Muncie Indiana

Muncie Indiana,

ABOUT (brief history)

The Lenape (Delaware) tribe moved to new territories in modern-day Ohio and eastern Indiana in the 1790s after being evicted from their tribal lands in the Mid-Atlantic region (all of New Jersey, southern New York, eastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware). Along the White River, the Lenape established a number of settlements, including Munsee Town, which is located not far from Muncie today.

Contrary to common belief, the city's original name, Munsee Town, comes from the Lenape “Munsee” clan, a group of Native Americans whose settlement was formerly located along the White River. No proof exists that the legendary Chief Munsee ever existed. (Munsee) refers to a person who speaks one of their languages.

In accordance with the conditions of the Treaty of St. Mary's, the native tribes of the region relinquished their territories to the federal government in 1818 and consented to relocate further west by 1821. About 1820, just before the region's public lands were formally made available for purchase, new people started moving into what would eventually become Delaware County, Indiana. Muncietown, formerly known as Munsee Town, was chosen as the Delaware County seat and platted in 1827. The town's name was shortened to Muncie on January 13, 1845, thanks to legislation that the Indiana General Assembly passed. Soon, Muncie was connected to neighboring counties, towns, and regions of Indiana by a network of roads.

Following the American Civil War, Muncie experienced considerable economic and industrial growth thanks to the advent of additional railroads in the late 1890s and early 1900s as well as the locality's abundant natural gas reserves. The area was predominantly an agricultural area prior to the discovery of adjacent natural gas wells and the start of the gas boom in Muncie in 1886, with Muncie acting as the commercial trading hub for nearby farmers.

 

Industrial and Civic Development

Muncie entered a new age of wealth in the 1880s as a result of the Indiana gas boom. Natural gas supplies were plentiful, bringing new industries, businesses, and citizens to the area. Agriculture remained a significant economic driver in the area, but over the next 100 years, the city's growth was driven by industry. The Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, which was renamed the Ball Corporation in 1969, was one of the significant manufacturers that arrived early in the city's gas-boom period. The Ball brothers established a new glass-making foundry in Muncie, Indiana, starting its glass production on March 1, 1888. The Ball brothers were looking for a new location for their glass manufacturing company that was closer to an ample natural-gas supply.

As a result of the city's expansion in the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s, residents of Muncie constructed a new city hall, a new public library, and a new high school. The city's gasworks also got going in the latter half of the 1870s. Both the Muncie Star and the Muncie Evening Press were established in 1899 and 1905, respectively. On January 1, 1904, a brand-new public library that was a Carnegie library project was officially opened as the primary location of the city's public library system.

The Ball brothers continued to play a significant role in the community as prominent philanthropists by providing money for the development of new facilities at Ball State and Ball Memorial Hospital, which helped Muncie people overcome the difficulties of the Great Depression. (The 1929-founded hospital ultimately became a part of Indiana University Health.) Additionally, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) offered opportunities in the building of bridges, city sewer upgrades, and road grading.

 

Government

The Indiana Constitution and the Indiana Code confer specific authority on the county government, which is a constitutional entity.

Muncie, an Indiana second-class city with a population ranging from 35,000 to 599,999, is run by a mayor, a nine-member city council, a city clerk, and a city judge.

Municipal elections for the positions of mayor, city council, judge, and clerk are held in the odd years just before presidential elections (2015, 2019, etc.). Dan Ridenour, a Republican who was first elected mayor in 2019, is the present mayor. Belinda Munson is the current municipal clerk, and Amanda Dunnuck is the current city judge. Six district-elected members and three at-large members make up the nine members of the city council. The current members of the city council are:

• District 1: Jeff Green (R)
• District 2: Jeff Robinson (D)
• District 3: Brandon Garrett (D)
• District 4: Isaac Miller (R)
• District 5: Jerry Dishman (D)
• District 6: Roger Overbey (D)
• At-Large: Aaron Clark (R)
• At-Large: Troy Ingram (R)
• At-Large: Roza Selvey (R)

 

Muncie Indiana, Sports

The Mid-American Conference's NCAA Division I Ball State Cardinals are based in Muncie. Football is played at Scheumann Stadium, men's basketball is played at John E. Worthen Arena, and baseball are notable sport (played at Ball Diamond).

The Muncie Flyers, also known as the Congerville Flyers, were the city's professional football team from 1905 until 1925, and they were formerly called Muncie home. One of the eleven founding members of the National Football League was the Muncie club (NFL). It participated in league play in 1920 and 1921.

The Muncie Flyers, a minor league hockey team, also called Muncie home. In 1948–1949, the squad participated in the International Hockey League for one season.