Jeffersonville is a city in and the county seat of Clark County, Indiana, United States, situated along the Ohio River. Locally, the city is often referred to by the abbreviated name Jeff. It lies directly across the Ohio River to the north of Louisville, Kentucky, along I-65. The population was 49,447 at the 2020 census.

Jeffersonville began its existence as a settlement around Fort Finney after 1786 and was named after Thomas Jefferson in 1801, the year he took office.

History

thumb|Statue at [[Warder Park honoring Thomas Jefferson]]

thumb|Spring Street is the main shopping area in downtown.

18th century

Pre-founding

The foundation for what would become Jeffersonville began in 1786 when Fort Finney was established near where the Kennedy Bridge is today. U.S. Army planners chose the location for its view of a nearby bend in the Ohio River, which offered a strategic advantage in the protection of settlers from Native Americans. Over time, a settlement grew. In 1791 the fort was renamed to Fort Steuben in honor of Baron von Steuben. Then in 1793 the fort was abandoned. In 1802 local residents used a grid pattern designed by Thomas Jefferson for the formation of a city. On September 13, 1803, a post office was established in the city. In 1808 Indiana's second federal land sale office was established in Jeffersonville, which initiated a growth in settling in Indiana that was further spurred by the end of the War of 1812.

In 1802, Jeffersonville replaced Springville as the county seat of Clark County. Charlestown was named the county seat in 1812 but it returned to Jeffersonville in 1878, where it remains.

Shipbuilding

In 1819 the first shipbuilding took place in Jeffersonville, and steamboats would become key to Jeffersonville's economy.

Underground Railroad

As a free state bordering the south, Indiana served as a crucial step along the Underground Railroad. By 1830, Jeffersonville was the first and largest route for fugitives crossing the Ohio River at Louisville. Hundreds of freedom seekers made their way north to Canada through Clark County. There were many instances where Jeffersonville citizens helped fugitives flee enslavement. In the 1850s, Mayors Oswald Wooley and Uriah Damron were arrested for "running off" enslaved people. In 1863, Hannah Tolliver, a black wash woman, was arrested on the Louisville, Kentucky wharf as she attempted to help another woman cross the Ohio River to freedom. Hannah was convicted and became one of seven women inmates at the Kentucky State Prison at Frankfort. Dr. Nathaniel Field moved from Middletown, Kentucky to Jeffersonville in 1829. He was the head of UGRR activity in Jeffersonville, hiding escapees in his cellar during the day and sending them on to the next "station" at night. Field was President of the Indiana Antislavery Society and friend of Levi Coffin, the head of the Underground Railroad at Cincinnati and at Richmond, Indiana.

The Rev. Calvin Fairbank was arrested in Jeffersonville for helping the woman, Tamar, escape. He was tried in Louisville and convicted and spent decades in the Frankfort prison.

Civil War

Camp Joe Holt

During the Civil War Jeffersonville was one of the principal gateways to the South. This was largely due to its location directly opposite Louisville. Three railroads (including the Jeffersonville Railroad and the Ohio and Mississippi Railway) served Jeffersonville from the north, as well as the waterway of the Ohio River. Operating in the South, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad furnished the connecting link between Louisville and the rest of the South. These factors made the city a good location to house supplies and troops for the Union Army.

In 1862, two area regiments established the first military camp in the city. The location was christened Camp Joe Holt, and the name was retained when the camp was converted to a hospital called Joe Holt Hospital.

Evacuation to Jeffersonville

In September and October 1862, two Confederate armies led by Generals Braxton Bragg and E. Kirby Smith closed in on Louisville, a key strategic prize. General William "Bull" Nelson ordered women and children to evacuate. So many fled across the river to Jeffersonville that the city's hotels and rooming houses were filled to capacity. On September 24, General Don Carlos Buell and his men managed to reach Louisville barely ahead of the Confederates. The force of 100,000 Union soldiers successfully defended Louisville and forestalled any invasion.

Construction of the Quartermaster Depot

The Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot had its first beginnings in the early days of the Civil War as a storage depot for the Union Quartermaster Department. As the war came to a close all military supply depots along the Ohio Valley were shut down (except Jeffersonville's), and their supplies were stored at the Jeffersonville location. In 1871, the U.S. Army began consolidating operations in the city into four square blocks.

Due to the Ohio River Flood of 1937, the library suffered a near total loss of its collection. However, it reopened in November 1937 thanks to months of work and donations of money and books. He also moved his First Pentecostal Baptist Church there, and held revivals in neighboring states. Meanwhile, he routinely challenged the Jeffersonville Evening News for its depiction of his church, eventually starting a new publication called The Banner of Truth to publicize his services and aid recruitment. Much of his popularity stemmed from his vocal opposition of prohibition.

In 1934, a fire destroyed Davis's First Pentecostal Baptist Church. After years of legal trouble, Davis was denied a permit to rebuild. He left Jeffersonville, and William Branham – formerly a ministering elder in Davis's church – became pastor of the congregation. Branham moved the group to a new building, eventually naming it Branham Tabernacle, as it is known today.

Flood of 1937

Jeffersonville was one of many communities affected by the Ohio River flood of 1937. After record rainfall in mid-January, 90% of the city was flooded, electricity was lost, all roads leading into the city were covered, and a levee failed. The Indiana National Guard deployed to the area to help those displaced, distribute much-needed emergency supplies, inoculate residents for typhoid fever, and purify drinking water. Finally by the end of the month the water began to recede. The flood left an estimated $250 million worth of damage throughout the Ohio Valley.

"Little Las Vegas"

thumb|220px|City Hall in the Quadrangle complex

In the 1930s and 1940s, gambling was instrumental in Jeffersonville's recovery from the Great Depression and the Flood of 1937. This earned the town the nickname "Little Las Vegas". During this time, Jeffersonville attracted the likes of Clark Gable, John Dillinger, Al Capone, and others. After Clarence Amster, a New Albany resident was gunned down on July 2, 1937, public sentiment turned against gambling and the mobsters it brought. In 1938, James L. Bottorff was elected judge and announced that gambling would not be tolerated. The Club Greyhound, a major dog racing track known for fixing races, was raided and closed within a year, with others soon following.

World War II

Having acquired the Howard Shipyards in 1925, the U.S. Navy awarded the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Company (later known as Jeffboat) a contract to build boats during World War II. Jeffboat built landing vessels such as the LST, and swelled in number of employees from 200 to 13,000 people. After the war ended, the Navy sold the Howard Shipyard to Jeffboat.

End of segregation

Jeffersonville ended segregation in its public schools in 1952, two years before the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education ruled that segregation was unconstitutional. Prior to this, Jeffersonville High School was reserved for white high school students. Meanwhile, black students in grades one through twelve were sent to Taylor High School. While The New York Times held up Jeffersonville as a model for all "southern-minded" cities, integration came at a cost. Though black students were allowed to attend the newly integrated Jeffersonville High School, black instructors previously employed at Taylor High School were terminated.

Annexation

On February 5, 2008, the city of Jeffersonville officially annexed four out of six planned annex zones. The proposed annexation of the other two zones was postponed due to lawsuits. One of the two areas remaining to be annexed was Oak Park, Indiana an area of about 5,000 more citizens. The areas annexed added about to the city and about 4,500 citizens, raising the population to an estimated 33,100. The total area planned to be annexed was . The areas received planning and zoning, building permits and drainage issues services immediately, with new in-city sewer rates. Other services were phased in, such as police and fire, and worked jointly with the pre-existing non-city services until they were available.

The Clark County Courts dismissed the lawsuits against the city on February 25, 2008. This dismissal brought the remaining Oak Park area into the city. The population of the city grew to nearly 50,000 citizens, making it the largest annexation in Jeffersonville's history.

Big Four Pedestrian Bridge and Big Four Station

thumb|Big Four Station is a park that opened in 2014 at the base of the Big Four Bridge.Conceived in the 1990s and completed in 2014, the Big Four Bridge was converted to a pedestrian bridge in a joint effort between Kentucky and Indiana governments. An average of 1.5 million pedestrians and bicycles cross the roughly-1/2 mile bridge each year. 1/4 mile ramps complete the bridge on each end. The bridge is also decorated with a colorful LED lighting system that operates from twilight to 1 am. The lights can be customized by request.

On the Jeffersonville side of the bridge the city constructed Big Four Station, a plaza and park. The park features green space, fountains, a farmers market on Saturdays, a restroom, a bike-sharing station, a pavilion, a playground, and easy access to downtown shops and restaurants. Big Four Station is also the home of the annual Abbey Road on the River, the largest Beatles-inspired music festival in the world, as well as other annual celebrations.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Jeffersonville has a total area of , of which (or 99.14%) is land and , or 0.86%, is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Jeffersonville had a population of 49,447. The median age was 38.7 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.4 males age 18 and over.

There were 20,758 households in Jeffersonville, of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.8% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 36,036 || 72.9%

|-

| Black or African American || 6,979 || 14.1%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 193 || 0.4%

|-

| Asian || 742 || 1.5%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 101 || 0.2%

|-

| Some other race || 1,396 || 2.8%

|-

| Two or more races || 4,000 || 8.1%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 3,021 || 6.1%

|}

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 44,953 people, 18,580 households, and 11,697 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 19,991 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 80.4% White, 13.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 1.9% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.1% of the population.

There were 18,580 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 37.3 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.2% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Food outlets

thumb|200px|Mick's Lounge where [[Papa John's Pizza began]]

Jeffersonville has a variety of restaurants along the riverfront, downtown, and other areas such as the Quartermaster Depot. These include small bars, restaurants, and fast food chains. Jeffersonville is also the birthplace of the pizza chain Papa John's Pizza.

Kitchen Kompact

Kitchen Kompact manufactures cabinetry in a converted portion of the Quartermaster Depot. The facility employs nearly 300 workers with an average tenure of 15 years. They produce around 10,000 cabinets per shift.

National Processing Center

Jeffersonville is home to the United States Bureau of the Census's National Processing Center – the bureau's primary center for collecting, capturing, and delivering data. The facility comprises approximately one million square feet, and processes millions of forms per year. It also employs 1200 to more than 6000 people, making it one of southern Indiana's largest employers.

River Ridge Commerce Center

The River Ridge Commerce Center is an industrial zone located on the outskirts of Jeffersonville near Charlestown, Indiana. Built on land previously occupied by the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, it now hosts a variety of industries. These include manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, food & beverage, life sciences, logistics, and more.

thumb|upright=1.2|Part of [[Jeffboat in Jeffersonville. Jeffboat was the largest inland shipbuilder in the U.S.]]

Shipbuilding industry

Until 2018, Jeffersonville was the home of Jeffboat, the largest inland shipbuilder in the US. At its peak, the barge manufacturer employed over 13,000 employees. The company closed due to an overproduction of barges, marking the end of 200 years of shipbuilding in Jeffersonville. In 2022, city officials announced intentions to redevelop the property.

Education

The Greater Clark County Schools school district covers Jeffersonville. Schools include:

Public schools

  • Franklin Square Elementary
  • Northaven Elementary
  • Pike Elementary
  • Riverside Elementary
  • Parkview Middle School
  • River Valley Middle School
  • Jeffersonville High School

Private schools

  • Sacred Heart Catholic School

Events

  • Taste of Jeffersonville
  • Abbey Road on the River, music festival
  • The Great Steamboat Race
  • Jammin in Jeff, Riverstage concert series
  • Southern Indiana Pride Parade & Festival
  • Spring Street Festival, local art show and celebration
  • Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area
  • Howard Steamboat Museum
  • Indiana Army Ammunition Plant
  • Jeffboat
  • Jeffersonville Township Public Library
  • Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot
  • NoCo Arts and Cultural District
  • Schimpff's Confectionery
  • Vintage Fire Museum
  • Warder Park

Notable people

  • Ernie Andres, MLB baseball player, basketball player and coach
  • William Branham, evangelist
  • Nick Dinsmore, professional wrestler
  • Amanda Ruter Dufour, poet
  • Drew Ellis, MLB fielder
  • Mike Flynn, basketball player
  • Jonas Ingram, United States Navy admiral, Medal of Honor recipient and United States Atlantic Fleet commander
  • Judy Lynn, country music singer
  • Travis Meeks, musician
  • Zach Payne, member of the Indiana House of Representatives
  • Linda Ridgway, artist
  • Duane Roland, guitarist, co-founder of Molly Hatchet
  • Jermaine Ross, NFL wide receiver
  • John Schnatter, entrepreneur, founder of Papa John's Pizza
  • Shanda Sharer, crime victim
  • Walt Terrell, MLB pitcher
  • Jimmy Wacker, MLB pitcher
  • Richard B. Wathen, politician
  • June Weybright, composer
  • Natalie West, actress

See also

  • List of cities and towns along the Ohio River
  • List of mayors of Jeffersonville, Indiana

References

  • Jeff Main Street website
  • News and Tribune: "Growth Spurt: Census shows Clark County has grown 14.3 percent in last decade"
  • Convention and Tourism Bureau