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Indiana Bicentennial Celebration 2016

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Explore County Bicentennial Activities > Newton County Newton County

Newton County
Q&A with County Coordinators Larry and Becky Lyons, Barrie Murphy and Kyle Conrad

What do you consider the key accomplishment(s) of your county’s bicentennial celebration?

  • Over 3,500 people observed the Torch Relay on Oct. 11th. Our 20 Torchbearers were chosen because of their outstanding volunteerism in our county. Ten honored Torchbearers assembled on the track at North Newton High School football field to pass the Torch. Their reasons for being Torchbearers were read. We then traveled to South Newton High School 's football field and the 10 Torchbearers chosen from this area were lined up on the track, their volunteer history was read as each one passed the Torch to the next person. From here everyone went to Kentland, our county seat, where a couple owning a Model T car shared a trip around the courthouse with a man on an antique John Deere tractor.  From Kentland the Model T took the torch to the Newton/Benton County line where we passed it on to Benton County.    

What Legacy Project do you most like to tell people about, and why?

  • Newton County Historical Society hosted the Open House of Hazelden, home of playwright George Ade, on September 10th. Around 160 people attended. Mr. Ade and his friend Mr. Ross donated money to build Ross Ade Stadium at Purdue University. Mr. Ade was a benefactor to many people in Newton County. Then it was on to Brook, where close to 100 people visited our renovated Wash-O-Quois Museum where items from Iroquois and Washington Townships are displayed once again. In the evening a huge crowd attend our annual Brook Fish Fry.  

Describe a highlight or most memorable moment related to your county's bicentennial celebration.

  • We are deeply indebted to our Torchbearers, State Police officers, school officials, and the Bicentennial Committee for your patience and understanding to have made this day work on time and so effectively.

How/where are you preserving information and artifacts related to your county's celebration?

  • Our Torch and related information are visible and housed at our Historical Society Resource center in Kentland, IN.

Total number of volunteers who participated.

  • 30.

Estimated total attendance.

  • 4,000.

Estimated dollar amount raised (if applicable).

  • None.

Estimated dollar amount spent (if applicable).

  • $500.00.

Newton County Legacy Projects

Newton County Facts

Newton County is named after Sgt. John Newton, who served under Gen. Francis Marion (the “Swamp Fox”) in the American Revolutionary War. It is adjacent to Jasper County, which was named after Sgt.William Jasper, whose story is similar.

About the courthouse: Joseph Hutton was the architect and the building was completed in 1906.

There is a 7,000-acre prairie in Newton County. The Kankakee Sands Efroymson Family Prairie Restoration is a natural space where you can experience an amazing array of birds, wildflowers, plants and animals. As a restoration project, it leaves a lasting legacy to improve the future of our Hoosier state.

County Seat: Kentland
Year Organized: 1857
Square Miles: 401.76

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