Country United States County Tipton GNIS feature ID 0454059 Area 90.18 km² Population 1,421 (2010) | State Indiana ZIP codes 46036, 46072, 46076 Elevation 263 m Local time Sunday 9:09 PM Area code 765 | |
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Weather 12°C, Wind E at 13 km/h, 62% Humidity | ||
Wildcat Township is one of six townships in Tipton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,421 and it contained 644 housing units.
Contents
- Map of Wildcat Township IN USA
- History
- Geography
- Natural environment
- Cities towns villages
- Adjacent townships
- Political districts
- Early history
- Today
- Roads and highways
- Airports and landing strips
- Cemeteries
- References
Map of Wildcat Township, IN, USA
History
It was originally part of the Miami Indian reservation until 1847, when the land was available for purchase by white settlers. However, the area had begun to be settled by white squatters as early as 1845. Early farmers traveled to Lafayette to sell farm animals like hogs. Wheat was sold in Peru and settlers traveled as far as Perkinsville to have access to a mill. The earliest religious congregation founded in the township was a Baptist one, in the mid 1800s.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 34.82 square miles (90.2 km2), of which 34.8 square miles (90 km2) (or 99.94%) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.052 km2) (or 0.06%) is water.
Natural environment
Historically, Wildcat Township is very flat. Prior to extensive white settlement, the area had forests with spicebush, dogwood, willow, elm, poplar, beech, sugar tree, ash, and linn. By the early 1900s, the majority of timber had been cut down. The soil is made of "deep, black vegetable mold," that sits on top of "impervious clay sub-soil" and is good for agriculture.
Cities, towns, villages
Adjacent townships
Political districts
Early history
The first school in the township was built near Mud Creek in 1848. David Decker was the first teacher. After three years the school was abandoned. A second school was built in Windfall. A former settlement, called Pierce, was the site of the first frame school. Public schools became available in the community after 1855.
Today
Students in Wildcat Township attend Tri-Central Community Schools.
Roads and highways
The first road in the township was surveyed in 1849. It traveled southwest through the township towards Tipton. In 1851, a second road was built in the northern part of the township, traveling east to west. By 1855 the township had an extensive roadway system for the time period.
Airports and landing strips
Cemeteries
The township contains these three cemeteries: Brookside, Salem and Wheeler.