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Copyright Kendallville Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
Wolcottville’s
lake population swells in summer
The
town of Wolcottville sits on the southern border of LaGrange County. A
significant portion — that which sits south of C.R. 800S, commonly
known as County Line Road — is a part of Noble County .
Small and picturesque, with a winding creek running through the middle
of town, Wolcottville is the central business and shopping location for
the many year-round and summer residents on the Indian Lakes chain and
other rural residents of southern LaGrange County.
The lake chain consists of Dallas, Witmer, Westler, Atwood, Messick and
Hackenburg lakes and brings a population swell to the community in the
warm summer months.
The town is host to what is arguably the largest 4th of July celebration
in the county.
HISTORY: Wolcottville was settled in 1832 by two French traders sent from
Fort Wayne by a trading company. A small cabin was built, then a double
log building made of tamarack poles called the Tamarack House. Later,
a dam and sawmill were built near Tamarack House; a store and a grist
mill opened; and the first village in the area was settled.
George Wolcott arrived in Wolcottville in 1837 and built a log cabin.
In 1838 he built a saw mill that became quite well-known throughout the
area. In addition to the saw mill, Wolcott was engaged in milling, blacksmithing,
merchandising, farming and manufacturing potash. In all, he pursued seven
different occupations and employed as many as 20 men from the area. He
also started the first store in Wolcottville.
The town was named Wolcottville in his honor when it was laid out in 1848.
POPULATION: 933.
GOVERNMENT: The three-member town council meets the first Tuesday of each
month at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall.
SERVICES: Town water and sewer services are available.
EDUCATION: Elementary students attend Wolcott Mills Elementary School
(kindergarten through grade five) in town. Students in grades 6-12 attend
Lakeland Middle School and Lakeland High School in LaGrange.
RECREATION: Taylor Park south of town provides a playground, basketball
courts and a ball diamond. Wolcott Park is a natural area on S.R. 9 on
the north side of town. Field of Dreams, on the west side of town, was
recently completed and it includes two baseball fields, and a playground.
BANKING: There is a Farmers State Bank branch in Wolcottville.
SHOPPING: A variety of specialty shops line Main Street. Among those are
an antique mall, an office supply store, a trophy store, and two flower
shops.
ACCESS: S.R. 9 is the main street.
UTILITIES: NIPSCO — electricity and natural gas; LaGrange County
R.E.M.C. — electricity; Sprint — telephone service.
TAX RATE: The tax rate for Wolcottville property owners living in the
portion of the town in LaGrange County is 3.3069 cents per $100 of assessed
valuation.
POLICE: Town Marshal Ron Hoover may be reached by calling the LaGrange
County Sheriff's Department at 463-7491. Emergency only: 911.
FIRE: Johnson Township Volunteer Fire Department, 600 West County Line
Road, provides firefighting services for Wolcottville. The department’s
non-emergency telephone number is 854-4545. Emergency only: 911.
CLERK'S OFFICE: Town Hall, 104 W. Race St., 854-3151. Elisabeth Hodge
is the town clerk. The clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday through Friday and from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday.
POST OFFICE: The post office, which is located on Main Street, may be
reached by calling 854-2314. Counter service is available from 8 a.m.-1
p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8-11 a.m. Saturday. Lobby hours
are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday.
