Page Contents for Greenfield, Indiana

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Indiana state capital is Indianapolis.
The population of Greenfield is approximately 14,600 (2000), 20602 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 6,449 (2000), 7983 (2010).
The amount of land area in Greenfield is 15.903 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.06 sq kilometers.
The distance from Greenfield to Washington DC is 500 miles.
The distance to the Indiana state capital is 21 miles. (as the crow flies)
Greenfield is positioned 39.79 degrees north of the equator and 85.77 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Greenfield elevation is 865 feet above sea level.
Greenfield average annual rainfall is 39.4 inches per year
The average winter temperature is 34.5 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 85.9 degrees F.

Location

about fifteen miles east of Indianapolis with Interstate 70 and US 40 in parts of the city. Interstates 69 and 74 are also nearby.
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History & History Related Items

The first settlers to the area were lured here by the fertile land and abundant water as they built along the two creeks that run through the area. Grist mills for grinding grains were among the first businesses to spring up here. About 1835, the National Road, known as U.S. Highway 40, was built through the area and with it came a large amount of traffic. At the time, this amounted to covered wagons and livestock for the most part. By the early 1850's the Indiana Central Railroad came through. It later became the Penn-Central. After abandoning the routes, the rails were removed during the 1980s. Greenfield had been chosen the county seat of Hancock County on 11 April 1828, just weeks after the formation of the county. Due to its proximity to the railroad and its designation as the county seat, Greenfield continued to prosper. By 1876, it had incorporated and had a population of 2,023. When natural gas was discovered here in 1877, the greatest growth in Greenfield occurred, with the major growth lasting for over 20 years. In 1985, the city designated the downtown historic preservation area with codes to safeguard the historical buildings in this part of the city.

Here is a history page for Greenfield.
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Attractions

Riley Festival
312 E. Main Street, Suite C
Greenfield, IN 46140 Phone: 317-462-2141
Email
Held beginning the first Thursday in October each year.
The Riley Festival is to honor the birth of American Poet, James Whitcomb Riley with fun, crafts, food and family entertainment.

Hancock County 4-H Fair
Held during the second full week of July at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Greenfield.

Take a virtual tour of Greenfield.

NOTED NOTABLES
James Whitcomb Riley
This famous poet was born here. He said this of his hometown, "the best home outside of heaven."
Learn more about Riley at this site
There is a statue of James Whitcomb Riley in front of the County Courthouse. It was put up in 1918 from funds donated by children from all over the US.
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Greenfield City Government

City of Greenfield
10 S. State Street
Greenfield, IN 46140
Phone: 317-477-4310
Email

Greenfield is governed by a Mayor and a Common Council of seven members, each of whom serve a four-year term.
Greenfield is the county seat of Hancock County.

Greenfield Historical Events

1860's
Thomas Conant Tuttle
Greenfield had a steam-run sawmill which was supposed to be the first one built in Indiana. During the Civil War, he was a member of the Greenfield Regiment of men, but they were only called to fight in the raid on Morgan hill. He was a Major in this organization. He had a small farm in Greenfield. He was killed by a team of run away oxen in October of 1876. He was married to Elizabeth Frances Anderson. He also worked the river as a mate in his younger years in Cincinnati.

Greenfield Chamber

Greater Greenfield Chamber of Commerce
One Courthouse Plaza
Greenfield, Indiana 46140
Phone: 317-477-4188
Fax: 317-477-4189
Email

Greenfield Organizations

Greater Greenfield Chamber of Commerce
One Courthouse Plaza
Greenfield, Indiana 46140
Phone: 317-477-4188
Fax: 317-477-4189
Email

Greenfield Libraries

Hancock County Public Library
700 North Broadway
Greenfield, Indiana 46140
Phone: 317-462-5141

Greenfield Schools

Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation
Administration Center
110 West North Street
Greenfield, IN 46140
Phone: 317-462-4434 Greenfield

Miscellany

The population of Greenfield was: