LaOtto, Indiana
Encyclopedia
LaOtto is a small town in southeastern Noble County, Indiana
. Located west of the current intersection of Indiana State Road 3
and Indiana State Road 205
, it is 16 miles north of Fort Wayne
and is also in close proximity to Kendallville
and Auburn
. Because of this, it is considered to be a bedroom community to these cities.
along the Mongoquinong Trail, which would later become Lima Plank Road. From 1856 to 1861, LaOtto was called Simon's Corners, a name taken from the local U.S. Post Office (and so named by cabinet maker and first Postmaster John Miller). Simon's Corners became Simonsville. From 1872 to 1875 it was called Grand Rapids Crossing, because it was the intersection of the north-south Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad and the east-west Eel River Railroad lines and the railroad did not like the name Simonsville. In 1875, the name LaOtto was proposed and petitioned by Lutheran minister Rev. B.F. Shultz and approved by the Noble County commissioners.
Though LaOtto is a small town, it played a role in the fight against slavery. LaOtto Wesleyan Church was a stopping point for slaves on the underground railroad during the 1850s and 1860s. Pastor Aaron Worth was a "conductor" on the underground railroad.
Originally having State Road 3 go through its town's limits, in 1990 a bypass and upgrade of State Road 3 was complete, and it now has a path just east of the town's limits.
. Elementary (Kindergarten-5th grade) students now attend Avilla Elementary School, in Avilla, Indiana
, after LaOtto Elementary School closed in 2008. Middle school (6th-8th grade) students attend East Noble Middle School, in Kendallville, Indiana
. High school (9th-12th grade) students attend East Noble High School, also in Kendallville, Indiana
.
Noble County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,275 people, 16,696 households, and 12,288 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile . There were 18,233 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
. Located west of the current intersection of Indiana State Road 3
Indiana State Road 3
State Road 3 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a discontinuous state road running through east central Indiana from near the Michigan state line to near the Ohio River...
and Indiana State Road 205
Indiana State Road 205
State Road 205 is a short north–south, largely rural surface highway in north-eastern Indiana. Although classified as north–south, it actually runs mostly in a north-easterly direction.-Route description:...
, it is 16 miles north of Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
and is also in close proximity to Kendallville
Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville is a city in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,862 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kendallville is located at ....
and Auburn
Auburn, Indiana
Auburn is a city in DeKalb County, Indiana, United States. The population was 13,086 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1836 by Wesley Park , the city is the county seat of DeKalb County. Auburn is also known as Home of the Classics.-Geography:...
. Because of this, it is considered to be a bedroom community to these cities.
History
LaOtto was established in the 1830s as settlers headed north out of Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
along the Mongoquinong Trail, which would later become Lima Plank Road. From 1856 to 1861, LaOtto was called Simon's Corners, a name taken from the local U.S. Post Office (and so named by cabinet maker and first Postmaster John Miller). Simon's Corners became Simonsville. From 1872 to 1875 it was called Grand Rapids Crossing, because it was the intersection of the north-south Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad and the east-west Eel River Railroad lines and the railroad did not like the name Simonsville. In 1875, the name LaOtto was proposed and petitioned by Lutheran minister Rev. B.F. Shultz and approved by the Noble County commissioners.
Though LaOtto is a small town, it played a role in the fight against slavery. LaOtto Wesleyan Church was a stopping point for slaves on the underground railroad during the 1850s and 1860s. Pastor Aaron Worth was a "conductor" on the underground railroad.
Originally having State Road 3 go through its town's limits, in 1990 a bypass and upgrade of State Road 3 was complete, and it now has a path just east of the town's limits.
Schools
LaOtto's children attend schools in the East Noble School CorporationEast Noble School Corporation
East Noble School Corporation is the largest of the four school corporations in Noble County, Indiana, covering the eastern third of the county...
. Elementary (Kindergarten-5th grade) students now attend Avilla Elementary School, in Avilla, Indiana
Avilla, Indiana
Avilla is a town in Allen Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,401 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Avilla is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of ....
, after LaOtto Elementary School closed in 2008. Middle school (6th-8th grade) students attend East Noble Middle School, in Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville is a city in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,862 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kendallville is located at ....
. High school (9th-12th grade) students attend East Noble High School, also in Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville is a city in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,862 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kendallville is located at ....
.