Editing Fremont, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Fremont, Indiana
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| motto              = "A Place To Go home To"
| nickname           = 
| image_skyline      = Downtown Fremont, Indiana.jpg
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Downtown Fremont
| image_map          = File:Steuben County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Fremont Highlighted 1825882.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Fremont in Steuben County, Indiana.
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| area_note          = 
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Indiana]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Steuben County, Indiana|Steuben]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Township]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Fremont Township, Steuben County, Indiana|Fremont]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = Platted
| established_date   = 1837
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1  = 1867
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 2034
| population_density_sq_mi = 654.44
| population_density_km2 = 252.70
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| 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_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 8.08
| area_land_km2      = 8.05
| area_water_km2     = 0.04
| area_total_sq_mi   = 3.12
| area_land_sq_mi    = 3.11
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.01
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 1053
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|43|41|N|84|56|23|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 46737
| area_code          = [[Area code 260|260]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-25882<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        = 2396951<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396951}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| website            = {{URL|http://www.townoffremont.org}}
}}
'''Fremont''' is a town in [[Fremont Township, Steuben County, Indiana|Fremont Township]], [[Steuben County, Indiana|Steuben County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Indiana]].<ref name=gnis/> The population was 2,034 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
Fremont was first settled in 1834 under the name Willow Prairie. It became the Village of Brockville when it was [[plat]]ted in 1837.  In 1848, it was renamed to honor [[John C. Frémont]], "the Great Pathfinder", in part because there was already a Brockville in Indiana.<ref>Taylor et al., p. 25.</ref>

A post office was established under the name Brockville in 1837, and was renamed to Fremont in 1848. The post office is currently in operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=IN&county=Steuben |title=Steuben County |publisher=Jim Forte Postal History |access-date=September 29, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001203905/http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=IN&county=Steuben |archive-date=October 1, 2016 }}</ref>

The town of Fremont was officially incorporated in 1867.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Fremont - FREMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |url=https://fremontchamber.us/history.html |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=fremontchamber.us}}</ref>

In 1914, the first hospital in Steuben County was opened in Fremont by Dr. Wade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IHB |date=2020-12-07 |title=Fremont Indiana |url=https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/fremont-indiana/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=IHB |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
Fremont is located four miles east of the interchange between [[Interstate 69 in Indiana|Interstate 69]] and the [[Indiana Toll Road]] ([[Interstate 80 (Indiana)|Interstate 80]]/[[Interstate 90 (Indiana)|90]]) on [[State Road 120 (Indiana)|State Road 120]].

According to the 2010 census, Fremont has a total area of {{convert|2.22|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.21|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 99.55%) is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 0.45%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1825882
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=July 16, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213054455/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1825882
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

As an oddity, someone traveling due east from Fremont crosses into Michigan—not into Ohio. This is due to the early 19th century Ohio-Michigan boundary dispute over Toledo (q.v. [[Toledo War]] for details).

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 392
|1880= 632
|1890= 672
|1900= 709
|1910= 694
|1920= 729
|1930= 802
|1940= 855
|1950= 947
|1960= 937
|1970= 1043
|1980= 1180
|1990= 1407
|2000= 1696
|2010= 2138
|2020= 2034
|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>
}}

[[Image:Erastus Farnham House, Fremont IN.jpg|thumb|The [[Erastus Farnham House]], just south of Fremont, on [[State Road 827 (Indiana)|State Road 827]].  Built c. 1849, it is reported to have been a stop on the [[Underground Railroad]].<ref>Sauer, Dodge, McClew, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources all attest to this.  McClew and the DNR are unequivocal.</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 2,138 people, 815 households, and 561 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|963.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 878 housing units at an average density of {{convert|395.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 815 households, of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.2% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the town was 33.1 years. 29.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 21.9% were from 45 to 64; and 10.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,696 people, 640 households, and 455 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|761.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 679 housing units at an average density of {{convert|305.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.11% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.18% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.29% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.06% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.47% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.88% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.95% of the population.[[Image:Fremont, Indiana 1876.PNG|thumb|300px|left|'''Fremont, Indiana''' from 1876 Atlas]]

There were 64 households, out of which 4.34% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 508% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 2.89% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 33.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,462, and the median income for a family was $42,446. Males had a median income of $31,333 versus $22,260 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $16,067. About 5.7% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Sites of interest==
The following are [[National Register of Historic Places]] sites in or near Fremont:
* The [[Enos Michael House]], 200 E. Toledo St, built c. 1850.
* The [[William L. Lords House]], Clear Lake Rd., built c. 1848.
* [[Pokagon State Park]], four miles west of Fremont, is known for recreational activities such as swimming in Lake James, [[camping]] and [[tobogganing]] in the winter months. In addition to the park itself, the [[Combination Shelter]] (known locally as the [[Civilian Conservation Corps|CCC]] Shelter) at the park is also on the Register.

Fremont and the surrounding area enjoys several facilities and activities throughout the year:
* Fremont hosts its annual Music Fest each July, which features a parade, live music, games and vendors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fremont Music Fest XXIV |url=http://fremontchamber.org/pdf/Music%20Fest/2018%20music%20fest%20flyer%20&%20back%20of%20newsletter.pdf |website=fremontchamber.org |access-date=August 29, 2018}}</ref>
* City Park hosts a farmers' market on Saturday mornings during the summer months.
* [[Pokagon State Park]] sponsors a deer hunt in the autumn of most years to help control the population.
* Vistula Park is home to Fremont's little league baseball and softball diamonds. It also has basketball hoops, a pavilion and over a mile of paved walking trails in its woods.
* On [[Lake George (Steuben County, Indiana)|Lake George]], a former hotel and restaurant, the Lake George Retreat, served a variety of cuisine in a historic setting. The retreat caught fire and burnt to the ground in 2017.

==Education==
[[File:Fremont Public Library.jpg|thumb|The Fremont Public Library]]
[[File:Mantis sculpture .jpg|thumb|One of several sculptures created by local artists and installed at the Fremont Public Library.]]
Fremont Community Schools oversees three schools in its district: [[Fremont High School (Indiana)|Fremont High School]], Fremont Middle School and Fremont Elementary School. Enrollment in each building ranges between 350 and 400 students annually. Several extracurricular athletic programs are available at the middle and high school levels, including football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cross country, track and golf. FHS also fields teams for tennis, baseball and softball.

According to the State of Indiana Department of Education, Fremont Community Schools has been awarded an "A" grade designation for their Exemplary Student Performance for the 2011-2012 School Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doe.in.gov/improvement/accountability/f-accountability |title=A-F Accountability &#124; IDOE |access-date=August 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928141322/http://www.doe.in.gov/improvement/accountability/f-accountability |archive-date=September 28, 2013 }}</ref>

The town has a lending library, the Fremont 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 15, 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> The library offers a variety of programming for its patrons, including book clubs, classic movie nights, weekly yoga sessions, story time with snacks and crafts, and a new book coffee hour for sharing and discussing the library's newest acquisitions. It also has a local history room.

==Manufacturing==
Fremont is home to several manufacturing facilities, including [[Carver Non-woven Technologies LLC]], [[Cold Heading]], [[Swager Communications]], [[New Horizons Baking Company]], [[Health Equipment Mfg., Inc.]] and [[Dexter Axle]]. Among others is [[Cardinal IG]], which came to Fremont in March 1998. Cardinal IG, manufacturers of glass products, have been recognized as a green company, recycling virtually all of the plastic, paper and cardboard used in manufacturing processes.
{{clear}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:fremontmarker.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Historical Marker for the Town of Fremont, Indiana. Fremont was originally settled as Willow Prairie in 1834 and platted as Brockville in 1837. It officially changed its name to Fremont in 1848, named after [[John C. Frémont]]. This marker was dedicated on the [[United States Bicentennial]], July 4, 1976.]] -->

==Downtown Revitalization==
In December 2010, Fremont was awarded $500,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=500000|start_year=2010}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) from the [[State of Indiana]] for its downtown revitalization project.  According to the Town of Fremont website, the plan included improvements for pedestrian traffic, new street lighting and signage options, and reverse angle parking along Toledo Street for two blocks between Tolford and Pleasant Streets.  Construction began in September 2011 and was finished roughly 90 days later.<ref>see video: http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/lifestyle/lifes-better-here/Lifes-Better-Here-Fremont-123477679.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806081406/http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/lifestyle/lifes-better-here/Lifes-Better-Here-Fremont-123477679.html |date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

* Dodge, Dick [http://www.in.gov/R51/dodge%20report/drcurrent.html "The Dodge Report", June 13, 2006], accessed August 18, 2008.
* Indiana Department of Natural Resources, "[http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/4186.htm Underground Railroad Sites: Fremont]", accessed August 24, 2009.
* McClew, Maurice (1956) "The Underground Railroad in Steuben County", Harvey Morley, editor, ''The 1955 History, Complete County Atlas, pictorial and Biographical Album of Steuben County, Indiana'', Angola, Indiana, pp.&nbsp;352–354.
* Sauer, Lee "[https://web.archive.org/web/20090105184457/http://www.kpcnews.net/special-sections/cruising3/cruising1.html Freedom Trail: The Underground Railroad ran through northeast Indiana], KPC News.net, accessed August 18, 2008.
* Taylor, Robert M.; Stevens, Errol Wayne; Ponder, Mary Ann (1990) ''Indiana: A New Historical Guide'', Indiana Historical Society, {{ISBN|978-0-87195-048-2}}.

{{Commons category|Fremont, Indiana}}

==External links==
* [http://www.townoffremont.org Town of Fremont, Indiana website]
* [http://www.fremontchamber.org Fremont Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.fremontcommunityschoolsindiana.org Fremont Community Schools website]
* [http://www.fremont.lib.in.us Fremont Public Library]
* [http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2973.htm Pokagon State Park]

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{{Steuben County, Indiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Steuben County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Towns in Indiana]]