Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1878 — Rensselaer.—By Mattie McCoy. [ARTICLE]

Rensselaer.—By Mattie McCoy.

Rensselaer, the capital ot Jasper county, is situated oiyAhe rapids of the Iroquois. It is an alTfiictive little town. Its inhabitants number between one thousand and twelve hundred. The principal streets are: Washington, Van Rensselaer, Front and Elmwood Avenue. 'i'b« Court house i* situated in the central part of town. It is-a brick tiruelure, containing a court room and eight offices, it was built in 1806. It is in the midst of a large yard, on which is the town pump. The most important business houses urc on Washington street. Thv-v are: six dry goods stores, three gro*eerv stores, two drug store*, three hardware stores, tw* boot attd shoe stores, three hotels, several law offices, two newspaper offices, doctor's offices, n bank and several mechanics' shops. Tho churches arc four in number; Mvthodist, Presbyterian, Baptist nod Christian. The Methodist church is in the southeastern pnrt of town, the Presbyterian and Baptist in the northeastern, the Christian in the northwestern. The cemetery is in the western portion of town, near the Christian church. On Front street is a grist mill; and near the coiner of Washington and Front streets is a uilftpiiliiied building called the saw mill. In this tow n is au artesian well the waters of which are said to have medicinal qualities. Near this well is Thompson Park. It was recently laid out wul has not been improved agreol denl. On it is a natural pond of water and 'many handsome nativcf it is enclosed with an elegant board fence. Judging by the improvements made last year, it will be n park of great attractiveness at a future day. The Rensselaer public school building is situated on Front street. It is a frame structure of two stories, containing live departments- Primary A, under the charge of Miss Boroughs: Primary B, MUs Benjamin; Inter median-, .Miss Price; Grammar, Mr. Wright; High School, Mr. Allen. The number of pupils enrolled is 251. A division of the Indianapolis, Delphi ft Chicago railway has just been completed to Keussetuer. The town is growing, and- hopes are entertained that at some futuie day it will be numbered among tlte great cities of the land.