Community Profiles
LaGrange County
Howe
LaGrange
Shipshewana
Topeka
Unincorporated
Towns
Brighton
Emma
Honeyville
Stroh
South Milford
Ontario
Wolcottville
Community Directory
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Business Organizations
Clubs & Organizations
Churches
County Schools
Government
Health & Human Services
Festivals
Parks & Recreation
Emergency
Numbers
LaGrange County Map
KPCNews.com
Copyright Kendallville Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
Courthouse,
library highlight LaGrange’s architecture
The
crossroads of LaGrange County is its geographical center and also its
county seat, namely the town of LaGrange.
The town itself sits at another crossroads — that of S.R. 9 and U.S.
20.
The historic LaGrange County Courthouse, which saw a recent renovation
to its upper half, its new golden dome gleaming brightly, dominates downtown
LaGrange and sits near six blocks of salvaged historic brick streets.
The Carnegie Library on the corner of High and Spring streets is considered
by many a piece of architectural history. The library board is currently
looking into an expansion and relocation but recently decided that, whatever
happens to the old building, the Carnegie facade should remain.
The town is also known for a large historic mural painted on the side
of a prominent business building on the corner of S.R. 9 and Spring Street.
The sepia-tone mural was painted in 1998 by town resident Maurice Marks.
Churches in the town include those for Assembly of God, Baptist, Church
of Christ, Church of God, Full Gospel, Lutheran, Mennonite, Missionary,
Nazarene, Presbyterian and United Methodist denominations. Also, there
is a Catholic Church in LaGrange and several ministries for the Hispanic
residents of the county.
The town also recently saw the opening of Centro Vida, a community home
base for serving the needs of the Hispanic population.
A new, expanded county jail, “really more of a small prison than
just a county jail,” according to Sheriff Greg Dhaene, opened about
two years ago on the southern edge of town and has been a source of revenue
for the county.
Also, Lakeland High School has become the center of many of the town and
county’s athletic and civic events with public indoor exercise, community
room and media center opportunities.
The town is the annual scene of the LaGrange County 4-H Fair; a major
steam and gas engine show; Corn School, an October street fair; and Liberty
Days, a July weekend celebration of freedom and local culture, featuring
a large parade.
Also, a new organization, Viva LaGrange!, is focused on promoting and
expanding the downtown business area.
HISTORY: LaGrange was platted on June 18, 1836, by Rueben J. Dawson, William
F. Beavers, George F. Whittaker and James McConnell.
When the land was platted for the town, a section was laid out for a public
square. The area was covered with a dense forest and underbrush. One of
the first orders of the commissioners was to clear the area. It proved
to be an unwise decision because the square had to be replanted with trees
so residents could have shade while enjoying activities on the public
square. Today, the LaGrange County Courthouse sits on the site.
The county seat was in Lima, now Howe, when the first courthouse was built
in 1833. Since LaGrange was the geographical center of the county, it
became the logical choice for the new county seat in 1843.
POPULATION: Approximately 3,000.
GOVERNMENT: LaGrange’s five-member Town Council meets the first and
third Monday of the month. The meetings begin at 7 p.m.
SERVICES: Town water and sewer service are provided. The approximately
30-member LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department serves the town. Four full-time
officers and a number of reserves make up the town’s police force.
EDUCATION: Lakeland School Corp. has its administrative offices at 200
S. Cherry St. The school district consists of three elementary schools
— Parkside, Wolcott Mills, and Lima-Brighton; Lakeland Middle School;
and Lakeland High School.
RECREATION: LaGrange has a Town Park that includes a new playground, a
baseball diamond and basketball and tennis courts. The LaGrange County
4-H Fairgrounds are at the northeast edge of town. The annual 4-H Fair
is held there every July and the annual Gas and Steam Show is held there
in August. Corn School is an annual October street fair. There is an 18-hole
golf course west of town. Also, the Maple Wood Nature Center, which attracts
thousands to an annual Maple Syrup Days Festival every March, sits about
four miles east and one mile south of town.
HEALTH: Eight physicians, three optometrists, a chiropractor and five
dentists have practices in LaGrange. There are two full-service pharmacies
(one in the CVS drug store and one at Millers Super Valu) and two veterinary
clinics. LaGrange Community Hospital serves the area’s medical needs
and provides air ambulance services to Michigan and Fort Wayne hospitals.
LaGrange County’s Emergency Medical Service is based at LaGrange
Community Hospital. There are two specialized health care facilities,
Miller’s Merry Manor and Life Care Center of LaGrange.
BANKING: Farmers State Bank, Lake City Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Peoples
Federal Savings Bank have offices in LaGrange.
ACCESS: At the intersection of S.R. 9 and U.S. 20.
TAX RATE: LaGrange residents pay $2.9802 per $100 of assessed valuation.
A few residents who live in Clay Township (west of Townline Road/C.R.
00EW) pay 2.9781 per $100 of assessed valuation.
UTILITIES: NIPSCO — electricity and natural gas; LaGrange County
R.E.M.C. — electricity; Sprint/United Telephone — telephone
service.
POLICE: The town marshal is Oscar Blowers. For emergencies, call: 911;
for business calls, 463-7491.
FIRE: Mark McClish is the fire chief. The fire station is located on South
High Street. For emergencies, call 911. For business calls, 463-3241.
EMERGENCIES ONLY: 911
TOWN CLERK: Town Hall, South High Street, 463-3241. Michael Rowlison is
the town clerk.
LIBRARY: The LaGrange County Library is located at 203 W. Spring St.,
463-2841. Open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday,
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
POST OFFICE: The post office is on South Detroit Street. Lobby hours are
7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Window service hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday and 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday. Postmaster Randy Rohrer
may be reached at 463-2844.
