25 topographic sheets cover 10 settlements here, and 4 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.
4 National Register listings published here · the county-history sources tell 1 story and name 175 people · people the book names include William Adams (Washington Township, 1900) (machine-read).
Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the National Register database, National Park Service
Among them: Jacob I. Leach. These passages come from the identified county-history source books. Each inset names its own source and opens the exact section it comes from.
Jacob I. Leach, a successful farmer and stockraiser of Harrison township, is a native of Wells county, Indiana, and one of three sons born to Stephen and Margaret (Wood¬ ward) Leach. He is the youngest member of the family, and the only one living at this time, his oldest brother, Francis, having met death by drowning, and George W., the sec¬ ond in order of birth, died in the year 1873.
Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.
| Photograph | Property | Type | Listed | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Blackford County Courthouse | building | 1980 | 80000053 |
 | First Presbyterian Church | building | 1986 | 86001263 |
 | Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District | district | 2006 | 06000522 |
 | Montpelier Carnegie Library | building | 2007 | 07000560 |
The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 124 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 26 injuries and about $25,664,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind | 67 |
| Hail | 44 |
| Flash Flood | 6 |
| Tornado | 5 |
| Lightning | 1 |
| Flood | 1 |
The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1965 | Tornado (F4) | not stated | 22 hurt, $25,000,000 | no account filed |
| November 2002 | Tornado (F1) | Hartford City | 3 hurt, $250,000 | This tornado touched down 5 miles southwest of Hartford City and then moved into Hartford City before lifting. An NWS ground survey found F0 to F1 damage along its path with F1 damage to a supermarket and a motel. One home and 2 mobile homes were destroyed in Hartford City. 3 persons were injured, none seriously. |
| November 2017 | Tornado (EF2) | Millgrove | 1 hurt | The tornado crossed out of Delaware county, into Blackford county, at the intersection of E County Road 1300 N and S County Road 600 E, impacting several structures and trees on the northeast and southeast side of the intersection. Two homes suffered roof damage, with a garage being destroyed, likely due to winds into the garage door side. A middle aged female resident suffered minor injuries when debris from a south facing window and front door impacted her. The tornado did appear to weaken or possibly cycle as it approached the Jay county line with only minor damage noted to some trees. The circulation appeared to cross the county line (State Route 167), north of W County Road 300 S near Big Lick Creek. Maximum winds were estimated in this portion of the tornado at between 110 and 120 mph and was therefore rates a EF2 in Blackford county. |
| July 2003 | Flash Flood | Countywide | $75,000 | Law enforcement reported some roads closed countywide due to flash flooding. 13 to 14 homes had some damage. |
| June 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | $50,000 | Emergency management officials reported numerous trees and tree limbs down throughout Hartford City. Windows were blown out on some of the downtown businesses. |
| August 2010 | Lightning | Montpelier | $50,000 | The local newspaper reported lightning was the cause of a barn fire in the 4200 block of East 400 North. The barn was fully engulfed in flames when fire fighters arrived. The building suffered extensive damage, estimated at around $50,000. No details on contents or their extent of damage was provided. |
| August 1998 | Flash Flood | Hartford City | $50,000 | NUMEROUS COUNTY ROADS WERE FLOODED ALONG WITH AGRICULTURAL LAND. |
| May 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | $50,000 | A mobile home was overturned in Montpelier. Trees and power lines were reported down in Hartford City. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | $25,000 | Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines down across the city and parts of the county. At least one tree fell onto an unoccupied vehicle. Winds were estimated by spotters at around 80 mph. |
| December 1967 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | $20,000 | Three homes damaged by fallen trees. Many other trees down. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | $15,000 | A one foot diameter tree limb and as a billboard were blown down north of Hartford City. Trees were reported down south through southwest of Montpelier. |
| November 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Countywide | $15,000 | Power lines were blown down in several parts of the county. A large tree was also blown down 7 miles northeast of Hartford City. |
| April 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Millgrove | $10,000 | Tree down onto a house near Mill Grove. |
| April 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Millgrove | $10,000 | Damage to a home on CR 400 E between 300 S and 400 S. |
| July 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | $10,000 | Several trees and power lines were down south of Hartford City. |
| June 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | $5,000 | no account filed |
| March 2026 | Hail | Hartford City | $1,000 | Photo on Facebook shows hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter. |
| April 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Millgrove | $1,000 | Large tree down near Mill Grove. |
| March 2026 | Hail | Hartford City | $1,000 | no account filed |
| March 2024 | Hail | Trenton | $1,000 | no account filed |
| April 2024 | Hail | Hartford City | - | The public submitted several pictures and reports of hail up to at least the size of quarters in and around Hartford City. |
| July 2023 | Hail | Matamoras | - | Photo shared on Facebook of slightly larger than quarter size hail. |
| July 2023 | Hail | Montpelier | - | Several photos shared on Facebook of quarter size hail near the fairgrounds. |
| March 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | The public reported trees were blown down. |
| May 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Trenton | - | Emergency management officials reported trees were blown down with some tree top damage at County Road 300 North and 900 East on the Blackford and Jay county line. |
| July 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Trained spotters reported a partially rotten tree was blown down. |
| March 2017 | Hail | Hartford City Arpt | - | The public reported through social media. |
| March 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | A trained spotter reported wind gusts to 60 mph along with hail of unknown size covering the road. |
| July 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Several trees and power lines down in town. |
| July 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Tree blocking State Road 3 in Hartford City. |
| August 2014 | Flash Flood | Roll | - | Six to locally over 10 inches of rain fell in a several hour period across mainly southern parts of the county. Many county and state roads were closed due to several feet of water flowing over roadways. Numerous vehicles were stranded in flood waters with rescues needed. A CoCoRaHS site northwest of Hartford City recorded 10.63 inches of rain. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Roll | - | A trained spotter reported 10 to 15 three to four foot diameter trees were uprooted, as well as a two foot diameter tree being snapped. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | A trained spotter reported a tree was uprooted, with several large tree limbs blown down. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Montpelier | - | Amateur radio operators reported numerous large trees were blown down. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Roll | - | A trained spotter measured an 80 mph wind gust before the anemometer broke. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Renner | - | Emergency management officials estimated a 60 mph wind gust at the intersection of County Roads 200 North and 200 West. |
| November 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Emergency management officials reported trees and power lines down across the county. No significant damage was reported. |
| September 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Montpelier | - | Law enforcement officials reported power lines down. |
| June 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Emergency management officials reported three to five foot trees blown down across the county. Windows were blown in at several residences across the county as well as roof damage to barns. Siding was ripped off several buildings and welcome signs in town were blown over. |
| August 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | A trained spotter estimated wind gusts to 60 mph. |
| April 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Roll | - | Law enforcement officials reported a barn being blown off its foundation. |
| April 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Montpelier | - | Law enforcement officials reported a large tree falling onto a trailer. |
| February 2011 | Flood | Shamrock Lakes | - | Law enforcement officials reported numerous road closures, including State Road 26 and County Road 200 East. River flooding resulted from the heavy rain and continued into the first part of March. However, only agricultural flooding was noted. |
| August 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Trained spotters reported estimated wind gusts of at least 60 mph. |
| August 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Several trees and power lines were reported down in Hartford City as well as through the county. |
| May 2011 | Flash Flood | Roll | - | Emergency management officials reported numerous roads with high water across northern Blackford county. Several roads in and around Montpelier were closed due to the flooding, with water being reported into several basements, as well as the local fire station. |
| August 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Law enforcement officials reported numerous trees were blown down. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Millgrove | - | Ten trees were blown down. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Roll | - | Large branches were down across county road 600 north. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Large tree blown down across county road 800 east, south of State Route 26. |
| January 2005 | Flash Flood | Hartford City | - | Homes flooded in Hartford City. State Route 26 closed at County Road 200 E due to 4 to 5 feet of water over the intersection. The flash flooding occurred as a result of heavy rain and rapid snow melt. |
| May 2005 | Hail | Hartford City | - | Hail was reported ranging from nickel to the size of quarters. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Trees down in parts of the county, between Hartford City and Montpelier. |
| May 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Emergency management reported trees down in Hartford City. |
| August 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Montpelier | - | Tree down |
| June 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Millgrove | - | Law enforcement reported trees and power lines down in Millgrove. |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Law enforcement reported trees and power lines down south of Hartford City. |
| July 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hartford City | - | Law enforcement reported power lines down southeast of Hartford City. |
| September 2002 | Tornado (F1) | Hartford City | - | NWS officials reported the tornado touched down and lifted numerous times along the path. This tornado was produced by the same parent supercell that produced several tornadoes in the Indianapolis WFO CWA. Most of the damage occurred as it passed through Hartford City. A building at Ag Best, a fertilizer plant, was torn apart. Vehicles were also damaged at this business. The 4-H building suffered damage to its south and east sides. Numerous reports of trees and power lines were noted along the track, with trees falling down across from Southside school in Hartford City. |
The Survey's mineral resources record lists 3 workings inside this county. 2 still produce and 1 is closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Stone, Crushed/Broken | 1 |
| Stone | 1 |
| Clay | 1 |
The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackford County Highway Dept. | Stone | Producer | ||
| Erie Stone Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Producer | ||
| Inman Tile Pit | Clay | Past Producer |
Biographical Memoirs of Blackford County, Ind. : to Which Is Appended a Comprehensive Compendium of National Biography ... Embellished with Portraits of Many Well Known Residents of Blackford County, Indiana devotes a chapter to each township: its boundaries and streams, who settled it and when, the mills, the schools and the churches. All 2 are reproduced here in full. Each row shows the township's own shape and where it lies in the county, drawn from the Census Bureau's boundary. Which settlements belong to which township is computed from that same boundary, not taken from the book.
| Shape and position in the county | Township | Settlements in it | Length | Sections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Township | Matamoras, Montpelier | 2,712 words | 1 | |
| Washington Township | Roll | 240,143 words | 228 |
Everyone Biographical Memoirs of Blackford County, Ind. : to Which Is Appended a Comprehensive Compendium of National Biography ... Embellished with Portraits of Many Well Known Residents of Blackford County, Indiana stops to write about, with the section that describes them. Among them are the men who founded the place and governed the Territory. Each name opens the passage itself, in the words of 1900.
Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.
Licking township · 47348 · On Little Lick Creek · Hartford City East quadrangle
12 sheets, 1953 to 1986
Licking township · 47348 · On Little Joe Creek · Hartford City West quadrangle
14 sheets, 1953 to 1986
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