Martinsville, Indiana
| Martinsville, Indiana | |
|---|---|
| City | |
| City of Martinsville | |
Martinsville, Indiana
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| Nickname(s): "Goldfish Capital of the World" | |
 Location in the state of Indiana |
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| Coordinates: 39°25′24″N 86°25′26″W / 39.42333°N 86.42389°WCoordinates: 39°25′24″N 86°25′26″W / 39.42333°N 86.42389°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Morgan |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Shannon Kohl (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.51 sq mi (11.68 km2) |
| • Land | 4.49 sq mi (11.63 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) 0.44% |
| Elevation | 604 ft (184 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 11,828 |
| • Estimate (2015) | 11,831 |
| • Density | 2,634.3/sq mi (1,017.1/km2) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 46151 |
| Area code(s) | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-47448 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0438684 |
| Website | www |
Martinsville is a city in and the county seat of Morgan County, Indiana; the population was 11,828 at the 2010 United States Census.
Martinsville was founded in 1822. It is said to be named for John Martin, a county commissioner.
The Morgan County courthouse, completed in 1859, features a red brick and Italianate design, and is one of the few pre-Civil War courthouses in Indiana. Architect Isaac Hodgson designed the courthouse, and it was built by Perry Magnus Blankenship. Hodgson designed six Indiana courthouses including Jennings County (1859), Morgan County (1857), Henry County, Bartholomew County (1871), and his largest in Marion County, in Indianapolis.
In 1899, Eugene Shireman, a Martinsville entrepreneur, turned his swamp land into fisheries and started Grassyfork Fisheries. Once dubbed the "Goldfish Capital of the World", today Martinsville has several large fisheries that sell fish to many parts of the world. Shireman's actions changed the landscape of the Martinsville area, and his fisheries can be seen today throughout Shireman subdivision. Martinsville is also home to other fisheries.
From 1888 until 1968, visitors sought out the many artesian mineral water health spas (which were called sanitariums then) of Martinsville for health benefits. Over nearly 100 years, almost a dozen sanitariums were in operation for various periods of time, including the first black spa in Martinsville.
Albert Merritt (1871–1958), beloved founder of the Boy's Club in Martinsville, born near Bowling Green, was the son of former slaves. He came to Martinsville Mineral Springs Sanitarium in the 1890s from a job as a porter at the Sennings Hotel in Louisville, and lived at the sanitarium for the rest of his life, never marrying. He worked with the children of Martinsville for fifty years, building a clubhouse on North Marion Street. Merritt Park on the northwest end of town is named for Albert.
Visitors would travel by rail and road to bathe and refresh in the mineral springs and waters. Many luminaries visited Martinsville in the early 20th century to enjoy the mineral waters and spas for their perceived therapeutic and health restoring qualities. On top of what used to be the National Sanitarium a refurbished neon sign still displays "Martinsville City of Mineral Water" as it did before.
In 1892, the Old Hickory Furniture Company was formed. The Morgan County Public Library’s Digital Archive has a collection of photographs of Old Hickory furniture including some displays for Marshall Field & Co.
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