Greenfield, Indiana

Apr 20, 2026 - 22:12
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Greenfield, Indiana

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← Previous revision Revision as of 16:41, 20 April 2026
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Early settlers built along the two creeks which flow south through [[Center Township, Hancock County, Indiana|Center Township]], which includes Greenfield. The first businesses were small [[gristmill]]s for grinding corn and wheat for settlers.
Early settlers built along the two creeks which flow south through [[Center Township, Hancock County, Indiana|Center Township]], which includes Greenfield. The first businesses were small [[gristmill]]s for grinding corn and wheat for settlers.


[[U.S. Route 40 in Indiana|U.S. Route 40]], the [[National Road]], was built through Hancock County around 1835. It was heavily traveled by wagon trains going west and livestock going to [[Cincinnati]]. In 1853, the first steam railroad was completed by the Indiana Central Railroad at the south edge of Greenfield. The railroad became part of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] system and later the [[Penn Central Transportation Company|Penn-Central]]. These tracks were removed in the 1980s.
[[U.S. Route 40 in Indiana|U.S. Route 40]], the [[National Road]], was built through Hancock County around 1835. It was heavily traveled by wagon trains going west and livestock going to [[Cincinnati]]. In 1851, the first steam railroad was completed by the Indiana Central Railroad at the south edge of Greenfield.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-05-08 |title=Greenfield |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/greenfield/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |language=en-US}} The railroad became part of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] system and later the [[Penn Central Transportation Company|Penn-Central]]. These tracks were removed in the 1980s.


Greenfield was incorporated as a town shortly after the railroad was completed in 1951. Greenfield's population continued to grow and Greenfield was incorporated as a city in 1876 with a population of 2,023.
Greenfield was incorporated as a town in 1850.{{Cite book |last=Hellmann |first=Paul T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=REtEXQNWq6MC |title=Historical Gazetteer of the United States |date=2006-02-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-94859-7 |language=en}}


During this time, Greenfield's population continued to grow. Greenfield was incorporated as a city in 1876 with a population of 2,023. The greatest single period of growth began in 1887 when [[natural gas]] was discovered in the area. Greenfield was a [[boomtown]] for 20 years, with the founding of manufacturing plants and other industries.
The greatest single period of growth began in 1887 when [[natural gas]] was discovered in the area.{{Cite web |title=Greenfield, Indiana News & History |url=https://americanews.com/city/greenfield-in.html |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=AmericaNews.com |language=en}} Greenfield was a [[boomtown]] for 20 years, with the founding of manufacturing plants and other industries.


A statue of [[James Whitcomb Riley]], which stands in front of the Hancock County Courthouse, was erected in 1918. It was purchased with money donated by school children from all over the United States. Each year, during the Riley Festival in October, the city's school children parade to the statue to place flowers around it.
A statue of [[James Whitcomb Riley]], which stands in front of the Hancock County Courthouse, was erected in 1918.{{Cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Maribeth |date=2025-11-19 |title=Back when |url=https://www.greenfieldreporter.com/2025/11/19/back-when-24/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=The Daily Reporter - Greenfield Indiana |language=en-US}} It was purchased with money donated by school children from all over the United States. Each year, during the Riley Festival in October, the city's school children parade to the statue to place flowers around it.


The [[Charles Barr House]], [[Greenfield Courthouse Square Historic District]], [[Greenfield Residential Historic District]], [[Lilly Biological Laboratories]], [[Lincoln Park School (Greenfield, Indiana)|Lincoln Park School]], and [[Riley Birthplace and Museum|James Whitcomb Riley House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].{{NRISref|version=2010a}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2011-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2011-12-23|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/12/11 through 12/16/11|publisher=National Park Service}}
The [[Charles Barr House]], [[Greenfield Courthouse Square Historic District]], [[Greenfield Residential Historic District]], [[Lilly Biological Laboratories]], [[Lincoln Park School (Greenfield, Indiana)|Lincoln Park School]], and [[Riley Birthplace and Museum|James Whitcomb Riley House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].{{NRISref|version=2010a}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2011-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2011-12-23|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/12/11 through 12/16/11|publisher=National Park Service}}
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[[Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation]] services the city of Greenfield and surrounding areas in central Hancock County. It consists of four elementary schools (Grades K - 3), two intermediate schools (Grades 4 - 6), one junior high school (Grades 7 - 8), and one high school (Grades 9 - 12). Greenfield Central Jr. High School was built in the late 2000s to accommodate Greenfield's rapidly growing population. Greenfield-Central High School also underwent renovation in 2011 and 2022.
[[Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation]] services the city of Greenfield and surrounding areas in central Hancock County. It consists of four elementary schools (Grades K - 3), two intermediate schools (Grades 4 - 6), one junior high school (Grades 7 - 8), and one high school (Grades 9 - 12). Greenfield Central Jr. High School was built in the late 2000s to accommodate Greenfield's rapidly growing population. Greenfield-Central High School also underwent renovation in 2011 and 2022.


;List of schools - Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation:
;List of schools - Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation
* Eden Elementary School
* Eden Elementary School
* Harris Elementary School
* Harris Elementary School
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