Auburn

History

Auburn's site on Cedar Creek was chosen by Wesley Park and John Badlam Howe at the intersection of two major trails, Goshen-Defiance Road and Coldwater Road, and next to the land of John Houlton. The name for the community likely came from "The Deserted Village" by Oliver Goldsmith, that begins "Sweet Auburn! Loveliest village of the plain." The plat of the Village of Auburn is dated April 21, 1836, but it was held by Howe and not recorded until March 12, 1879. John Drury purchased the first lot (Lot 73) for $25.00 on September 5, 1837. The first store was built at Park's corners by Thomas Freeman, applying for a license on March 5, 1838, and bringing supplies by horseback from Fort Wayne. Daniel Altenburg, Levi Walsworth, the Sherlock family, Samuel Sprott, David Weave, David Shoemaker, Henry Curtis, Lyman Childsey, James Cosper, and David Cosper were among the early residents. A post office was established in 1839. In 1841, malaria ran through the town, and in 1843 a terrible storm wreaked havoc on cabins and crops. The Church of God was built by the Presbyterians in 1846. The Village of Auburn was incorporated in 1849, divided into wards, and governed under a town board and constable. By the end of the American Civil War, the town included over 700 inhabitants. The storm of September 29, 1872, destroyed Odd Fellow's Hall and damaged the Methodist Episcopal church. A few months later, on April 6, 1873, the new brick block of Seventh Street (Snyder's Building) collapsed, also destroying the Ensley Building. Auburn Water and Lights was constructed in 1898. The change in status to the City of Auburn on March 26, 1900, followed a referendum. Notable citizen Charles Eckhart erected a public library and a YMCA building. The Auburn Automobile Company, which…

Geography

Auburn is located north of Fort Wayne in Northern Indiana. According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of , all land. Most of Auburn is located in Union civil township. Portions of Jackson and Keyser civil townships are also within the city limits. Auburn has typical continental weather with very warm summers and very cold winters. Average January temperatures are a high of and a low of . Average July temperatures are a high of and a low of . There are an average of 13.1 days with highs of or higher and an average of 136.8 days with lows of or lower. The record high temperature was on June 26, 1988. The record low temperature was on January 21, 1984. Average annual precipitation in Auburn is . The wettest month is normally June, with an average of . The wettest year was 1985 with and the driest year was 1964 with . The most precipitation in one month was in June 1981. The most precipitation in 24 hours was on August 20, 1904. There is an average of of snow each year. The snowiest season was 1981–82 with , including in January 1982. The most snowfall in 24 hours was on January 26, 1978.

Race & ethnicity