Monon is a town in Monon Township, White County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,919 at the 2020 census.
History
The town of Monon was platted by James Brooks in 1853 as "New Bradford." Brooks was the president of the New Albany and Salem Railroad, the predecessor of the Monon Railroad. The town's name is derived from two nearby creeks, the Big Monon and the Little Monon. The original spelling of the creeks' names was "Monong," a Potawatomi word that one authority states meant "swift-running." In the 1840s, the name was used as a nickname for the railroad company, and in 1856 the company formally adopted it as its corporate name. The first post office was established in 1838 under the name Monon, and when the town was incorporated in 1879, it legally adopted the post office's name.
Monon was situated on an important junction of different branches of the Monon Railroad lines. In its heyday, the railroad had two train yards in Monon: a main yard 11 tracks wide with a capacity for 270 cars, and a South Yard 5 tracks wide with a 278-car capacity. Passenger train services have since been discontinued, and most lines have been closed. The only trains through Monon now are a CSX Transportation line from Maynard, Indiana to Lafayette and a portion of the old Michigan City line.
Through the efforts of the Monon Civic Preservation Society, the Monon Commercial Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. The Society maintains the historic Civic Center (originally the Arlington Hotel), the Monon Theater, and the Monon Railroad Caboose Memorial Park.
Geography
Monon is located on U.S. Route 421, approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Lafayette. According to the 2010 census, Monon has a total area of 0.56 square miles (1.45 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Monon had a population of 1,919. The median age was 29.8 years. 33.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.9% were 65 years of age or older. The racial composition was 47.7% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 2.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 32.2% some other race, and 17.4% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 55.7% of the population.
Education
The North White School Corporation (which also serves Buffalo and Reynolds) governs three public schools in Monon: North White Primary, North White Intermediate, and North White Junior-Senior High School. The town also has a lending library, the Monon Town & Township Public Library.
Arts and Culture
The Monon Food Fest is held on the first Saturday of June each year, featuring a car show, food vendors, live entertainment, and pony rides.
Transportation
Monon is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 421 and State Road 16. US 421 runs north to Michigan City and south to Indianapolis.
