50 topographic sheets cover 37 settlements here, and 8 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.
8 National Register listings published here · the county-history sources name 3 people · people the book names include Joseph Wilson Beab Creek (Noble Township, 1864) · U. S. Census Of 1880 (Wayne Township, 1881) (machine-read).
Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the National Register database, National Park Service
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Floral Hall | building | 1983 | 83000038 |
 | Grouping of Religious Buildings at Trinity | building | 1980 | 80000040 |
 | James Haines Farm | building | 2000 | 00000202 |
 | Jay County Courthouse | building | 1981 | 81000016 |
 | Portland Commercial Historic District | district | 1996 | 96000600 |
 | Rebecca Rankin Round Barn | building | 1993 | 93000189 |
 | Redkey Historic District | district | 1992 | 92001168 |
 | Jonas Votaw House | building | 2004 | 04001308 |
The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 176 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 2 injuries and about $4,834,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind | 103 |
| Hail | 37 |
| Tornado | 18 |
| Flash Flood | 9 |
| Flood | 7 |
| Lightning | 2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1961 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | 2 hurt, $25,000 | no account filed |
| February 2011 | Flood | Fiat | $1,500,000 | County officials and local newspapers reported widespread flooding from a combination of local creeks and rivers overflowing and ponding of water in slow drainage areas. Much of the city of Portland, as well as New Corydon suffered flooding damage. Water depths of several inches to over a foot were reported in businesses and homes. In addition, several roads were closed, including US 27 which passes through Portland. Flooding began to subside by later on the 28th, but rivers continued to respond to the heavy rainfall. No damage amounts were available at the time of entry. |
| September 2024 | Tornado (EF1) | Blaine | $500,000 | A tornado developed near the intersection of W 75 S and Joan Dr and quickly gained|intensity as it tracked east-northeast, hitting the Portland High School which sustained considerable roof damage. Several homes nearby sustained roof damage along with considerable tree damage noted along the track of this tornado. As the tornado was dissipating it caused extensive roof damage to the second story portion of the American Legion. Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be around 110 mph. |
| July 1998 | Flash Flood | Portland | $500,000 | SEVERAL ROADS ACROSS THE COUNTY SUSTAINED DAMAGE DUE TO PARTIAL OR COMPLETE WASHOUTS. MANY HOMES IN LOW LYING AREAS HAD THEIR BASEMENTS FLOODED ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF BRYANT. |
| June 1994 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $500,000 | The tornado touched down one tenth of a mile west of County Road 149 on County Road 150. The tornado moved northeast destroying a pole barn. It took the roof off a second barn and damaged the adjacent house. Power lines and trees were also blown down. Carroll County,23,1500EST,,,0,0,0,0,Thunderstorm Winds Trees were downed near Deer Creek. |
| June 1998 | Tornado (F1) | Boundary City | $300,000 | THIS TORNADO COMPLETELY DESTROYED A NEW MODULAR HOME. RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD...TWO OTHER HOUSES WERE DAMAGED AND A BARN WAS DESTROYED. SEVERAL OTHER HOMES, AN OLD SCHOOL, AND A CHURCH SUFFERED MINOR TO MODERATE DAMAGE. MANY TREES AND POWER LINES WERE DOWN AS A RESULT OF THIS STORM. |
| April 1980 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Flash Flood | Redkey | $200,000 | Emergency management reported county road 250 W 500 N washed out by flash flooding east of Redkey. 60 homes had some damage. |
| March 2026 | Tornado (EF0) | Redkey | $150,000 | A tornado touched down south of CR W 800 S and west of SR 1,|crossing the road and snapping 3 power poles. On the northern|edge, a barn suffered door damage, a few downed trees and damage|to a greenhouse. The tornado moved NE, crossing W 800 S and|causing roof damage to a home as well as some tree damage on a|few properties. As it was passing northwest of the intersection|of CR W 800 S and S 700 W, it caused roof damage to the roof of a|pole barn with debris being carried roughly 350 yards to the|east. The final damage was noted at 2 animal barns on S 600 W|where roof lost was noted, the most extensive being on the west|side of S 600 W where the metal roofing was carried into an|adjacent field. No damage was noted beyond this area. |
| August 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Redkey | $100,000 | Emergency management officials indicated that extensive tree damage was noted southwest of Redkey along State Route 67, from the Jay/Delaware county line northeast to just southwest of Redkey. Several trees were reported uprooted or snapped on State Route 67 as well as surrounding county roads. A residence in the 11000 block of West County Road 600 South reported roof damage and a hole in the house from debris. Also at the intersection of County Road 1150 West and 700 South, 5 power poles were broken and the lines dragged into a corn field. There was signs of some tree top damage and portion of a corn field was smashed over with no corn standing in some areas. While it is possible there could have been a brief circulation in the area, the damage from the downburst winds was more extensive. Damage is estimated at $100,000. |
| August 1998 | Flash Flood | Portland | $100,000 | OAKWOOD MOBILE HOME PARK INUNDATED. SEVERAL RESIDENCES IN PORTLAND FLOODED. MOST RURAL COUNTY ROADS WERE CLOSED DUE TO THE HIGH WATER OVER THE ROADS. |
| April 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Dunkirk | $100,000 | no account filed |
| April 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | New Mt Pleasant | $75,000 | Roof damage to barns, silos and machine sheds east of Redkey on S CR 325 W. Debris scattered into a nearby field. |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland | $75,000 | Numerous trees, tree limbs and power poles were blown down in the Bryant, Portland and Salamonia areas. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Center | $75,000 | A home suffered severe structural damage from a fallen tree. Other trees were blown down in and around Salamonia as well as near the intersection of 200 N and 300 W. A few branches fell onto power lines. Damage is estimated at $75,000. |
| May 2010 | Lightning | Bryant | $50,000 | Fire officials reported lightning started a house fire on the south side of Geneva. Several homes adjacent to the residence suffered minor damage. |
| August 2007 | Lightning | Portland | $50,000 | Lightning struck a house in the 5300 block of E 100 S in Portland. Heavy damage was reported to the upstairs. A County deputy was able to awake the residents and get them to safety. Damage is estimated at $50,000. |
| April 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Boundary City | $50,000 | A mobile home was completely destroyed by the high winds. A nearby house sustained considerabledamage with several large trees blown down as well. |
| October 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jay County | $50,000 | no account filed |
| November 1992 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| June 1973 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| April 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Redkey | $20,000 | Powerlines down and trees down at 400 S and State Road 1, north of Redkey. |
| April 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Collett | $10,000 | Tree down onto a house near 550 S and 200 W. No injuries. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland | $10,000 | Three 18 to 24 inch diameter trees were blown down, as well as power lines in the city of Portland. |
| November 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Dunkirk | $10,000 | A building suffered roof damage. |
| April 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Countywide | $10,000 | Roof damage. Power lines and trees downed. |
| November 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland | $10,000 | SEVERAL TREES AND POWER LINES WERE DOWN ACROSS THE TOWN. |
| April 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Pennville | $8,000 | Emergency management surveyed damage at a residence in the 6000 block of N SR 1. A large area of shingles was blown off the west facing side of a home and dropped on the northeast side of the home. An older hog barn suffered extensive roof damage. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Boundary City | $7,500 | Several pieces of metal lofted into nearby corn fields near the intersection of S 200 E and E 650 S. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Boundary City | $5,000 | Four large trees snapped and several limbs down in the 3900 block of East Treaty Line Rd near Boundary City. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Bellfountain | $5,000 | Multiple trees down at 600 E and 100 S near Belfountain. Additional trees down at State Road 26 and 800 E. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Salamonia | $5,000 | Tree down onto unoccupied car. Time estimated from radar. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland | $5,000 | Multiple trees down. Time estimated by radar. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland | $5,000 | Multiple trees were downed near Jay County High School and surrounding areas. |
| June 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | $5,000 | Trees and a utility pole were reported down north Dunknownirk. |
| August 2003 | Tornado (F1) | Redkey | $2,500 | The tornado briefly crossed into Jay county from Delaware county, before dissipating. Before lifting, the tornado destroyed a garage 3 tenths of a mile south of the intersection of State Route 67 and County Road 1250W. No injuries were reported and no damage estimates were available. |
| April 1957 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $2,500 | no account filed |
| August 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Powers | $2,000 | A tree and power lines were down according to the Emergency Manager. |
| March 2024 | Hail | Center | $1,500 | no account filed |
| March 2024 | Hail | Fiat | $1,500 | no account filed |
| March 2026 | Hail | Pleasant Ridge | $1,000 | Photo on Facebook shows quarter size hail. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Redkey | $1,000 | Emergency manager reports large pine tree down. |
| July 2025 | Flash Flood | Portland | $1,000 | Storm chaser reports 3 inches of water covering the road at the intersection of West Votaw Street and North Meridian Street in Portland. |
| July 2025 | Flash Flood | Boundary City | $1,000 | Video showing an estimated 1-2 inches of water covering Treaty Line Rd near Boundary City and southeast of town. Flooding also goes into nearby corn fields. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland | $1,000 | Jay County Sheriffs Office reports that 100 S is closed between 100 E and 300 E due to power lines down accross the road. Time estimated via radar. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Salamonia | $1,000 | Tree down at 5773 E and 400 S in Salamonia. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Center | $1,000 | Tree down at 350 W and 200 N in Portland. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Bellfountain | $1,000 | A tree was reported down across State Line Road. |
| May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland | $1,000 | Tree down on a car. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland Steed Arpt | - | Recorded wind gust from AWOS station KPLD 1 N Portland. |
| September 2024 | Tornado (EFU) | Blaine | - | Drone footage shows evidence of a short track tornado in a corn field just east of the Salamonie river south of CR W 75 before it dissipated. Given the lack of an defined DI, the tornado will be classified as an EFU. |
| March 2023 | Tornado (EF0) | Salamonia | - | A tornado touched down at a residence south of E Co Rd 300 S and West of S Co Rd 500 E near Salamonia, IN. The tornado crossed E 300 S and also S Co Rd 600 E before dissipating in a field. Debris was lofted northeast causing damage to three newer barns as well as either pushing over or partially carrying empty grain bins. Maximum width was 175 yards with peak winds estimated to be around 85 MPH. |
| March 2023 | Tornado (EF0) | Pleasant Ridge | - | A tornado touched down near the intersection of N CR 200 E and E|CR 200 N and tracked NE, crossing E CR 300 N before dissipating|over an open field. 2 barns were impacted with wall and roof|damage as well as broken trees and power poles. Maximum winds|were estimated around 80 mph with a maximum width of 100 yards. |
| March 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Antioch | - | The public reported a play set and trampoline was blown over. |
| June 2021 | Tornado (EF2) | Westchester | - | A tornado developed approximately 3 miles southeast of Bryant Indiana around 350 PM EDT and rapidly strengthened to EF-2 category as the tornado tracked east-southeast, damaging or destroying several rural homes and farmsteads and felled a 100 foot communications tower. The tornado then weakened briefly as the parent storm turned hard right and reintensified into a multi-vortex, 500 yard wide EF-2 tornado as it tracked south-southeast, hitting several more farmsteads with damaged homes and destroyed farm buildings and killing several cattle. The parent storm and tornado both weakened thereafter with the tornado finally lifting/dissipating in an open field approximately 8 miles southeast of Bryant Indiana. Estimated peak winds of 130 mph. |
| June 2021 | Hail | Dunkirk | - | A trained spotter reported dime to quarter size hail. |
| June 2021 | Hail | Redkey | - | Broadcast media shared a report of 1.75 inch hail. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Portland Steed Arpt | - | Wind gust measured at the mesonet station at KPLD. |
| June 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Fiat | - | A 10 inch diameter tree as well as numerous tree limbs to six inches in diameter were blown down. |
| June 2018 | Hail | Fiat | - | The public reported the hail continued for nearly five minutes. |
The Survey's mineral resources record lists 2 workings inside this county. All of them still produce. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Sand and Gravel, Construction | 1 |
| Stone, Crushed/Broken | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Aggregates Sand & Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Portland Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Producer |
History of Jay 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 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noble Township | Bellfountain, Brice, Noble | 41 words | 1 | |
| Wabash Township | Jay City, New Corydon, Trinity | 339 words | 0 | |
| Wayne Township | College Corner, Liber, Portland | 38,791 words | 7 |
2 books written about this county, cut here where the book itself is cut, at its printed chapters: 9 chapters in all. Every chapter is public domain, machine-read from the scan and reproduced complete. A chapter already given under one of the county's towns is not repeated in this list.
| Chapter | Length |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1: The First Family in Jay County | 2,773 words |
| Chapter 2: The Second Family of Settlers | 8,706 words |
| Chapter with an unread heading (no. 3 of those read) | 10,041 words |
| Chapter 11: Oraanization of the County | 1,604 words |
| Chapter 12: Coukts Officers - Attoknets | 10,698 words |
| Chapter with an unread heading (no. 6 of those read) | 5,610 words |
| Chapter with an unread heading (no. 7 of those read) | 2,546 words |
| Chapter with an unread heading (no. 8 of those read) | 9,717 words |
| Chapter | Length |
|---|---|
| The whole text | 164,792 words in 11 parts |
Everyone History of Jay 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 1864.
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.
Noble township · 47371 · On Sycamore Fork · Fort Recovery quadrangle
14 sheets, 1915 to 1986
Jefferson township · 47371 · On Jeff Run · Ridgeville quadrangle
12 sheets, 1953 to 1986
Madison township · 47371 · On Madison Creek · Fort Recovery quadrangle
14 sheets, 1915 to 1986
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