Warsaw, Indiana

Warsaw is a city in and the county seat of Kosciusko County, Indiana, United States. Cradled among Winona Lake, Pike Lake, Hidden Lake and Center Lake, Warsaw has a population of 13,559 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.

Etymology
Warsaw, named for the capital of Poland in tribute to Tadeusz Kościuszko, was platted on October 21, 1836.

History
Early Warsaw contained traders, trappers, and merchants supplying manufactured goods to area farmers. Because of the central location in the lake region, tourists soon began visiting Warsaw and eventually made permanent residences in the city, with industry soon following.

In March 1854, Warsaw became a town, and the initial census on February 2, 1854 showed a total of 752 residents in the town limits. The Pennsylvania Railroad (then known as the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad) reached Warsaw in November 1854. The Big Four Railroad (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St Louis) arrived in Warsaw in August 1870.

Gas lights were installed in August 1880. Telephone lines were strung in 1882, with Dr. Eggleston having the first phone. The waterworks were constructed in 1885. Gas was supplemented with electricity in 1897, but gas was still used in many homes until 1915.

In 1895, Revra DePuy founded DePuy Manufacturing in Warsaw to make wire mesh and wooden splints, becoming the world's first manufacturer of orthopedic appliances. In 1905, DePuy hired Justin Zimmer as a splint salesman. Zimmer broke away from DePuy in 1927 to start his own orthopedic company with Joe Ettinger in the basement of Ettinger. Warsaw is now known as the "orthopaedic capital of the world."

Geography
Warsaw is located at 41.24056°N, -85.84694°W (41.240564, -85.847002) and occupies the area between Pike Lake, Hidden Lake and Center Lake (to the north) and Winona Lake (to the southeast). The Tippecanoe River passes through the West portion of Warsaw. U.S. Route 30 and Indiana State Road 15 both pass through town, while Indiana State Road 25 begins on West Market Street while traffic is routed to West Winona Avenue along with State Road 15 after US Route 30 bypassed the downtown area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.92 sqmi, of which 11.58 sqmi is land and 1.34 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 13,559 people, 5,461 households, and 3,311 families residing in the city. The population density was 1170.9 PD/sqmi. There were 6,066 housing units at an average density of 523.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.5% White, 1.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 4.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.4% of the population.

There were 5,461 households of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.4% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 34.8 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.2% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 12,415 people, 4,794 households, and 3,068 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,184.6 people per square mile (457.4/km²). There were 5,101 housing units at an average density of 486.7 per square mile (187.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.50% White, 1.41% African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.25% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.21% of the population. There were 4,794 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,564, and the median income for a family was $45,153. Males had a median income of $33,322 versus $22,284 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,262. About 6.8% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Warsaw has an elected mayor, clerk and city council-style of government. Officials are elected for four-year terms. Warsaw's current mayor is Republican Dr. Joseph Thallemer, who has served since January 1, 2012.

Representatives - common council
The Warsaw Common Council is a seven-member legislative group that serve four-year terms. Five of the members represent specific districts; two are elected city-wide as at-large council members.


 * Elaine Call: At-large
 * Cindy Dobbins: At-large
 * Jeff Grose: 1st district
 * Charles D. Smith: 2nd district
 * Mike Klondaris: 3rd district
 * William "Jerry" Frush: 4th district
 * Diane Quance: 5th district & Current President of the Council


 * Lynne Christiansen: Clerk Treasurer

Economy


Warsaw, known as the "Orthopaedic Capital of the World", is home to the first orthopedic device manufacturer, the DePuy Manufacturing Company, started in 1895 by Revra DePuy. Competitors, such as Zimmer, Inc. and Biomet, Inc., have subsequently been founded in Warsaw to support the industry. Several orthopedic suppliers are also present.

Other companies headquartered in Warsaw are Da-Lite, makers of commercial and home theater projection screens; RR Donnelley, a commercial printing press; Dalton Foundry, a malleable iron casting foundry; ABC Industries, a leader in mining ventilation products and industrial textile fabrics; Penguin Point, a regional fast-food chain; and PayLeap, a payment gateway service provider. Historically, Warsaw was home to the Biltwell Basket Company and to Explorer Van, founded by Bob Kesler.

Culture
Warsaw is home to the Wagon Wheel Theatre, which hosts local and national plays annually. Several taverns host live music by local musicians, including Rex's Rendezvous, a downtown landmark. North Pointe Cinemas, bowling alleys, and youth and senior centers are present. City Parks, the Lake City Greenway Trails, City County Athletic Complex (CCAC) and two golf courses offer citizens recreation. Central Park, which overlooks Center Lake, is host to regular concerts during the summer months. Underground art of the area is critically analyzed via General Thad, a very small, online culture magazine named after Tadeusz Kościuszko. The city has a notable Biblical garden.

Media
WLAB, Star 88.3, broadcasts to the community, via its translator on FM radio frequency 90.9 FM.

You can also listen to the best oldies in the Lake City area on Oldies 98.3, WIOE, where they are "Always Playing a Better Oldie." WRSW, "the heritage station" of the Warsaw community, broadcasts at 107.3 FM on the radio dial."Willie 103.5" WAWC began broadcasting in Warsaw in November 2006. ESPN 1480 (WRSW-AM, ESPN Radio affiliate) and 102.7 The Fan (WLEG, Fox Sports Radio affiliate) are both also from Warsaw

Education

 * Alternative Learning Center, public school · grades 9-12 · 680 students
 * Charter College of Health and Massage Therapy
 * Certified Natural Health Professionals · Natural Health Education and Certification
 * Edgewood Middle School, public school · grades 7-8 · 887 students
 * Eisenhower Elementary School, public school · grades K-6 · 523 students
 * Grace College - Warsaw Campus
 * Harrison Elementary School, public school . grades K-6 . 611 students
 * Indiana Tech - Warsaw Campus
 * Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne - Warsaw Campus
 * Ivy Tech Community College - North Central Campus
 * Lakeland Christian Academy, private school · grades 7-12 · 170 students
 * Lakeview Middle School, public school · grades 7-8 · 760 students
 * Lighthouse Christian Academy, private school · grades Pre K-12 454 students
 * Lincoln Elementary School, public school · grades K-6 · 456 students
 * Living Stone's Preparatory School, private school · grades Pre K-12
 * Madison Elementary School, public school · grades K-6 · 563 students
 * Monarch Christian Academy, private School · grades K-12 · 23 students
 * Sacred Heart School, private school · grades Pre K-6 · 206 students
 * Trinity School of Natural Health · Distance Learning Natural Health Education
 * Warsaw Christian School, private school · grades Pre K-6 · 240 students
 * Warsaw Community High School, public school · grades 9-12 · 1,947 students
 * Washington Elementary School, public school · grades K-6 · 555 students

Notable people

 * Ambrose Bierce, author of The Devil's Dictionary.
 * Theodore Dreiser, author of Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy; in 1935, his books were burned by the local library.
 * David C. Fisher, author, pastor
 * Rick Fox, former NBA basketball player who was discovered by Grace College coach Jim Kessler on a missions trip to the Bahamas and played basketball at Warsaw Community High School for Coach Al Rhodes during the 1984-1985 and 1985-1986 seasons. Played for the University of North Carolina men's basketball team.
 * Bryan Hickerson, former major league pitcher with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.
 * Merlin Hull, United States Representative from Wisconsin.
 * Hal Kratzsch, an original member of famed singing group The Four Freshmen.
 * Tom Metzger, an American white supremacist who founded White Aryan Resistance and formerly the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s.
 * Miles Plumlee, NBA basketball player Played for the Duke Blue Devils Men's Basketball team and was drafted in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft as a power forward/center by the Indiana Pacers, currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
 * Mason Plumlee, Played for the Duke Blue Devils Men's Basketball team and was a consensus 2013 Second Team All-American. Drafted in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets.
 * Matthew Rudkin, Chief Meteorologist at WSBT-TV in South Bend. 2006 Warsaw Community High School graduate.

In popular culture

 * Warsaw is featured in the 2006 video game, Splinter Cell: Essentials.
 * The 2008 documentary American Teen was filmed in Warsaw.
 * Warsaw is mentioned in the 4th season of the HBO Show Boardwalk Empire
 * Warsaw is mentioned in the 2011 film "I Am Number Four".