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Our People Make the Difference!
History of Woodburn
History of Woodburn
In 1865 Joseph Edgerton and Joseph Smith platted the town of Woodburn, or Phelps
Station as it was called at that time. The two men chose this area due to the abundant
timber, fertile ground, and nearby river. After two large, accidental fires in the area
Joseph Edgerton sent his son Edward Edgerton to Woodburn to sell off large tracts of
land for farming.
This area was first known as Phelp Station due to the train depot. There were five
families and a Post Office. In September of 1865 the town was again platted with the
name Woodburn due to the enormous wood burnings to clear the land. Then in 1895 a
group of local men decided to incorporate the town into Shirley City in honor of Senator
Robert B Shirley. Once again in 1956 a special meeting was called where the decision
was made to return the name to Woodburn and officially become the smallest 5th class
city in Indiana.
The hard working pioneers who migrated to this area are to be commended for clearing
the land for cultivation and implementing the drainage system. This cleared the way for
commerce in the city. Stucky Brothers started their business in Woodburn selling farm
implements and repair. The grain elevator and train station were the leading businesses
in the early days. Soon the small city became self contained with everything from a
bank, to grocery stores, drug store, furniture, doctors, blacksmith, restaurants, taverns,
stockyard, hotel, butcher shop, brick and tile mill, automobiles, schools and churches.
Due to limited roads and abundant local business, community members did not have to
travel outside of Woodburn for their basic needs. With each passing year Woodburn
continues to change.
By Gaylen Stetler of the Woodburn Historical Society
References: Home Community U.S.A. and Bringing Back the Good Old Days
In 1865 Joseph Edgerton and Joseph Smith platted the town of Woodburn, or Phelps
Station as it was called at that time. The two men chose this area due to the abundant
timber, fertile ground, and nearby river. After two large, accidental fires in the area
Joseph Edgerton sent his son Edward Edgerton to Woodburn to sell off large tracts of
land for farming.
This area was first known as Phelp Station due to the train depot. There were five
families and a Post Office. In September of 1865 the town was again platted with the
name Woodburn due to the enormous wood burnings to clear the land. Then in 1895 a
group of local men decided to incorporate the town into Shirley City in honor of Senator
Robert B Shirley. Once again in 1956 a special meeting was called where the decision
was made to return the name to Woodburn and officially become the smallest 5th class
city in Indiana.
The hard working pioneers who migrated to this area are to be commended for clearing
the land for cultivation and implementing the drainage system. This cleared the way for
commerce in the city. Stucky Brothers started their business in Woodburn selling farm
implements and repair. The grain elevator and train station were the leading businesses
in the early days. Soon the small city became self contained with everything from a
bank, to grocery stores, drug store, furniture, doctors, blacksmith, restaurants, taverns,
stockyard, hotel, butcher shop, brick and tile mill, automobiles, schools and churches.
Due to limited roads and abundant local business, community members did not have to
travel outside of Woodburn for their basic needs. With each passing year Woodburn
continues to change.
By Gaylen Stetler of the Woodburn Historical Society
References: Home Community U.S.A. and Bringing Back the Good Old Days