Volga, Indiana Explained

Official Name:Volga, Indiana
Pushpin Map:Indiana#USA
Pushpin Label:Volga
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Indiana
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Jefferson
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:Smyrna
Coordinates:38.7839°N -85.5181°W
Elevation Ft:686
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:47250
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:18-79244[1]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:445316

Volga is an unincorporated community in Smyrna Township, Jefferson County, Indiana. The name's origin is not known with certainty, but is believed to have been adopted from Volga in Russia.

History

Volga was not platted as a town and was never separately enumerated in federal censuses. It was defined primarily by the existence of a post office and a school. The post office operated from May 29, 1856, until July 14, 1904. The first postmaster was William J. Chambers.

School trustees purchased a tract in the area on March 11, 1844, for the erection of a school house. A school house that was still standing in 1989 was built in 1870. In the immediate neighborhood is the Hopewell Baptist Church, a stone building constructed in 1848. The History of Hopewell Baptist Church shows that the organizing meeting was held on May 16, 1829, at the house of Robert Ford. The first worship was held in July 1829 at Volga.

The 1890 Indiana Gazetteer and Business Directory provided the following description: "A village of 100 inhabitants in Smyrna township, Jefferson county, 9 miles northwest of Madison, Jefferson county, the county seat, nearest shipping point and bank location. Mail tri-weekly. George Wallace, postmaster."

Geography

Volga is located on the north side of Harbert's Creek, which flows from east to west, on the Deputy Pike at its junction with county road 700W.

References

  1. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.

Further reading