Welcome to Key to the City's page for
Southport
Marion County,
Zip Code
"Home of the Cardinal"
The Indiana state capital is Indianapolis.
What would you like to know about Southport
Statistics & Facts
History & History-related items
City Attractions
Southport Government
Southport Libraries.
Southport Schools.
Zip Codes
46217, 46227, 46237
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Statistics & Facts
The population of Southport is approximately 1,969.
The approximate number of families is 767.
The amount of land area in Southport is 1.661 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Southport to Washington DC is 518 miles. The distance to the Indiana state capital is 8 miles. (as the crow flies)
Southport is positioned 39.65 degrees north of the equator and 86.11 degrees west of the prime meridian.
The city bird is the Cardinal.
The Southport city color is Red and White.
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History & History Related Items
Southport history: " She's laying to - she can't weather the first port south. Run up the sails, boy." Something like this was supposed to have been said by a seaman riding in an overland schooner. The old sea dog was traveling from Indianapolis to Louisville when the schooner stopped to take on a cargo of corn in the early 1800's. Thus giving Southport its name. Southport was established in 1832. In 1853, Southport was one of the first communities to be incorporated in Marion County. Southport went from being a town to a city in 1969, when it chose to be one of the excluded cities within the Unigov system. Like Beech Grove, Lawerence and Speedway, it retained its own mayor, city council and police department.
Jacob Smock was the first settler in Southport and started a farm in this area. He also built one of the earliest grist mills in Perry Township on Buck Creek. During the late 1800's and early 1900's, Buck Creek was the place to be seen on Sunday afternoon. The Society of that era would come to Buck Creek by horse and buggy to picnic along the banks of the creek. Today our Southport Park along Buck Creek is still a gathering place for picnics and family gatherings.
The town grew slowly through the 19th century; its population in 1880 was only 388. Railroad crossings on the southern edge of Indianapolis made travel to the south side difficult until tracks were elevated in the 1920's. Following this change and the introduction of the INTERURBAN, residents in Southport could commute to jobs in Indianapolis and the town gained a number of new inhabitants. The enlargement of Madison Avenue in the 1960's further increased accessibility to the south side. In 1960 Southport population was 892; by 1980 it was 2,266. Southport is a city of single - family dwellings; the housing stock in the city dates primarily from the 1960's and 1970's, although some historic homes remain. There are few businesses within the city limits and most residents work outside its borders. Southport's 1993 population was approximately 2,300.
Being a "crossroads area". Southport has been a busy and changing city with an interesting history. For example: Mary Bryan was the first woman to cross the Cumberland Gap in the movement west. The Bryan's settled in the area and started the Presbyterian Church here. Mary Bryan is buried in the old Southport Cemetery.
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Attractions
Southport attractions: Message from the Mayor:
"A nice community in which to live." I hear this quite often and not just locally, but also when I visit other cities and towns around the state. It seems as though Southport has kept that small town friendly atmosphere while being in the midst of the large city of Indianapolis. Being small, we're able to serve the citizens on an individual basis. We believe families and their children will be happy living here ad it is a safe and pleasant environment.
Southport has medical facilities, good schools, all kinds of shopping and services nearby. Our Southport Park And Playground provides a good place for adults and children to enjoy. Many use our community room for reunions and parties. We Hope you enjoy the hospitality that Southport has to offer. Welcome to the best place in southern Marion County. Nannette Tunget
Mayor of Southport (1999)
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