Pence, Indiana

Unincorporated community and Census-designated place in Indiana, United States
40°21′49″N 87°30′46″W / 40.36361°N 87.51278°W / 40.36361; -87.51278CountryUnited StatesStateIndianaCountyWarrenTownshipJordanFounded1902Founded byFrank R. PenceArea • Total0.17 sq mi (0.4 km2) • Land0.17 sq mi (0.44 km2)Elevation689 ft (210 m)Population
 (2020)
 • Total41 • Density242.60/sq mi (93.56/km2)Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)ZIP code
47993
Area code765GNIS feature ID2806540[2]

Pence is a small unincorporated community in Jordan Township, Warren County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.[2]

History

Pence was founded in September 1902 by Frank R. Pence, who purchased 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land for the purpose. In 1903, Pence became the smallest town in the United States to have a central water system. In the early part of the 20th century, Pence had numerous businesses including a grain elevator, a blacksmith shop, a welding and machine shop, a lumber yard, a coal yard, the Bank of Pence (which closed in the 1920s), a hotel (which also housed the post office for a time), restaurants, a general store, grocery stores, a hardware store, a weekly newspaper, a funeral home, a jewelry store, and various others. As of 1913, the population was about 150.[3]

Pence had a baseball team from 1910 to 1955, and also had a basketball team (the Pence Aces).

The post office operated from October 12, 1903 to April 5, 1957.

Geography

Pence is located less than a mile east of the Indiana-Illinois state line and a quarter mile from Jordan Creek, which flows southwest toward the Vermilion River. It is on County Road 300 North, which (in Illinois) runs into the town of Rossville about 9 miles to the west.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
202041
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
  • Pence's 1902 plat
    Pence's 1902 plat
  • The corner of First and Jordan streets
    The corner of First and Jordan streets

References

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pence, Indiana
  3. ^ Clifton, Thomas, ed. (1913). Past and Present of Fountain and Warren Counties Indiana. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen and Company. p. 326.
  4. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  • Warren County Historical Society. A History of Warren County, Indiana (1966), pages 20–25.
  • Warren County Historical Society. A History of Warren County, Indiana (175th Anniversary Edition) (2002).
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Municipalities and communities of Warren County, Indiana, United States
County seat: Williamsport
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Map of Indiana highlighting Warren County
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‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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