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White County, Indiana

31 topographic sheets cover 24 settlements here, and 5 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

5 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Indiana within the United States
White County within Indiana

What the record shows

  • 216 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 5 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 4 buildings and 1 district.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 24 populated places in this county; 24 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

5

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 PropertyType ListedReference
Monon Commercial Historic Districtdistrict200000000672
Monticello Carnegie Librarybuilding201313000428
James Culbertson Reynolds Housebuilding198282000054
South Grade School Buildingbuilding198585002136
White County Asylumbuilding201010000857

Storms, 1954 to 2025

60 of 263 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 263 reports for this county, causing 10 deaths, 75 injuries and about $5,541,530 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind150
Hail62
Tornado27
Flash Flood19
Flood3
Funnel Cloud1
Heavy Rain1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
April 1974Tornado (F4)not stated10 killed, 73 hurtno account filed
June 1994Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurt, $500,000A mobile home was blown over south of Monticello. Near Wolcott a barn was heavily damaged, and a person was injured.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindCountywide1 hurt, $45,000Wind damage was reported in several parts of White county as a result of 50 to 70 mph wind gusts. 4 semi trailers were blown off I-65 between mile markers 191 and 198. Three of them were northbound and the other southbound. One of the drivers suffered minor injuries as a result of the upset truck. A large tree fell onto a medical building in Monon as well as a ash tree being blown over in the area. Other reports of trees and tree limbs were reported in Burnettsville, Reynolds and Buffalo. A circa 1900 wooden barn in Reynolds that once held cart race horses was blown down.
January 2008Flash FloodNorway$2,000,000Snow melt,a partially frozen ground and rainfall ranging from four to seven inches across much of White county, resulted in high water levels behind Norway Dam, forcing the release of record flows through the dam, which at its peak exceeded 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) between 8 and 10 am EST on January 8th. A flood emergency was declared around 8 am EST by dam and White County officials and numerous residents south of the dam, including portions of the city of Monticello, were placed under mandatory evactuation orders. Over 100 families were assisted or rescued as flood waters rapidly rose. The Norway Campground, located near the dam, had approximately 70 seasonal occupied trailers that were evacuated. Many of the trailers were destroyed either by the water or being thrown against trees. Numerous roads and a few bridges over the Tippecanoe River either had caution advised or even closed briefly during the peak flow times. Discharge rates were able to be trimmed back below 22,000 cfs during the late morning hours of January 9th, which allowed the threat for the need of additonal evacuations and closures to be reduced. Despite the lower flows, many residents remained evacuated into January 12th. No exact damage figures were available, but are estimated at upwards of 2 million dollars.
March 2009Flash FloodNorway$1,000,000Heavy rainfall which occurred across the Tippecanoe basin resulted in the flood gates being opened at the Norway dam. Peak flows through the gates reached around 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), resulting in widespread flooding downstream into the eastern part of Monticello. Evacuations occurred in many areas with numerous residences and businesses suffering water damage. Damage has been estimated to be at least 1 million dollars. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities related to the flooding.
January 2008FloodWolcott$250,000Widespread flooding of many creeks, streams, low areas and small towns occurred as a result of anywhere from 5 to locally as much as 7 inches of rain across much of northern White county. Several inches of snow also rapidly melted, contributing to flooding. Portions of several towns, including Monon, Wolcott, Buffalo and Reynolds were under water, in some places over a foot deep. While the significant flooding subsided during the day of January 9th, numerous areas of standing water persisted well into the 10th. Exact damage figures are not available at this time, but are estimated around $250,000.
May 1970Tornado (F0)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1968Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1962Tornado (F0)not stated$250,000no account filed
February 2018FloodGarwood Arpt$230,000The heavy rainfall in the Tippecanoe River basin forced dam flows in excess of 20,000 CFS. This caused extensive flooding downstream of the dam with some neighborhoods having to have assistance evacuating and some water rescues due to rapid rises. The Diamond Point area near Monticello was impacted by the flood waters. Damage is estimated in excess of 230,000 dollars.
June 2010Tornado (EF0)Chalmers$200,000A survey of damage in eastern White county revealed indications of a weak circulation touching down just south of County Road East 450 South, on County Road South 300 East. The circulation passed over a farm where tree damage occurred as it moved east. Skylights from a shed were blown towards the east with one being found behind a house. Damage was done to roofing of a new pole barn and several items were thrown into a field towards a grove of trees. The tornado began to intensify somewhat but remained over open fields until reaching the Stone Drive area on the west side of Lake Freeman where numerous trees (DI: TS, DOD: 3) were uprooted with some structure damage. The tornado then exited White County over Lake Freeman into Carroll County (see Storm Data for Indiana, Central). Maximum winds are estimated to range between 80 and 85 mph. Damage is estimated at $200,000 from a combination of cleanup of trees and structure damage.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindMonticello$100,000White County has several trees and power poles down. Reports of damage to houses and buildings. A church in Reynolds lost its steeple. A tree fell into the front room of a house. Siding was blown off a house in Reynolds. A tree fell onto a car in Monticello.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindNorway$50,000Numerous trees, tree limbs, power lines and poles were blown down across the county. At least one gustnado was sighted by a county sheriff deputy. It touched down in an open field and then lifted without damage. Two large trees fell onto a residence on Ireland St in Monticello causing some roof damage, but luckily no injuries to those home at the time eating supper.
September 2004Flash FloodMonon$50,000Emergency management reported flooding in downtown Monon with flash flooding reported. A car dealership and a trailer park had flood damage...with flooding at the Monon Fire Dept.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindBuffalo$45,000Emergency management officials surveyed the area and found one-half of a trailer home roof had been blown off. Minor damage was observed to other mobile homes as well. In addition, the crossing gate on a railroad crossing at 900 South and State Route 43 was broken off. Damage is estimated at $45,000.
July 2017Tornado (EF0)Idaville$40,000The tornado touched down in a grove of trees northwest of the intersection of CR 1150 E and 475 N. The tornado proceeded rapidly southeast impacting the edge of residence near the same intersection. Shingle damage was noted on all sides of the house with several tree limbs down. A garage suffered damage as the winds moved through a north facing door. The tornado crossed 1150 E and uprooted or snapped several trees with the winds picking up a porch and most of a roof on a 1 story home. The porch was thrown to the other side of the house and the roof lifted roughly 3 feet up and then set back down. Wall and roof damage has made house unsafe to be in. Damage was noted in corn field behind property with some tree and barn roof damage on 1250 E where the tornado appears to have lifted. Maximum winds were estimated at 85 mph.
November 1998Thunderstorm WindMonticello$30,000WIDESPREAD DAMAGE OCCURRED TO TREES...POWER LINES...SIGNS AND POWER POLES ACROSS THE TOWN.
May 2006Thunderstorm WindWolcott$25,000Eyewitness reported several weak circulations in contact with the ground across western White county, starting south of Wolcott and heading east into Monticello. These circulations were associated with gust fronts from several rapidly developing thunderstorms across the area. Video footage of some of these circulations supported the conclusion that a combination of straight line winds and brief gustnadoes, were responsible for sporadic damage in and west of Monticello. This included trees and tree limbs down as well as minor structure damage to homes and barns. The storm that moved east into Monticello merged with a storm moving in from the south west. This resulted in a rapid intensification of the storm and a resultant tornado east of Monticello. This is covered in a seperate entry.
May 2005Thunderstorm WindWolcott$25,00012 large trees uprooted. Large branches fell onto house, causing damage. New 2 car garage, with garage doors open, was destroyed. A machine shed with its doors open and a storage shed were both destroyed.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindMonticello$25,000Extensive tree and power line damage reported in town with electric and telephone service out to much of the town.
July 1961Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 1958Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
October 2001Thunderstorm WindCountywide$15,000Emergency manager reported trees and power lines down countywide with roof damage to several structures including barns and small business facilities.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindChalmers$10,000Power poles down on 150 E near Chalmers.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindWolcott$10,000A tree was blown down onto power lines in Wolcott, causing the partial closure of US 24. Other reports of trees, power lines and poles were received between Wolcott and Monticello.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindCountywide$10,000Numerous trees and power lines were reported down across the county.
June 2000Thunderstorm WindWolcott$10,000Roof blown off of a restaurant.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindWolcott$10,000Numerous trees and power lines blown down.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindBrookston$8,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindGuernsey$5,000Large tree snapped in half about 10 feet up. Also, three 12-foot diameter trees snapped at the base.
March 2023Thunderstorm WindReynolds$5,000The Emergency manager reported a large tree was downed.
March 2023Thunderstorm WindNorway$5,000A few small tree limbs down and a few shingles blown off a roof.
March 2009Thunderstorm WindMonticello$5,000Emergency management officials reported scattered trees and power lines down around Monticello.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindMonticello$5,000Trees and powerlines down in Monticello reported by county sheriff department.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindBrookston$5,000Trees and powerlines down in Brookston reported by spotters.
June 1994Thunderstorm Windnot stated$5,000Thunderstorm winds blew over a semi-trailor on Interstate 65 near United States Highway 24.
August 1993Thunderstorm WindCountywide$5,000Trees and power poles were downed east of Monticello.
April 1967Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
March 1956Tornadonot stated$2,500no account filed
June 1954Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500no account filed
July 2005Thunderstorm WindBrookston$2,000Power lines and poles were blown down.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindGuernsey$1,000Tree down at Indiana Beach Campground.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindBuffalo and$1,000Trees were blown down between Buffalo and Burnettsville. Power lines were blown down at Brookston.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindBrookston$1,000Trees were blown down between Buffalo and Burnettsville. Power lines were blown down at Brookston.
March 2009Thunderstorm WindReynolds$500The public reported the fabric cover to a building being blown off as well as shingle damage to a house.
October 2001Thunderstorm WindChalmers$500Trained spotter reported trees down and a TV and Radio tower down in Chalmers.
June 1963Tornado (F0)not stated$30no account filed
March 2023Tornado (EF2)Badger Grove-After impacting Benton County, the tornado continued into White county. Damage consisted primarily of downed trees, power poles, and damaged farm outbuildings. However there were several homes damaged, two significantly.
March 2023Tornado (EF0)Smithson-A tornado touched down in an open field south of West Smithson Road|and west of South CR 75W. A wind turbine blade was bent over and|another snapped off as it moved quickly NNE causing significant|damage to a pole barn and throwing 2 empty silos into a field|north of Smithson Rd. The tornado paralleled CR 75 causing minor|tree damage before lifting south of CR 100 S. Maximum winds are|estimated at 80 to 85 mph with a width of 125 yards. A wind speed|rating cannot be assigned to the turbine blade, but the speed|could be higher than the estimated range.
March 2022Thunderstorm WindReynolds-The public reported a tree was snapped over a house with damage to the roof of the residence.
March 2022Thunderstorm WindGuernsey-Local media relayed a 74 mph wind gust from the public.
March 2022Thunderstorm WindWolcott-Local media reported nine large trees were uprooted.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindWhite Co Arpt-White County Airport in Monticello.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindReynolds-Multiple trees and power lines down.
October 2021Thunderstorm WindWhite Co Arpt-Local media reported a grain auger was picked up and destroyed near County Road 450 East and Chalmers Road.
October 2021Thunderstorm WindSeafield-Trained spotters reported a three to four foot diameter tree was blown down.
October 2021Thunderstorm WindWolcott-Local media reported a semi was blown over just east of Wolcott on US-24. No reports of injuries were received.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindWolcott-Large limb broke off healthy tree and entangled in power line. Limb was 10 to 12 inches in diamater. Time estimated from radar.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindSeafield-WLFI relayed report of crop damage from wind and hail.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindBrookston-EM reported downed trees, limbs, and power lines in town.

Mines and quarries

3 recorded

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/Broken2
Stone1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
White Co. Hwy. Dept.StoneProducer
Monon Crushed Stone Inc.Ls QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Monon QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer

Every populated place in the county

24

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.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.