North Judson, Indiana

North Judson is a town in Wayne Township, Starke County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. was established on September 24, 1860, as North Judson after William D. Judson, President of the Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad (later a part of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad), which had just been laid through the town. The 'North' was likely added to eliminate confusion with downstate Judson, Indiana. The post office was later reestablished on August 31, 1864, under postmaster Levi Lightcap, not moving to its current location until 1949.

Railroads

By the last two decades of the 19th century, many developments came to North Judson. In 1881, the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Railroad (New York Central) was built from the neighboring town of San Pierre to North Judson. This railroad was later extended east to neighboring city of Knox in 1885. The Chicago and Atlantic Railroad (later Chicago and Erie) was built through North Judson and several other surrounding towns in 1882–1883. The town formerly owned and remains the headquarters of the Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad.

Schools

In 1851, a one-room, log schoolhouse located west of North Judson served as the first school. A two-story school was later built on the corner of current-day Keller and Central Ave in 1875. The school was re-built again and updated to brick in 1896.

In 1892, North Judson established a two-year high school and, in 1889, had the first commissioned four-year high school in the county. A new high school was built in 1921.

Between 1922, all remaining one-room, rural schoolhouses in Wayne Township closed and consolidated into North Judson schools. North Judson High School merged with San Pierre High School in 1964 after San Pierre High School closed.

North Judson Liberty Elementary opened in 1966 and acts as the current elementary school for North Judson. In 1972, construction started on the current North Judson-San Pierre (NJSP) High School building; construction finished in 1975. In 1990, the middle school extension was added to the building. The high school's Athletic & Fine Arts Center opened in 2006. In the 2010s, the NJSP Middle School and NJSP San Pierre kindergarten site closed. Kindergartners and 6th graders were moved to NJSP Liberty Elementary, while 7th and 8th graders were moved to the high school, establishing the NJSP Junior/Senior High School.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,857 people, 774 households, and 516 families residing in the town. The median age was 38.1 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.1 males age 18 and over. The gender makeup of the town was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

There were 774 households in North Judson, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.1% were married-couple households, 18.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.11. of 2010, there were 1,772 people, 706 households, and 456 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 791 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 96.7% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.3% of the population.

There were 706 households, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the town was 37.7 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census

thumb|<small>North Judson-Wayne Township Library in 2011.</small>

Public education

North Judson-San Pierre Liberty Elementary teaches kindergarten through sixth grade, while North Judson-San Pierre High School teaches seventh through twelfth grade.

Private education

St. Peter Lutheran School teaches kindergarten through eighth grade. St. Peter also provides preschool and pre-k programs.

Arts and culture

Attractions

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

North Judson is home to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, a memorial to American railroad culture that offers old-fashioned train rides on Saturdays. A short train ride reaches English Lake, at the Kankakee and Yellow Rivers' confluence, before returning to the museum. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum also hosts special events during the holidays that include train rides.

Melody Drive-In

About ten miles east on SR 10, just south of Bass Lake on U.S. 35, is the Melody Drive-in Theater. The Melody Drive-In has two screens across 13 acres and plays two different double features every night; concessions are available on site. The theater is typically open from May through October, weather permitting.

Festivals and events

Mint Festival

Every Father's Day weekend since 1977, The “Mint Court” takes parts in many activities throughout the festival, including the town parade, which takes place on Sunday.

Students that live in or attend school in Starke County are eligible to nominate their fathers or grandfathers for the Mint Festival's Father/Grandfather of the Year Award by essay. The two winning authors and father/grandfather receive a prize, are recognized during the festivals opening ceremonies, and are also part of the Mint Parade.

Norwayne Field Tree Lighting Ceremony

On the first Friday of every December, the town hosts a Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony at Norwayne Field. The trees are decorated prior by local businesses, organizations, and community members. After the parade and lighting, refreshments are provided, and children get a chance to meet Santa Claus.

Sports

The community of North Judson is also a strong supporter of its high school North Judson-San Pierre, and the athletic teams the Blue Jays, particularly in football, and basketball, both boys and girls. The Blue Jays have a longtime football rivalry with the Knox Community High School Redskins, and games are among the biggest high school sports events each season.

Parks and recreation

North Judson has a town park located on Weninger Street. The park has a playground, a basketball court, two pickleball courts, a beach volleyball court, three baseball fields, permanent cornhole boards, and a short walking trail.

The Chesapeake Run Golf Club, located on S. 250 W. off SR 10, offers an 18-hole course.

The western North Judson Erie Trail trailhead is located in North Judson just west of the intersection of Main and Simmons Street. Additional parking along the trail in North Judson is located just off SR 10 on S. 250 W. The trail travels 11 miles southeast to Ora.

Ten miles east on SR 10, the Bass Lake Beach and Campground offers swimming, fishing, boating, and camping.

Churches

First Free Will Baptist Church (209 E Talmer Avenue)
Heartland Christian Center (301 N Main Street)
St. Cyril & Methodius Church (303 Keller Avenue)
St. Peter Lutheran Church (810 State Road 10)
United Methodist Church (210 Central Avenue)