West Point, Indiana

West Point (sometimes shown as Westpoint[2]) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.[3] The population was 594 at the 2010 census.

West Point, Indiana
Census-designated place
Looking east along Jefferson Street
Location of West Point in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 40°20′42″N 87°2′35″W
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyTippecanoe
TownshipWayne
Area
 • Total53.6 sq mi (138.8 km2)
 • Land53.5 sq mi (138.6 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation673 ft (205 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total594
 • Density6.9/sq mi (2.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
47992
Area code(s)765
GNIS feature ID445856, 2583475

The community is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
West Point in 1878.

West Point is located at 40°20′42″N 87°2′35″W (40.345036, -87.043066) along State Road 25 at an elevation of approximately 673 feet. The town is in Wayne Township and sits about a quarter of a mile north of Flint Creek which flows west to the Wabash River.

A village named Glen Hall existed on the north side of West Point in the 19th century; though still populated, the site is now generally considered part of West Point. Additionally, residents of the former town of Granville are listed using West Point addresses.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

History

The town was platted in 1833 by Samuel Kiser.[5] It was founded as Middleton, but residents changed the name of the town to West Point.[6]

The West Point post office has been in operation since 1836.[7]

Economy

Most residents of West Point are employed outside of the main portion of the town with agriculture and businesses in Lafayette and West Lafayette. There are a number of equestrian centers and horse barns with close ties to the town. West Point is well known in the Lafayette area for its only restaurant, Eddie Joe's Ice House, a tex-mex BBQ joint which replaced the former West Point Steakhouse. Martin's Body and Paint is an automotive repair shop located in the town. Cheesman Inc is a construction and contracting located centrally within West Point.

Religion

West Point is home to one church, West Point United Methodist. Another church was closed and converted to an antiques shop in the early 2010s.

There are several cemeteries and gravesites within the area. West Point Cemetery is the only one mainly located in the town.

Community

West Point has a growing level of community involvement, which primarily revolves around West Point Park (the former location of West Point High School, now demolished) and the West Point Volunteer Fire Department. Each year, the Volunteer Fire Department puts on a community fish fry to raise funds for equipment. Halloween is a special time and the entire community is involved in Light Up The Night, a designated night for costumes, food, and candy.

Education

West Point residents are served by Tippecanoe School Corporation. The town used to have a high school (home of the West Point Cadets), which was closed due to consolidation in 1956 when Southwestern HS consolidated West Point, Shadeland, Romney, Wea & Jackson. McCutcheon High School opened in 1972.[8] High school students now report to McCutcheon High School. Elementary and middle school students report to Mintonye Elementary School and Southwestern Middle School respectively.

References
  1. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  2. "USPS.com-Location Details". USPS.com. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  3. "West Point, Indiana". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  4. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  5. DeHart, R.P. "History of Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana From: Past and Present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana". Ray's Place. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  6. "Tippecanoe County Township Histories: Wayne Township". Tippecanoe County INGenWeb. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  7. "Tippecanoe County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  8. "Indiana High School consolidation database- by county". Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
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