Attica
Indiana
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City Of Attica
In 1861, a covered wagon bridge was built over the Wabash followed by an iron bridge after the wooden bridge was destroyed in the cyclone of 1886. The present structure was dedicated on June 23, 1983, and is also called the Paul Dresser Bridge which was the name of the previous bridge built in 1922 that had deteriorated and was closed. This bridge is the main connecting link between Fountain and Warren counties.
Early in the 1990's, the Attica Park Board, composed of Butch Swift, Carolyn Helms, Rick Turpin, and Dale Maus, caused an overlook and walkway to be constructed as a pearl of the Wabash River Corridor and it was opened to pedestrian traffic in the fall of 1993. Through the care and dedicated work of the Park Board, another feature was added to the ambience of the city for its citizens and visitors.
Attica was incorporated as a town in June 1849. In 1850, the first order for street improvements was levied. in 1865, $150 was appropriated to cover, in part, the expense of a grand celebration "in honor of Union victories and the downfall of the Rebellion." The next morning joy turned to sorrow at the news of Lincoln's assassination. In 1866, Attica elected its first mayor, John Gass, originally a citizen of neighboring Warren County. He had been elected to the office of Trustee there. Highly respected at the time of his moving to Attica, his reputation remained untarnished as mayor. In the same year, the city charter was obtained, and in 1966, the 100th Anniversary was celebrated.
The first telephone service in Attica was provided by the Milford-Whitehall Telephone Company, which started in 1895. The office was located on the second story of 213 South Perry Street. After several ownerships, the name was changed to be Attica Telephone Company. In 1919, a semi-automatic system was installed at 1048 West Mill Street. Indiana Bell Telephone purchased the system, and, in October 1980, the commercial business office was closed, leaving only the plant department remaining.
Harry L. Kramer incorporated the Sterling Remedy Company in 1896 and built up such a large business with advertising matter and circular letters for the company that volume grew to the point where over $30,000 in postage stamps was purchased in one year, making the Attica Post Office advance to one of second class with city mail delivery starting 14 February 1898. With a population of less than 3,000, Attica then bore the distinction of being the smallest town in the United States enjoying such postal facilities.
The building of the Carnegie Library in Attica was made possible by a gift of $10,000 from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It was opened to the public in 1904. After alomost 60 years of use there was need for new flooring and modern equipment which was made possible in 1964 by a gift from former Attica, Wilber Allen, now deceased, of St. Clairsville, Ohio. The site of the library is in the former Washington Park and is still in the same location.
Under the leadership of progressive library boards headed first by Bob Maus and later by Carol Overpeck DeSutter, an extensive remodeling and expansion was instituted. Funding was secured and internal and external refinements by the boards make the library one of the premier buildings in the city, if not the entire area. Not only is there expanded space for library media of all kinds, the facility now can accommodate groups for meeting purposes, and possesses up-to-date library techniques making the facility a showplace of which the entire community can be proud.
An Opera House was erected in 1884 by J.S. Nave and Dr. J.T. Rice. It was used for a short time as a roller skating rink while the stage and dressing rooms were being completed. The acoustics were perfect and the Musical Art Society produced amateur theatricals, lecture courses, concerts, and opera. Today the Harrison Hills Country Club provides its facilities for the Attica Musical Arts organization. The group, spearheaded by local businessman and community supporter Wade C. Harrison, brings to the community concert quality musicians for presentations open to the public.
Industry play an important economic role in the city. The principal industries are Harrison Steel Casting Company, C & D Batteries, Myers Steel Fabrication Company, and Radio Materials Company.
Early in the 1990's, the Attica Park Board, composed of Butch Swift, Carolyn Helms, Rick Turpin, and Dale Maus, caused an overlook and walkway to be constructed as a pearl of the Wabash River Corridor and it was opened to pedestrian traffic in the fall of 1993. Through the care and dedicated work of the Park Board, another feature was added to the ambience of the city for its citizens and visitors.
Attica was incorporated as a town in June 1849. In 1850, the first order for street improvements was levied. in 1865, $150 was appropriated to cover, in part, the expense of a grand celebration "in honor of Union victories and the downfall of the Rebellion." The next morning joy turned to sorrow at the news of Lincoln's assassination. In 1866, Attica elected its first mayor, John Gass, originally a citizen of neighboring Warren County. He had been elected to the office of Trustee there. Highly respected at the time of his moving to Attica, his reputation remained untarnished as mayor. In the same year, the city charter was obtained, and in 1966, the 100th Anniversary was celebrated.
The first telephone service in Attica was provided by the Milford-Whitehall Telephone Company, which started in 1895. The office was located on the second story of 213 South Perry Street. After several ownerships, the name was changed to be Attica Telephone Company. In 1919, a semi-automatic system was installed at 1048 West Mill Street. Indiana Bell Telephone purchased the system, and, in October 1980, the commercial business office was closed, leaving only the plant department remaining.
Harry L. Kramer incorporated the Sterling Remedy Company in 1896 and built up such a large business with advertising matter and circular letters for the company that volume grew to the point where over $30,000 in postage stamps was purchased in one year, making the Attica Post Office advance to one of second class with city mail delivery starting 14 February 1898. With a population of less than 3,000, Attica then bore the distinction of being the smallest town in the United States enjoying such postal facilities.
The building of the Carnegie Library in Attica was made possible by a gift of $10,000 from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It was opened to the public in 1904. After alomost 60 years of use there was need for new flooring and modern equipment which was made possible in 1964 by a gift from former Attica, Wilber Allen, now deceased, of St. Clairsville, Ohio. The site of the library is in the former Washington Park and is still in the same location.
Under the leadership of progressive library boards headed first by Bob Maus and later by Carol Overpeck DeSutter, an extensive remodeling and expansion was instituted. Funding was secured and internal and external refinements by the boards make the library one of the premier buildings in the city, if not the entire area. Not only is there expanded space for library media of all kinds, the facility now can accommodate groups for meeting purposes, and possesses up-to-date library techniques making the facility a showplace of which the entire community can be proud.
An Opera House was erected in 1884 by J.S. Nave and Dr. J.T. Rice. It was used for a short time as a roller skating rink while the stage and dressing rooms were being completed. The acoustics were perfect and the Musical Art Society produced amateur theatricals, lecture courses, concerts, and opera. Today the Harrison Hills Country Club provides its facilities for the Attica Musical Arts organization. The group, spearheaded by local businessman and community supporter Wade C. Harrison, brings to the community concert quality musicians for presentations open to the public.
Industry play an important economic role in the city. The principal industries are Harrison Steel Casting Company, C & D Batteries, Myers Steel Fabrication Company, and Radio Materials Company.