Otwell is an unincorporated census-designated place in Jefferson Township, Pike County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.[2]

Otwell, Indiana
Location of Otwell in Pike County, Indiana.
Location of Otwell in Pike County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 38°27′24″N 87°05′45″W / 38.45667°N 87.09583°W / 38.45667; -87.09583
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyPike
TownshipJefferson
Named forRobert Otwell Brown
Area
 • Total1.79 sq mi (4.63 km2)
 • Land1.78 sq mi (4.62 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation499 ft (152 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total396
 • Density221.85/sq mi (85.67/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
47564
Area code(s)812, 930
FIPS code18-57384[3]
GNIS feature ID2629881[2]

History edit

Otwell was originally called Pierceville, being named after President Franklin Pierce, and under this name was laid out in 1855.[4] The name was changed to Otwell in 1864 by a popular petition of its residents. The name had to be changed when the post office came because there was already a Pierceville in Indiana.[4] The name Otwell is derived from the middle name of Robert Otwell Brown, the son of an early settler.[5]

A post office has been in operation at Otwell since 1864.[6]

Geography edit

Otwell is located along Indiana State Road 257 and is approximately 1 mile from Indiana State Road 56.

Education edit

Otwell has a public library, a branch of the Pike County Public Library.[7]

Otwell has a charter school which was established in 2017 after the local school corporation closed its elementary school. Otwell Miller Academy currently enrolls 88 students for the 2018/19 school year. Grace College sponsors the charter.

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2020396
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Otwell, Indiana
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ a b History of Pike and Dubois Counties, Indiana. Goodspeed Brothers. p. 356. ISBN 978-5-87521-222-2.
  5. ^ Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History. Indiana University Press. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-253-32866-3. ...Robert Otwell Brown, son of Dr. Perry Brown, who laid out the village.
  6. ^ "Pike County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  7. ^ "Hours of Operation". Pike County Public Library. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.