Goshen, Indiana

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Goshen (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a city in and the county seat of Elkhart County, Indiana, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> It is the smaller of the two principal cities of the Elkhart–Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend–Elkhart–Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the northern part of Indiana near the Michigan border, in a region known as Michiana. Goshen is located 10 miles southeast of Elkhart, 25 miles southeast of South Bend, 120 miles east of Chicago, and 150 miles north of Indianapolis. The population of Goshen was 34,517 at the 2020 census.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The city is known as a prominent recreational vehicle and accessories manufacturing center, the home of Goshen College, a small Mennonite liberal arts college, and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, one of the largest county fairs in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Before the arrival of white colonists, the land that is today Goshen, Indiana, was populated by Native Americans, specifically the Miami people, the Peoria people, and Potawatomi peoples. These people inhabited this land for thousands of years.<ref name="History">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1830, the US Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, requiring all indigenous people to relocate west of the Mississippi River.

Goshen was platted in 1831.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was named after the Land of Goshen.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The initial settlers consisted entirely of old stock "Yankee" immigrants, who were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the 1600s.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> The New England Yankee population that founded towns such as Goshen considered themselves the "chosen people," and identified with the Israelites of the Old Testament and they thought of North America as their Canaan. They founded a large number of towns and counties across what is known as the Northern Tier of the upper midwest. It was in this context that Goshen was named.<ref name="ReferenceA">The Yankee Exodus: An Account of Migration from New England by Stewart Hall Holbrook University of Washington Press, 1968</ref><ref>American Zion: The Old Testament as a Political Text from the Revolution to ... By Eran Shalev, Yale University Press, March 26, 2013 Template:ISBN page 70–71</ref>

The Yankee migration to Indiana was a result of several factors, one of which was the overpopulation of New England. The old-stock Yankee population had large families, often bearing up to ten children in one household. Most people were expected to have their own piece of land to farm, and due to the massive and nonstop population boom, land in New England became scarce as every son claimed his own farmstead. As a result, there was not enough land for every family to have a self-sustaining farm, and Yankee settlers began leaving New England for the Midwestern United States.<ref name="ReferenceB">A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Elkhart County, Indiana, edited by Anthony Deahl, Lewis Publishing Company, 1905</ref>

They were aided in this effort by the construction and completion of the Erie Canal which made traveling to the region much easier, causing an additional surge in migrants coming from New England. Added to this was the end of the Black Hawk War, which made the region much safer for white settlers to travel through and settle in. However, the Black Hawk War also forced the native people who called Goshen home for so long to leave. The 1833 Treaty of Chicago ultimately set the conditions that would force the Potawatomi in particular to leave the Midwest, Goshen included, in 1837. This forced exile is known today as the Potawatomi Trail of Death.<ref name="History" />

These settlers were primarily members of the Congregational Church, though due to the Second Great Awakening, many of them had converted to Methodism, and some had become Baptists before coming to what is now Indiana. The Congregational Church has subsequently gone through many divisions, and some factions, including those in Goshen, are now known as the Church of Christ and the United Church of Christ.<ref name="ReferenceB" /> When the New Englanders arrived in what is now Elkhart County there was nothing but a dense virgin forest and wild prairie. They laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings, and established post routes.<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref name="ReferenceB" />

File:1965 Elkhart Double Tornado-Palm Sunday.jpg

This double tornado hit the Midway Trailer Court northwest of Goshen on U.S. 33, Palm Sunday, 1965.
This image has been nominated for deletion as a potential copyright violation.

On Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, a large outbreak of tornadoes struck the Midwest. The most famous pair of tornadoes devastated the Midway Trailer Park (now inside the city limits of Goshen), and the Sunnyside Housing Addition in Dunlap, Indiana. Another, smaller F4 tornado also struck neighborhoods on the southeast side of Goshen on the same day. Statewide, 137 Hoosiers died in the storms—55 of them in Elkhart County. Days later, President Lyndon B. Johnson visited the Dunlap site.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Goshen Historic District, added in 1983 to the National Register of Historic Places<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is bounded by Pike, RR, Cottage, Plymouth, Main, Purl, the Canal, and Second Sts. with the Elkhart County Courthouse at its center.

In April 2006, Goshen was the site of an immigration march. Officials estimated that from 2,000 to 3,000 people marched from Linway Plaza to the County Courthouse.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Goshen has been called a "sundown town", and African Americans were allegedly prevented from living in, or entering, the town, under threat of violence. However, there was never a city ordinance or official policy to enforce such a restriction. Nevertheless, in March 2015, the city issued a formal apology for racial discrimination in the past. A documentary made at Goshen College, Goshen: A Sundown Town's Transformation, tells the story of why Goshen has been called a sundown town.Template:Citation needed

The Elkhart County Courthouse, Fort Wayne Street Bridge, Goshen Carnegie Public Library, Goshen Historic District, William N. Violett House, and Violett-Martin House and Gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref</ref>

Geography

Goshen is located at Template:Coord. The Elkhart River winds its way through the city and through a dam on the south side making the Goshen Dam Pond. Rock Run Creek also runs through town. The city is divided east–west by Main Street and north–south by Lincoln Avenue.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Indiana gazetteer 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>

Environmental leadership

In February 2018, the Elkhart River flooded as a result of heavy rain and snowmelt. The river rose to a record 13.2 feet, damaging more than 300 structures and prompting evacuations. City government has responded to the increase in severe weather such as flooding, hail, and heavy rains with measures including stormwater management, and "an initiative to grow the town's tree canopy by 45%." Goshen completed 92 solar projects in 2019. Goshen outranked Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver with its 2019 production of 116 watts of solar power per capita.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Climate

Template:Weather box

Demographics

File:Goshen-indiana-courthouse.jpg

Elkhart County courthouse in Goshen.

Template:US Census population

2020 census

**Goshen city, Indiana – Racial and ethnic composition**
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	21,140	20,057	66.65%	58.11%
Black or African American alone (NH)	740	1,079	2.33%	3.13%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	72	45	0.23%	0.13%
Asian alone (NH)	376	471	1.19%	1.36%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)	9	13	0.03%	0.04%
Other race alone (NH)	38	120	0.12%	0.35%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	441	1,083	1.39%	3.14%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	8,903	11,649	28.07%	33.75%
Total	31,719	34,517	100.00%	100.00%

2010 census

As of the census<ref name="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 31,719 people, 11,344 households, and 7,580 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 12,631 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 78.2% White, 2.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 14.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.1% of the population.

There were 11,344 households, of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone who was 65 years of age or older living alone. The average household size was 2.67, and the average family size was 3.23.

The median age in the city was 32.4 years. 27.4% of residents were under 18; 11.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 20% were from 45 to 64, and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 29,383 people, 10,675 households, and 7,088 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 11,264 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 83.15% White, 1.53% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 12.00% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 19.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,675 households, of which 32.6% had children under 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,383, and the median income for a family was $46,877. Males had a median income of $32,159 versus $23,290 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,899. About 6.0% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those aged 65 or over.

Economy

Industry in Goshen centers around the automotive and recreational vehicle business. There are automotive component manufacturers such as Benteler; firms that build custom bodies onto chassis such as Supreme, Independent Protection, and Showhauler Trucks. RV manufacturing companies include Dutchmen, Forest River, and Keystone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

The government consists of a mayor, a clerk-treasurer, a city council, and a youth advisor. The mayor and clerk are elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of seven members. Five are elected from individual districts. Two are elected at large. The youth advisor position was added in 2016 and is elected by the students of Goshen High School.

Gina Leichty, a member of the Democratic Party, is the first woman to become Mayor of Goshen in its 192-year history. Leichty became Mayor following the resignation of former mayor Jeremy Stutsman. Stutsman left the mayorship to be CEO of a local nonprofit housing agency, LaCasa.<ref><https://www.goshennews.com/news/leichty-named-interim-goshen-mayor/article_5485870e-ead4-11ed-b9f3-23b3cc3b38b4.html></ref>

Education

Goshen Community Schools serves the portion of the city in Elkhart Township.<ref name=ElkhartCoSDMap2020>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref> This system consists of six elementary schools, Goshen Intermediate School, Goshen Junior High School, and Goshen High School.

In 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked Goshen High School as the 12th best high school in Indiana and the top 6% of high schools in the country.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Small parts of the city of Goshen are covered by several other school districts, including Middlebury Community Schools, Concord Community Schools, and WaNee Community Schools.<ref name=ElkhartCoSDMap2020/>

Additionally, Goshen is served by Bethany Christian Schools, a private Christian school for grades 4–12.

Goshen College, located on the south side of town, has an enrollment of approximately 773, with 37% male and 63% female. Tuition and fees for the 2024–2025 year were $38,890.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The town has a free lending library, the Goshen Public Library.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Transportation

Airports

Goshen Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located about 3.5 miles southeast of downtown Goshen. The Goshen Board of Aviation Commissioners owns the airport.<ref>Template:FAA-airport. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective May 31, 2012.</ref>

The closest airports with regularly scheduled commercial service are South Bend International Airport (about Template:Convert away) and Fort Wayne International Airport (about Template:Convert away). O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is about Template:Convert away.

Bus

The Interurban Trolley bus connects Goshen to the nearby city of Elkhart and the unincorporated town of Dunlap via Concord and Elkhart-Goshen routes. The routes pass at Elkhart's Amtrak station, allowing passengers to connect to the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited trains. Riders can also transfer to the North Pointe and Bittersweet/Mishawaka routes. The former allows riders to connect to Elkhart's Greyhound bus station, while the later connects the riders to the city of Mishawaka and town of Osceola. The Bittersweet/Mishawaka route also allows them to transfer to TRANSPO Route 9 to connect to destinations throughout the South Bend-Goshen metropolitan region and the South Shore Line's South Bend International Airport station.

Recreation

File:Pumpkinvine Trail Outside of Goshen.jpg

Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

File:First Friday Cruising - July 2011.jpg

Cruising on First Friday, July 2011.

Goshen has seven parks and has a few different greenways and trails winding through the city, one of which runs along the old Mill Race and hydraulic canal, which was once used to power an old hydroelectric power plant. Plans were drawn up in 2005 call for the plant to be reopened and redevelopment to begin along the canal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail runs from Goshen to Middlebury and Shipshewana, along the former Pumpkin Vine Railroad. The trail starts northeast of Goshen at Abshire Park. It is one of the recreational highlights of Goshen. Along with the Maple City Greenway and the Millrace trail, they provide many miles of easily accessible trails for walking, running, and biking.

The Elkhart County Fairgrounds are also located in the city, where the Elkhart County 4-H Fair is held in late July. It is the largest county fair in Indiana and one of the largest 4-H County Fairs in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Goshen Air Show is also an annual event that takes place at the Goshen Municipal Airport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2007, Downtown Goshen, Inc., a public-private partnership formed from the merger of Face of the City and the Downtown Action Team, started a First Fridays program. Occurring year round, First Fridays happens on the first Friday of each month with stores open until 9, music and other entertainment, and other events occurring within Goshen's downtown district.

One favorite pastime of Goshen residents is driving cars.Template:Citation needed

Culture

The south side Wal-Mart is rumored to be the first Wal-Mart in the United States to provide a covered stable for its frequent Amish customers. The Amish built the stable with lumber and other supplies donated by Wal-Mart.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Lonesome Jim (2005) which was written by former resident James Strouse, directed by Steve Buscemi and starred Liv Tyler and Casey Affleck, was shot in Goshen.

Notable people

Mayors of Goshen


Name	Term	End Date	Pol. Party
Henry Daniel Wilson	May 1868	May 1869	Dem.
Melvin Barnes Hascall	May 1869	May 1871
Joseph A S Mitchell<ref>Joseph Mitchell (Indiana judge), "J.A.S. Mitchell House," Fifth and Madison</ref>	May 1871	May 1873	Dem.
George Freese Sr	May 1873	May 1875	Republ., Prohibitionist
Charles Bidwell Alderman	1875; 1877; 1879;	May 1882	Dem.
Philemon Doud Harding<ref>"Our Harding Family" by MARY E. HARDING BAIRD 1957, Mayor 1882-U & 1886-1888</ref>	May 1882	May 1884	Dem.
Josiah B. Cobb	May 1884	May 1886	Republi.
Philemon Doud Harding	1886 See Above	May 1888	Dem
Charles Wesley Miller<ref>Who's Who in Finance, Incorporated (N.Y.), vol 1, pub. 1911; tr. by J.S. Centennial history and handbook of Indiana. Cottman, George S. (George Streibe), 1857–1941</ref>	May 1888	May 1890	Republ.
John H. Lesh<ref>"Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana: Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and of the Whole State, Both Living and Dead"</ref>	May 1890	May 1892	Republ.
John B. Walk<ref>Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana 1893; "GOSHEN—John B. Walk, ex-mayor of this city, whose suicide has been noted, shortly before hanging himself paid an assessment on a $5,000 life insurance/policy. . Ever since he failed in the drug business several years ago Mr. Walk has been despondent "Hoosier State Chronicles" 30 May 1901 & 5 June 1901 (https://newspapers.library.in.gov )</ref>	May 1892	Sept 1894	Republ.
Dr Joseph H Heatwole<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	1894; 1896	July 1898	Republ.
Benjamin F Deahl<ref>Elected to fill unexpired term, then elec. To fill a full term, https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5174&context=ilj ; (1930) "Obituaries," Indiana Law Journal: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 16.</ref>	Filled Unexpired term (July 1898 – May 1900); 1900–1902	May 1902	Dem.
George Finely Alderman	5/1/1902	May.1904	Dem.
Alfred Lowry<ref>Year Book for the State of Indiana https://worldcat.org/en/title/11801547</ref>	1/1/1904	Dec. 1906	Republ.
Charles Kohler	1/1/1906	Dec. 1908	Dem.
Samuel Franklin Spohn	1/1/1909	Dec. 1918	Dem.
Daniel Jackson "DJ" Troyer	Jan. 1918	Apr. 1919	Republ.
William Herbert Charnley<ref>The Michigan Alumnus, Volume 43 1936; Hardwood Record, Volume 43 Hardwood Company, 1917 - Forests and forestry;</ref>	Apr. 1919	Dec. 1918	Republ.
George R. Rimpler	Jan. 1922	Dec. 1925	Dem.
John Orrien Abshire	Jan. 1926	Dec. 1929
Clell Eugene Firestone	Dec. 1930; 1934	Dec. 1938	Dem.
Gordon Douglas Pease	Jan. 1938	Dec. 1942	Republ.
Frank S. Ebersole<ref>The Ebersol Families in America – 1727-1937. Lansing, MI, 1937</ref>	Jan. 1943	Dec. 1947	Republ.
Rollin Richard Roth Sr	Jan. 1948	Dec. 1955	Republ.
Ray Bernard Messick	Jan. 1956–59	Dec. 1963
Ralph Bowman Schenk	Jan. 1964; 1968;	Dec. 1975	Republ.
Steven Regis Chisick	Jan. 1976	Dec. 1979	Dem.
Max Ronald Chiddister	Jan. 1980	Dec. 1987	Republ.
Michael S. Puro	Jan. 1988	Mar.1997	Dem.
Allan J. Kauffman	Apr. 1997	Dec. 2015	Dem.
Jeremy P. Stutsman	Jan. 2016	Jun. 2023	Dem.
Gina M. Leichty	Jun. 2023		Dem.