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Copyright Kendallville Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
Flea
market attracts thousands to Shipshewana
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May through October, Shipshewana’s population
suddenly swells from a sedate 524 to a bustling 30,000 — almost doubling
the population of the county — as tourists from far and wide attend
the town’s flea market and auction.
Other attractions in the popular town include antique shops, home-style
restaurants and many craft stores. There are also carriage rides through
late fall, a live nativity in the winter, and the Menno-Hof Amish/Mennonite
museum open all year.
The town council and Retail Merchants Association work to keep the Shipshewana
area’s hometown atmosphere intact for area residents — many
of whom are Amish.
For example, the town has made headline news in recent years simply for
deciding to remaining “dry” and not allowing liquor licenses
for its businesses.
The town council is currently working to rezone the area with a mind toward
furthering business opportunities, while honoring and maintaining its
rural aspects.
More tourism information about the town’s government and tourist
activities is available on the Internet at http://www.shipshewana.com.
Among the features available through the site are a weekly e-mail list
about special promotions and sales from the town’s merchants.
HISTORY: Shipshewana was platted in 1889 but was not incorporated until
1916. The town was named for Chief Shipshewana of the Potawatomi tribe
that lived in the area.
The first land certificate was issued on July 17, 1835, although it is
said that the first white family moved to the area in 1831 before the
land was open to entry.
Shipshewana has a strong religious history. The first settlement of Amish
came to the area from Pennsylvania in 1844. They bought land which proved
profitable to them and they have stayed in LaGrange County. A German Baptist
(Dunkard) church was organized in 1854 and a Mennonite church was formed
about the same time.
POPULATION: 524.
GOVERNMENT: The town council is comprised of five members and meets in
the Wolfe Community Building at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday
of the month.
SERVICES: Volunteer fire department. Town water, storm drainage and sewer
services.
EDUCATION: Students attend Shipshewana-Scott Elementary School and Meadowview
Elementary School. Fifth through 12th grades attend Westview Junior-Senior
High School in Emma.
RECREATION: Wolfe Park in the downtown area has a playground and basketball
courts. Scott Mill Park is located on C.R. 550W and C.R. 700N, northwest
of Shipshewana. Shipshewana Community Park is under construction.
HEALTH: The town has two doctor’s office, two chiropractors and one
optometrist’s office. Also, one dentist’s office and a community
dental center serves the area. A full-service pharmacy is located downtown.
An EMS unit is stationed at the fire station.
BANKING: Farmers State Bank, Lake City Bank and Wells Fargo Bank have
branch offices in Shipshewana.
SHOPPING: Shipshewana’s business district is a shopper’s dream.
Located in the town are antique shops, clothing stores, a flea market,
toy stores, florist shops, glass shops and bakeries, to name only a few.
ACCESS: Shipshewana is directly accessible by U.S. 20, S.R. 5 and S.R.
120 and indirectly via S.R. 9, S.R. 15, and Interstate 80/90.
TAX RATE: The town’s tax rate is $3.0077 per $100 of assessed valuation.
UTILITIES: NIPSCO — electricity and natural gas; LaGrange County
R.E.M.C. — electricity; Sprint/United Telephone — telephone
service.
POLICE: Tom Fitch is the town marshal. For emergencies, call 911. Non-emergency
calls may be made to 768-4310 or the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department
at 463-7491.
FIRE: Emergencies only: 911; business calls: 768-7000. Keith Roth is the
fire chief.
EMS: Call 911 .
TOWN CLERK, TOWN MANAGER: Ruth Ann Downey is the town clerk. Norm Kauffmann
is the town manager. Their offices, which are in the Wolfe Community Building,
are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday- Friday. It may be reached at 768-4743.
POST OFFICE: Located on Main Street. Lobby hours: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., seven
days a week. Window hours: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
8 a.m.-noon, Saturday. 768-4172.
