Page Contents for Peru, Indiana

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

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Statistics & Facts

The Indiana state capital is Indianapolis.
The population of Peru is approximately 12,843 (1990), 11417 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 5,732 (1990), 4791 (2010).
The amount of land area in Peru is 10.031 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.112 sq kilometers.
The distance from Peru to Washington DC is 512 miles.
The distance to the Indiana state capital is 67 miles. (as the crow flies)
Peru is positioned 40.75 degrees north of the equator and 86.06 degrees west of the prime meridian.

History & History Related Items

For historical inforamtion on the local Miami Indians, please click on historical events in the index.
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Attractions

Every year we have a circus in July, we have been named the Circus City Capitol of the World. The acts are done by kids from the age of 6-18.

We have preformed for the Prince of Monte Carlo,and have performed the acts around the world

NOTED NOTABLES
Birthplace of noted composer and musician, Cole Porter
Born 9 June 1891 Died 15 October 1964
See his biography He is buried in the local Mount Hope Cemetery.
Return to Index

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Peru Historical Events

1685 to present
The Miami Indians of Indiana
The Miami Indians of Indiana are headquartered here. Portions of the Tribe have lived in the Peru area prior to their contact with the French in 1685. The proper name of the tribe was Ou-Mi-am-ik. Popularized by whites as Mi-am-ia or Miami as they are known today. The "Circus City" was originally established by the fact that failed native farmers were not eligible for employment (until 1945) in the United States. Necessity dictated that they find a means of income. The ever resourceful Miami began boarding Circus animals for the three main circuses. This is how "Squah Town" or "Port Miami" became known for housing circus animals. The city was to be named after John "Bull" Mongosa, a member of the original Chiefly line of the Miami proper. Instead the county was named after his people. Many locals believe that it was due to his heroism in a flood during the early 1800's, however it was due to his kindness to all. He was the #6 hunter in his tribe and spent his days carving flutes and whistles for all of the local children. His kindness touched everyone near him. He was a direct descendant of Chief Turtle. His tribe had given the longest and fiercest resistance to the white inhabitation of the United States. The Miami people would sign 18 treaties and retire 7 U.S. Generals. The tribe still holds communal events, ceremonies, pow-wows nearby and holds land as a collective people. To learn about the ongoing project to revive these people's language, check this site. For more information on the tribe please see this site

Peru Chamber

Peru-Miami County Chamber of Commerce
13 East Main Street
Peru, IN 46970
Email

Peru Community Events

2nd Saturday of June each year
Cole Porter Festival
Place: Peru, Indiana
Time: 9:00 am to 6 pm
Sponsored by: Miami County Historical Society, Inc.
Cole Porter music is featured throughout the day beginning in the morning at the Anglican Catholic church that owns one of the Cole family pianos on which Mr. Porter practiced. More music in the afternoon at the Miami County Museum. There are Cole Porter Historical bus tours, a classic car show, craft vendors, a children's art show.

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4th weekend of August each year
Heritage Days
Place: Miami County Fair Grounds, Peru, Indiana
Time: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm each day
Sponsored by: Miami County Historical Society, Inc.
Heritage Days is held every year to celebrate Miami County's early history. The event is three days and includes historical re-enactments, a living history village, antique tractors, tractor pulls, musical entertainment throughout the three days, fiddling contest, children's activities, crafts and other vendors, fine arts and needlework exhibits, mounted rider exhibitions and food.

Peru Organizations

Peru-Miami County Chamber of Commerce
13 East Main Street
Peru, IN 46970
Email