Hazleton, Indiana

History

Hazleton is the second-oldest town in Gibson County after Patoka. It was named in honor of Gervas Hazleton, the second settler in the county to permanently locate, after John Severns. Hazleton first lived in a "camp," the back of which was an immense walnut log and sides of poles covered with bark, the front open to admit the heat and light of large log fires. Hazleton eventually operated a ferry on the White River. His remains are buried in the IOOF Hazleton cemetery.

The town of Hazleton was surveyed and platted by Lucius French in 1806. T. S. Fuller erected the first frame building in Hazleton. In about John Breedlove built a blacksmith shop. Being located on the south bank of White River, the town became a port in the days of flat and keel-boats.

The highway of travel was via the Patoka, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers and five or six weeks were required to make the round trip. A complement of five men was the usual number required with each boat. The first steamboat of any note to pass up White River was the "Cleopatria".

Hazleton Railroad Wreck of 1897

One of the worst wrecks in the history of southern Indiana occurred on the Evansville & Terre Haute road, now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, at 3:00 a.m., March 10, 1897. Fast train No. 5 southbound, was wrecked at the high embankment forming the southern approach to the White River bridge about two miles (3 km) north of the town of Hazelton.

Geography

Hazleton is located at 38°29′20″N 87°32′30″W (38.488953, -87.541652). Hazleton is 422 feet (129 m) above sea level.

According to the 2010 census, Hazleton has a total area of 0.33 square miles (0.85 km²), all land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 263 people, 108 households, and 78 families residing in the town. The population density was 797.0 inhabitants per square mile (307.7/km²). There were 120 housing units at an average density of 363.6 per square mile (140.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 2.3% African American, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 108 households of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.8% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the town was 44.9 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 35.3% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 288 people, 108 households, and 84 families residing in the town. The population density was 841.0 people per square mile (327.1/km²). There were 119 housing units at an average density of 347.5 per square mile (135.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.22% White, and 2.78% from two or more races.

There were 108 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the town, the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $36,406. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,156. About 25.0% of families and 25.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 12.5% of those sixty five or over.