Oolitic, Indiana | |
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Town | |
Location of Oolitic in the state of Indiana |
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Coordinates: 38°53′44″N 86°31′29″W / 38.89556°N 86.52472°WCoordinates: 38°53′44″N 86°31′29″W / 38.89556°N 86.52472°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Indiana |
County | Lawrence |
Township | Indian Creek, Shawswick |
Area | |
• Total | 0.78 sq mi (2.02 km2) |
• Land | 0.78 sq mi (2.02 km2) |
• Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
Elevation | 600 ft (183 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 1,184 |
• Estimate (2012) | 1,182 |
• Density | 1,517.9/sq mi (586.1/km2) |
Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
• Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
ZIP code | 47451 |
Area code(s) | 812 |
FIPS code | 18-56682 |
GNIS feature ID | 0451301 |
Oolitic is a town in Indian Creek and Shawswick townships, Lawrence County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,184 at the 2010 census.
Oolitic was platted on March 23, 1896, by the Bedford Quarries Company. It was incorporated in 1900. In 1910, its population was 1,079; in 1914 it had risen to about 2,000.Oolite is a type of limestone found in Indiana.
Oolitic is the site of a limestone statue of comic-strip boxer Joe Palooka, moved there from Bedford in 1984.
Oolitic is located at 38°53′44″N 86°31′29″W / 38.89556°N 86.52472°W (38.895513, -86.524696).
According to the 2010 census, Oolitic has a total area of 0.78 square miles (2.02 km2), all land.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Oolitic has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
The town is built upon oolitic limestone, which gives the town's name. The town was founded for the purpose of quarrying this material, for building purposes.
Oolitic was originally platted as "Limestone" on September 26, 1888. In 1896, the name was sent to Washington, D.C., to allow a post office to be established. The request was refused because of a town already named Limestone, Indiana. Doctor R. B. Short suggested using "Oolitic", and Oolitic became incorporated on November 4, 1901. The word Oolitic was used as an adjective for Oolitic limestone (derived from the Greek word oolite, meaning eggs and stone). Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and quartz, along with the small shells and eggs left behind when this area was covered by an inland sea. Found immediately north of Oolitic are some of the largest Limestone quarries in the world, many of them in continuous operation since the 1830s. Many famous buildings are built of Oolitic Limestone. Probably the most famous is the Empire State Building. Visitors can see the "Empire Hole," about 1/2 mile north of Oolitic