Sullivan County, Indiana

 county, draw only border

 Upload a photo

www.sctb.net/
County Seat: Sullivan.

Sullivan County was formed in 1817, from Knox County and experienced six boundary changes, the last being 1821. The first temporary county seat was Carlisle. In the act forming Sullivan County, Merom was declared the county seat and remained so until about 1842. At this time the city of Sullivan was established so the county seat could be moved to the center of the county. On February 7th, 1850 a fire destroyed the courthouse at Sullivan and virtually all its records.

Sullivan County’s central location and recreation are its trademarks. Located in southwestern Indiana, the county is bordered by Illinois and the Wabash River to the west, Vigo County to the north, Greene County to the east and Knox to the south. Sullivan city located in the center of the county, population around 5000, is the county seat and is located on U.S. 41, intersected by Hwy. 154 and is only 26 miles south of I-70. Sullivan County, with all its lakes and parks along with its ease of access, has become one of the leading recreational counties in this area of the Midwest. The county is made up predominantly of lakes, farm ground and coal mines. The Turtle Creek Fish and Wildlife Area, centered around Hoosier Energy Merom Generating Stations, 1700 acre lake has become well known nationally for its fishing and hunting. The Minnehaha Recreation Area under the management of the State DNR sports 12,500 acres of boating, hunting and fishing. The Greene-Sullivan County Forest allows boating, fishing and hunting among its 600 acres of lakes. Seven-hundred and sixty-six acres of water sports are available in the Shakamak State Park in northeast Sullivan County, along with the stripper pits and forests throughout the county. Sullivan County Park and Lake contains 461 acres of water and 400 acres of land for camping, swimming, boating and fishing as well as a 9 hole golf course. Complementing these various camping, hunting and fishing facilities around the county is the Sullivan City Park with a swimming pool and nicely built community building.

Historically, industry of Sullivan County has centered on agriculture and coal mining. The Amax and Peabody coal company has strip mined large sections of eastern Sullivan leaving many lakes and reclaimed areas. One large power plant, Hoosier Energy’s Merom Generating Station is located on the western side of the county.

Industries have grown with the county over the past several years. Several machine and welding shops within the county service the area, along with chemical processing and bulk plants, plastic product and manufacturing plants and several saw mills. There are three banks with branch offices throughout the county. First National Bank & Trust, Fifth Third Bank and First Farmers State Bank.

The counties energy needs are serviced by Cinergy, Win energy and several gas companies throughout the county. Sullivan County’s medical needs are met by Sullivan County Community Hospital. Several doctors are in the area along with Home Health Care and Nursing Home facilities.

Sullivan County has two School districts, consisting of the Northeast and Southwest School Corporations. These corporations represent three high schools and seven elementary schools. Sullivan County is also home to the first Rural Charter School sponsored by Ball State University. The school is located in the former Graysville School building in Graysville, Indiana.

Civil and criminal protection is provided by the county sheriff’s department with several deputies. Some of the towns in the county have marshals. The city of Sullivan has one chief and several deputies. These groups are assisted by the Indiana State Police and several State Conservation officers. Fire protection is provided by the Sullivan City, an East Side City dept. along with ten volunteer fire departments throughout the county. The Sullivan County Emergency Management provides security, warning system training courses, emergency and disaster aid and shelter to the county. The Civil Defense can be mobilized in time of fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, winter storms, hazardous material spills or whenever the community is in need of assistance.

Sullivan County government consists of three county commissioners and seven county council members. Each incorporated town has a town board or mayor and council.