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Town of Mooresville

4 East Harrison Street
317-831-1608

About

Mooresville, Indiana is a town located in the heartland of America that combines a small town atmosphere with the benefits of a big city. It offers a beautiful Midwestern setting for high quality family life. Just 10 miles southwest of our state capital, Indianapolis, Mooresville is located next to a major distribution center and international air hub. Because of all it has to offer, Mooresville is the “Crossroads of Progress” and is becoming the new home of many businesses and families.

History

In 1824, Samuel Moore, a North Carolina Quaker, laid out the plans for the land he purchased for $2.00 an acre in 1823.He called it Mooresville, after his last name. Samuel chose thislocation because of the delta that laid between the east and west forks of White Lick Creek. This land had a fertile bottom ground and water to power mills. He set aside 16 lots within four 5 acre blocks. Mr. Moore would not allow a public sale of the lots, but gave the lots to desirable citizens.

Asa Bales built the first cabin in the town. Samuel Moore Rooker was the first child born in town and was named for and by Samuel Moore. Mr. Moore constructed a frame building on the northeast corner of the public square, from which he sold his merchandise.

In 1826 Alexander Worth & Company opened the second store and also built a wollen mill. The first school society in Mooresville was organized in Samuel Moore’s store in 1828.

Also in 1828, Samuel Moore married Eliza Worthington of Madison, Indiana. Eliza was a Methodist and both the Quaker and Methodist denominations were prominent in the early development of the community.

By 1831 the population of Mooresville had grown to 200. The town was incorporated in 1838. The Mooresville Chronicle was established in 1846 and lasted four years. In 1872, the first bank, Savings Bank of Mooresville, was established. Samuel Moore died in 1889, at the age of 90.

Mooresville adopted “Home of the State Flag” as its slogan in 1966, in honor of Paul Hadley, the Indiana state flag’s designer. Mr. Hadley was a well-known watercolor artist and lived in Mooresville for many years.

Mooresville’s population grew from 200 in 1831 to 2,000 in 1900 to just over 10,000 today.


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