Taylorville, Indiana

Unincorporated community in Indiana, United States

39°27′45″N 87°25′25″W / 39.46250°N 87.42361°W / 39.46250; -87.42361CountryUnited StatesStateIndianaCountyVigoTownship Sugar CreekArea

^[1]

• Total0.15 sq mi (0.39 km²) • Land0.15 sq mi (0.39 km²) • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km²)Elevation

^[2]

469 ft (143 m)Population

(2020)

• Total38 • Density251.66/sq mi (97.24/km²)Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)ZIP code

47885

Area code(s)812, 930FIPS code18-18658GNIS feature ID444608

Taylorville, also known as Taylorsville or Dresser, is an unincorporated community in eastern Sugar Creek Township, Vigo County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.^[3] It is part of the Terre Haute metropolitan area. Though the United States Board on Geographic Names has officially designated the area as Taylorville, the 2010 United States Census considered the area a census designated place called Dresser.^[4]

History

Taylorville was founded in 1908, and was named after a local farmer named Taylor.^[5] A post office was established under the name Dresser in 1932, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1935.^[6] Residents use the names Taylorville and Dresser interchangeably.^[7]

Taylorville has historically had a reputation of being extremely poor and insular. A 1930s history of the village described it as “a breeding ground for all that was repugnant to American standards.”^[8] Residents of Taylorville have recalled being bullied as children for being from the village. Residents do acknowledge that the village is extremely close-knit but also say they are simply independent and keep to themselves.^[7]^[8]

Taylorville has declined in population in recent decades. The village is located in a floodplain and acquiring a permit to build a home in the village is difficult.^[7] As of 2013, Vigo County officials were attempting to purchase properties in Taylorville in an effort to remove residents from flood-prone residences. This plan has been met with resistance from Taylorville residents.^[8]

Geography

Taylorville is located at 39°27′45″N 87°25′25″W / 39.46250°N 87.42361°W / 39.46250; -87.42361 at an elevation of 591 feet. Located very near the Wabash River, the town is nestled between Terre Haute and West Terre Haute.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
2010	104	—
2020	38	−63.5%
U.S. Decennial Census^[9]

As of the 2010 Census, the CDP of Dresser had 104 residents. All 104 residents were White and the median age was 38 years old.^[10]

References

^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
^ "Taylorville, Indiana". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
^ "Dresser Census Designated Place". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
^ Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History. Indiana University Press. p. 320. ISBN 978-0-253-32866-3. ...was named in 1908 for a farmer called Captain Taylor.
^ "Vigo County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c McKee, Deb. "A look at the history behind the village of Taylorville". www.tribstar.com. Tribune-Star. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c Foulkes, Arthur. "Dresser: A town disappearing". www.tribstar.com. Tribune-Star. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
^ "U.S. Census website". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2020.