New Bethel
In 1825 Reuben Adams came from Kentucky to Indiana. He cleared land, built a cabin and moved his family, but he died the following year. His widow, Mary raised their eleven children In 1854 she had John Messinger lay out the town of New Bethel on a portion of her farmland. The name New Bethel came from nearby New Bethel Baptist Church, which had been founded in 1827.
Later, when the town of New Bethel sought to have a post office, the name had changed because there was already a similarly-named town in Indiana. The name Wanamaker was chosen to honor President Benjamin Harrisons postmaster general, John Wanamaker. The town was renamed in the late 1800s, but debate on the change continued for well over 50 years, as road signs and residents used both names.
Erected by Franklin Township Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.
Location. 39° 41.425′ N, 86° 1.081′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Franklin Township. It is at the intersection of South Franklin Road and Hemingway
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Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gallaudet Station: The Town That Never Happened (approx. Ό mile away); Interurban Rails (approx. 1.1 miles away); Big Run Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Anderson-Thompson House (approx. 2.4 miles away); Brookville Road (approx. 4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.6 miles away); Sarah T. Bolton (approx. 4.9 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Southport (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,016 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
