Borden, Indiana
| Borden, Indiana | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
| Town of Borden | |
Downtown Borden
|
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| Nickname(s): Scenic Valley | |
 Location in the state of Indiana |
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| Coordinates: 38°28′14″N 85°56′49″W / 38.47056°N 85.94694°WCoordinates: 38°28′14″N 85°56′49″W / 38.47056°N 85.94694°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Clark |
| Township | Wood |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2) |
| • Land | 1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 561 ft (171 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 808 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 830 |
| • Density | 581.3/sq mi (224.4/km2) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 47106 |
| Area code | 812 |
| FIPS code | 18-06634 |
| GNIS ID | 431353 |
| Website | www |
Borden is a town in Wood Township, Clark County, Indiana, United States. The population was 808 at the 2010 census. The town's official name was New Providence until December 29, 1994.
The town was founded in 1816 by Rhode Islander John Borden and was originally named New Providence, after the Rhode Island capital of Providence. William W. Borden (1823–1906), son of John Borden, was a scholar, philanthropist and distinguished citizen of New Providence and earned his wealth in the Leadville, Colorado, silver mines, becoming one of Clark County's wealthiest citizens.
In 1884, the Borden Institute was founded by William W. Borden as a college for teacher preparation and laboratory-based scientific studies. He also established within the town a library and a museum with an extensive geological collection that later became an important and valuable collection in Chicago's Field Museum following his death. His final crown jewel within the community was his elaborate family mansion situated on a hill overlooking the town. The town honored William W. Borden by unofficially renaming the town and post office Borden because of his generosity and influence within the community his father founded. The Borden Institute closed in 1906 and around 1910 became used as William W. Borden High School, or simply Borden High School. The Institute served this purpose until 1955 when a new elementary and Jr-Sr High School were built adjacent to the Institute. The museum still stands and houses some of the original books from the Borden Library and is currently used as a community center. The Borden Mansion also still stands and has been occupied by the Emil Stark family since the early 1970s. Following its use as a high school, the Borden Institute fell into disrepair and was razed in 1983 even after a decade long effort by citizens to preserve it.
Borden is served by the CSX (formally Monon) rail system and was once one of the main loading points for carloads of strawberries shipped by The Borden-Pekin Berry Growers Association north along the Monon Rail. The large volume of strawberries supplied by the area farmers influenced the naming of the athletic teams at Borden High School. The teams were nicknamed the Borden Berries in 1934 and the name was used until 1966 when it was changed by the student body to the Borden Braves. Strawberries continue to be farmed in the Borden area, especially in nearby Starlight, Indiana where the Starlight Strawberry Festival is held each Memorial Day weekend.
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