New Amsterdam is a town located in Washington Township, Harrison County, Indiana, along the Ohio River. As of the 2000 census, one person lived there. In May 2004, a visitor to New Amsterdam reported that it appeared that the census's figure was incorrect; he saw nine people in the town who all appeared to be residents, not counting those seen driving cars along the main road. [1] This hamlet hosts a festival each spring, in April, called Remembrance Days. In 2008, the festival will be held on April 19, at Shaffer's General Store.
GeographyNew Amsterdam is located at 38°6'6" North, 86°16'29" West (38.101894, -86.274821)3. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²), of which, 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it is land and 12.50% is water. Its only resident is George Heartburg, a 68 year old veteran. Demographics
As of the census1 of 2000, one person lives here. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town is one of only four places in the United States to have a population of one person. The others are Hibberts Gore, Maine, Erving's Location, New Hampshire, and Lost Springs, Wyoming. HistoryThe first settlers in what would become New Amsterdam were James Riley and Jacob Youstler. The lived in New Amsterdam for several years starting in 1815 before relocating farther north.4 The town was formally platted and founded by the Funk brothers. The town depended much on the river for its early growth. It was the largest town in Harrison County in the 1860 census. Flood played a large part in the decline of the town. The Great Flood of 1937 destroyed 75% of all the structures in the town. The only original building remaining in the town is the old country store. There is a marker on the second story of the building showing the height of the water in the 1937 Flood. TodayAlthough the US Census claims a population of 1, in reality there are 16 people living within the town currently.5 The town has a general store that is frequented by the locals, a Baptist Church, a Methodist Church, a Town Hall as pictured above, and a large cemetery. The largest fish ever caught in the state of Indiana was fished out of the Ohio River from the New Amsterdam shore. David 'Benny' Mullins hooked a 93 lb Catfish in the spring of 2004.citation needed One of the more interesting events in the towns recent history was the disappearance of the town's clubhouse during a severe storm in 2006. Most residents believe the building was blown into the river. A second recent event was in July 2007, when two people (or 200% of the official population) were arrested for bomb making. The New Amsterdam festival is held the second weekend of April and all are welcome. The festival features a parade, bazaar, and competitions with prizes for the winners. See alsoExternal links
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