Vincennes, Indiana

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State of indiana showing Vincennes

The city of Vincennes is the county seat of Knox County, Indiana. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census.

The oldest town in Indiana, it was originally established in 1732 as a French fur trading post and named after François-Marie Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes. Called Fort Sackville by the British, it revolted in 1778, was put down by British soldiers from Detroit, then recaptured by George Rogers Clark on February 23, 1779. The episode was featured in the 1901 novel Alice of Old Vincennes by Maurice Thompson.

Vincennes was originally in the French colony of Louisiana, then the British colony of Canada, then the Illinois County of the Commonwealth of Virginia, then Knox County in the Northwest Territory, then the Indiana Territory.

Vincennes University is located here, as is Grouseland, home of President William Henry Harrison between 1803 and 1812, Vincennes being at that time capital of the Indiana Territory.

1923 and 1981 IHSAA State Basketball Champions. 2002 IHSAA State Baseball Champions.

The US Navy has named several ships in honor of Vincennes.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Famous residents past and present
4 Attractions
5 See also
6 External links

Geography

Vincennes is located at [38°40′42″N, 87°30′58″W] (38.678329, -87.516067)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.6 km² (7.2 mi²). 18.5 km² (7.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.97%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 18,701 people, 7,614 households, and 4,332 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,011.3/km² (2,620.3/mi²). There were 8,574 housing units at an average density of 463.6/km² (1,201.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.34% White, 3.28% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.

There were 7,614 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,289, and the median income for a family was $35,424. Males had a median income of $27,029 versus $20,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,993. About 15.0% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Famous residents past and present

Red Skelton (b.1913-1997), Comedian
Clint Barmes (b.1979) Baseball Player, Colorado Rockies
William Henry Harrison American President
Curtis Painter American Football Player, Purdue University
Alvy Moore (b. 1921-1997), Actor
Sarah Knox Taylor, wife of Jefferson Davis, daughter of Zachary Taylor

Attractions

George Rogers Clark Memorial

The Old Cathedral Library in Vincennes is the oldest library in Indiana.
Grouseland the mansion home of William Henry Harrison, 9th United States President.
Fort Knox II: Outline of the fort is marked for self-guided tours.
George Rogers Clark Memorial The memorial built for the war hero George Rogers Clark.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

External links