For a print edition, please contact the editor of our Special Publications, Jennifer Mertz.
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STORY INDEX Population of Indiana's
northeast counties Tracking railroads: Longtime area auto dealers have 'seen it all' Amish continue long-held
traditions Cars accelerate lives of Noble County residents The price of cars: How much did it cost to drive one off the lot? Electric Interurban connected area to Fort Wayne, beyond LaGrange residents rally to save historic brick streets U.S. 6, Ind. 3: Kendallville's routes to growth Agriculture ever-changing, advancing in Noble County Comparisons: How far did the dollar stretch? Growing onions, peppermint made 'scents' in early 1900s The Gaby farm: A changing culture impacts 4-H County fair continues to be a big social event Thriving through the times: Downtown Kendallville adapts to a century of changes Dekko's philanthropy remains a 'valuable resource' Rinkel family still at the wheel of Greenfield Hills Commerce nothing new to Shipshewana: Town thrives as one of fastest-growing tourist areas in state Making do during the Great Depression: Retired hatchery owner recalls tough times, bright moments Mill a 'Star' business in Ligonier: Firm has been grinding wheat into flour for 113 years Elmer E. McCray had a major impact on Kendallville Richard R. Cole has long legacy Female executive has seen many changes in workforce Working women: From assisting war effort to competing in global markets Wolcottville a center of commerce, industry in 1800s Mongoquinong area was early LaGrange County commercial center 'The cheapest hired hand we ever had.' Electricity made life brighter, easier down on the farm Monument company's history set in stone Historic Corn School dates back to 1906
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Commerce nothing new to Shipshewana Town thrives as one of fastest-growing tourist areas in state By WANDA YODER
SHIPSHEWANA - The town of Shipshewana, with its flea market and auctions, is one of the fastest-growing tourist attractions in Indiana. During peak Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the summer, the flea market attracts nearly 30,000 visitors, nearly doubling the population of LaGrange County. While it has not always been nearly as populous, the town has its origins in white men trading with natives, and has had a reputation for commerce ever since, with today's tourist boom being a natural outgrowth of those early transactions. In the early 1830s, the first white settlers of the present Newbury Township area in LaGrange County found it to be inhabited by tribes of North American Indians or "red men." A small band of Potawatomi Indians had chosen the area of the present Shipshewana Lake as the site for their campgrounds. The lake and nearby swamps and woodlands were sources for their livelihood. The huckleberry marshes, sugar maple trees, honey trees and other nuts and berries were sources to supplement the fish and small game to provide a steady food supply. There were ample reeds and rushes and skins for making baskets, bags and clothing. The chief of this small band of Indians was named Shipshewana, which means "to have a vision of a lion." The white newcomers named the town for the chief.
Extensive settlement of the Shipshewana area started around 1837, however the actual town of Shipshewana had its beginning in 1889 when Hezekiah Davis platted a portion of his farm on the east side of the road that is now known as Ind. 5. Shipshewana has slowly grown from its start in the time of Hezekiah Davis into a busy commercial center featuring a weekly livestock auction and flea market. Local farmers, many Amish and their families and out-of-town livestock brokers came to Shipshewana to buy and sell cattle and hogs every Wednesday and horses every Friday. At the beginning a few people brought household items, tools
and miscellaneous farm equipment to sell. These early sellers
and buyers carted their goods to the market, displayed them on
the bare ground or on improvised tables and bargained. As word spread, more and more sellers and buyers arrived every week. There were no official booths or roadways, the sellers parked next to each other in short rows. Thus the flea market expanded from just a few local sellers to a thriving commercial enterprise. Over the years local folks who sold surplus household and farm goods were replaced by "professional" flea market vendors who made their living working flea markets around the country. In place of surplus household goods they bought new merchandise from wholesalers. The coming of the Pumpkinvine Railroad brought another type of boom. A depot was built and a hotel was erected to accommodate people who came to the area to do business. Early enterprises included a chicken pickery, an apple drying plant, a dry goods store, grocery and a drug store. There were several boarding houses, a livery stable and as many as seven saloons. The last saloon to survive closed its doors about 1905 and to this day the town remains dry. As the years have gone by, the market has grown considerably. At one time visitors could cover the entire operation in about an hour. Today, visitors may spend all day at the flea market and not see everything on display. |
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