Historical Markers and War Memorials in Winchester, Indiana
Winchester is the county seat for Randolph County
Winchester is in Randolph County
Randolph County(38) ► ADJACENT TO RANDOLPH COUNTY Delaware County(46) ► Henry County(38) ► Jay County(20) ► Wayne County(103) ► Darke County, Ohio(90) ►
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On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
Beginning in the early 1800s, pioneer settlers from Virginia, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina found this area of Randolph County particularly attractive. Prairie, marsh, and tree-lined land was cleared and drained, resulting in these early . . . — — Map (db m222243) HM
On Indiana Route 32, on the right when traveling west.
Born in Randolph Co. circa 1828 to Quaker family, Way was advocate for women’s rights and temperance. Founding member of Indiana Woman’s Rights Association, 1851; participant in “Whisky Riot” here, 1854; and nurse in Civil War. She revived
woman’s . . . — — Map (db m120249) HM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
Randolph County's contributions to the arts and sciences are truly remarkable. Poet James Whitcomb Riley's (1849-1916) grandparents lived near Ridgeville and passed away in Randolph County his parents also lived in the county before moving to . . . — — Map (db m222255) HM
On West Franklin Street west of South Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
During the early pioneer years of the county, transportation by foot horseback or by raft on the Mississinewa River and White River were the only sources of mobility. However, beginning in the early 1850s the planning for five railroads took . . . — — Map (db m222257) HM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
Beginning as early as the 1840s, Randolph County has played a leading role in promoting educational endeavors throughout east central Indiana, the state, and the nation. The Union Literary Institute, founded by members of the Society of Friends . . . — — Map (db m225007) HM
On South Main Street south of West Washington Street (a.k.a. State Rd. 32), on the right when traveling south.
Randolph County first in Nation with all Rural Consolidated High Schools
Lee L. Driver, School Superintendent
Lincoln (1st) • McKinley
Spartanburg • Lynn
Farmland • Parker
Jefferson • Saratoga
Ridgeville • Green
Stoney Creek . . . — — Map (db m31380) HM
On West Franklin Street west of South Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
Governor Isaac Gray (b. 1828) moved to Union City in 1855 where he became a merchant, Colonel, banker, lawyer and politician. He became Lt. Gov. in 1876 and then the 18th Gov. of Indiana (1880-81) In 1884 Gray was elected the 20th Gov. of Indiana . . . — — Map (db m222272) HM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
He was a lawyer, businessman, and descendant of the Goodrich family that settled in Randolph County in 1832. He served as Governor from 1917 to 1921, during which time he established many of the State's departments such as banking, highways and . . . — — Map (db m222247) HM
On State Road 32 at County Road N 100 E, on the right when traveling east on State Road 32.
Indiana laws passed 1897 - 1907 provided for abandonment of rural one-room schools; they were replaced with consolidated schools that offered graded curriculum, high school education, and athletics. Driver, Superintendent of Randolph County Schools, . . . — — Map (db m31326) HM
On South Main Street at West Washington Street (Indiana Route 32), on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
World-renowned American sculptor of the bronze figures on this monument was educated in Paris. His sculpture is displayed at Gettysburg and prominent museums. This monument dedicated July 21, 1892, is one of his finest works. — — Map (db m222286) HM
On West Franklin Street west of South Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
Randolph County's long and distinguished contributions to military action date back to the time of the nation's founding. Several Revolutionary War soldiers are buried in the county as well as soldiers who fought in the Battle of 1812. During the . . . — — Map (db m222274) HM
On West Franklin Street west of South Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
While it seems almost unfathomable today, 8,000 to 12,000 years ago the Randolph County of today was home to mastodons, woolly mammoths giant beavers, giant ground sloths, giant short-faced bears, and saber-toothed tigers. Fossil remains of these . . . — — Map (db m222276) HM
On West Washington Street (a.k.a. St. Rd. 32) at South Main Street, on the right when traveling east on West Washington Street (a.k.a. St. Rd. 32).
Established in 1818 and was split off the north end of Wayne County with Winchester made the County Seat. 1820 - 1825 the County included all Territory North to the Michigan Line. Until 1836, included Territory North to Allen County. The 1875 . . . — — Map (db m31376) HM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
The Indiana General Assembly authorized the formation of Randolph County from Wayne County in January 1818 to take effect in August 1818. Early historians contend that the county's name came from settlers who relocated from Randolph County, North . . . — — Map (db m225004) HM
On E. Washington Street (State Road 32) at S. East Street, on the right when traveling east on E. Washington Street.
(Side One)
When this meeting house was dedicated 1898, membership in Quarterly Meeting of Friends at Winchester was largest in the world. Migration of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) into this area began 1814 with the arrival . . . — — Map (db m69283) HM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
Randolph County was organized in 1818 two years after Indiana became a state. The county was named for Peyton Randolph, the 1st President of the Continental Congress. It stretched north
to the Michigan line and included all present counties in . . . — — Map (db m222250) HM
On East Union City Road, on the right when traveling east.
"We arrived at our Present place of abode on White River, Randolph County, Ind., on the 20th day of December, 1831 after a long and tedious journey. We arrived here without any Lives lost or Limbs broke, and that is all we can say." -Edmund . . . — — Map (db m98847) HM
On Indiana Route 32, on the right when traveling west.
Side A
Winchester Speedway is one of the most significant, historic short tracks in the United States. It opened in 1914 under the name Funk’s Speedway, and has held races continuously since. Known as the “World’s Fastest ½ . . . — — Map (db m138726) HM
On West Washington Street (State Road 32) at South Meridian Street, on the right when traveling east on West Washington Street.
( Front - Plaque )
1917 ― 1918
In honor of the World War Heroes of
Randolph County who made the Supreme
Sacrifice for their beloved Country.
( Row One )
Hershel W. Arens • Clarence W. Borror • Chauncey C. . . . — — Map (db m31464) WM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
In 1849 Union City was founded by Jeremiah Smith. The first railroad was established in 1853 and the population began to increase. In 1880 the discovery of natural gas brought a flood of people to the area. Education in the County has included the . . . — — Map (db m222811) HM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
Randolph County's religious roots reveal a deeply tolerant and progressive community. Beginning in 1814, members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) first worshiped collectively in the area. Other frontier believers worshiped before the preaching of . . . — — Map (db m222248) HM
Near West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
In addition to being the home of Indiana governors Isaac P. Gray (1828-1895) and James P. Goodrich (1864-1940), Randolph County has been the launching point for many other important state and national political and governmental leaders and jurists. . . . — — Map (db m222259) HM
On West Franklin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Franklin Street.
Established by Frank E. Funk (1887-1963) in 1914, the Winchester Race Track is the nation's second oldest on-going race track and its fastest one-half mile race track. In the early and middle years of the 20th century, Mill's Lake and Funk's Lake, . . . — — Map (db m225005) HM