apr25|On Apr 25 in weather history...]'', National Weather Service. Retrieved on June 16, 2006.</ref>

==Media==

===Newspapers===
Churbusco has had seven news sources in its history, five of which have ceased publication.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/library/3579.htm |title=Whitley County Newspapers |publisher=[[Indiana State Library]] |access-date=September 4, 2008}}</ref>
* ''Churubusco News'', weekly [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] newspaper, 1994–present
* ''Busco Paper'', weekly newspaper, 1914–1936
* ''Daily Busconian'', daily newspaper, 1910
* ''Churubusco Tri-County Truth'', weekly [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] newspaper, 1891–1990, originally published as the ''Saturday Truth''
* ''Churubusco Sunday People'', weekly newspaper, January 17 – May 27, 1886
* ''Churubusco Weekly Herald'', weekly newspaper, 1881–1882

===Radio===
* [[WXKE]] 96.3&nbsp;MHz [[Radio format]]: [[Classic rock]]

==Notable people==
* [[Martha Barnhart]], officer in the [[Daughters of the American Revolution]]
* [[Paul Ashley Chase]], (1878–1946), co-founding executive of [[Warner Brothers Pictures]] with [[Harry Warner]]
* [[Brent Gaff]] - professional baseball player
* [[Harry Gandy]], (1881–1957), former [[U.S. Representative]] from [[South Dakota]] (March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1921)<ref>''[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=G000037 GANDY, Harry Luther]'', ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress'' Retrieved on June 16, 2006.</ref>
* [[Craig W. Hartman]], architect<ref>''[http://www.bsu.edu/update/article/0,1384,38105-5107-62025,00.html After years bringing credit to Ball State, Venderly, Hartman honored by alma mater]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}'', ''[[Ball State University]] News Service'', May 21, 2009. Retrieved on July 15, 2009.</ref>
* [[Sharon Wichman]], Olympic gold medalist swimmer

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.townofchurubusco.com Town of Churubusco, Indiana website]

{{Whitley County, Indiana}}
{{Fort Wayne Metro}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Whitley County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Towns in Indiana]]
[[Category:Fort Wayne, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]]