Wheeling, Gibson County, Indiana Explained

Official Name:Wheeling
(Kirkville)
Pushpin Map:Indiana#USA
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Indiana
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Gibson
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:Washington
Coordinates:38.4131°N -87.4553°W
Elevation Ft:461
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:47649
Area Code:812

Wheeling is an unincorporated community in Washington Township, Gibson County, Indiana, United States. The community contains a historic covered bridge over the Patoka River, the Wheeling Bridge, completed in 1877.[1]

History

Wheeling was originally named Kirksville, and under the latter name was platted in 1856.[2] It was once a thriving agricultural community on the banks of the Patoka River until the railroad bypassed the community and it lost business to nearby towns.[3]

The village of Wheeling was platted July 4, 1856. It was first called Kirksville, sometimes spelled Kirkville. It may have been named for Robert Kirk, an early judge. Locally it was also called Bovine. A post office called Bovine was established on April 4, 1854, but closed July 14, 1902.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Covered bridges of Gibson County . County of Gibson, IN . 11 September 2014.
  2. Book: Baker, Ronald L.. From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History. registration. October 1995. Indiana University Press. 978-0-253-32866-3. 346. This village was platted on July 4, 1856, and first called Kirksville....
  3. Book: History of Gibson County, Indiana: With Illustrations Descriptive of Its Scenery, and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. 1884. Jas. T. Tartt & Co. 203.
  4. Web site: History of Gibson County.