KOSCIUSKO COUNTY —In January of 1966 the Kosciusko County Historical Society was formed. One hundred sixty-five persons attended the first meeting held at the courthouse.  From that beginning 50 years ago, the society has grown to nearly 500 members and has become the caretaker of the Old County Jail (now a museum), the Chinworth Bridge (Greenway Trailhead), and the Pound Store in Oswego (oldest commercial building in county).   But the society does not only preserve historical sites, it also is the caretaker of the official county records, and business, family and personal histories.

South Street (now Winona Avenue) so called from the fact that it was the town’s southern-most street. Baker Street derived its name from the fact that the tract traversed by that street was pre-empted from the government by Abner Baker, one of the very earliest settlers of this region.

Market Street thus named because early settlers are said to have had in mind a project to provide a market space on this street for farmers who brought their produce to town for sale.

Main Street is said to have been the first regular thoroughfare established when the original plat of the village of Warsaw came into being. Upon it were located the principal stores, post office, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, harness shop, shoe shop, etc. The tavern, that stood on the site now occupied by the library parking lot, was known as the “Shot Tower,” from the fact that the upper story of the structure is said to have been provided with numerous small openings through which guns could be thrust and fired by those within in case of attack by Indians.

Fort Wayne Street derives its name from the fact that in pioneer days the eastern portion of the street was known as the Fort Wayne Road, all of the travel between Warsaw and Fort Wayne being directed over that road via Oswego and what is to this day known in the city of Fort Wayne as the Leesburg road. Originally the triangular thoroughfare called Fort Wayne Avenue was a part of Fort Wayne Street. 

Clark Street derives its name from S. B. Clark, for many years one of Warsaw’s most highly respected citizens. Canal Street formerly paralleled the Canal, which years ago, was constructed as a waterway to connect Center and Pike Lakes-hence its name. Porter Street takes its name from one of the pioneer families. The naming of Pike Street is credited to a member of the Philpott family who owned much of the land in that vicinity. He was an enthusiastic fisherman and the story is told that near the point where the street met the lake great quantities of fish of the pike variety were unusually abundant.

Perry Street was named in honor of Commodore Perry, who so heroically defeated the British forces in the memorable battle on Lake Erie during the war of 1812.  Arthur Street, is named in honor of former president Chester A. Arthur. McClellan Street was named in honor of General George B. McClellan, of Civil war fame. Segal Street also derives its name from a Civil War officer. Hackleman and Banks streets are also name for Civil War officers. Hendricks and Durbin streets are named in honor of Thomas A. Hendricks and Winfield T. Durbin, both former governors of Indiana.

Lyon Street was named in memory of an early settler. Ellsworth and Gilliam streets were likewise named in honor of pioneers. Pope Street was named for a pioneer resident who conducted a general store on Lake and Market streets. Ellsworth, Brubaker, Glessner, Biggs, Frazer, Hitzler, Alward, Simons, Webber, Oldfather, Widaman, Phillipson, Wood and Park Avenue, are all named for prominent Warsaw families.

Roosevelt, Taft and Adams, were named respectively for former presidents. In the southwest part of the city known as Prospect Hill streets were designated as Logan, Wilson, Wheeler and Harding, all derived from former presidents, vice president and governors.  Morton Street is named for Indiana’s Civil War Governor Oliver P. Morton.

Godman Street was named to commemorate the memory of J. V. Godman, a former city engineer, who lost his life in a sewer tragedy in 1904.

Ellsworth, Brubaker, Glessner, Biggs, Frazer, Hitzler, Alward, Simons, Webber, Oldfather, Widaman, Phillipson, Wood and Park Avenue, are all named for prominent Warsaw families.

The Kosciusko County Historical Society has two books published for its 50th anniversary, “That’s Life and Schools of Kosciusko County, 1835-1975.” “That’s Life” contains short stories of interesting people, places and events in the county and is available at the Old Jail Museum for $18.16. “Schools of Kosciusko County, 1835-1975” will be available in September for $37.50 plus tax (Pre-order your book now. Supplies are limited). Contact the society for more information, (574)269-1078.

From an article in Warsaw Daily Times by Edwin Aborn, June 29, 1932

Read the first part of this article here.