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Carmel, IN Area Guide

Carmel is a city in Hamilton County, Indiana. The population was 68,677at the 2007 census but has been growing very rapidly. Carmel is one of many affluent edge cities on the North side of Indianapolis. Until 1874, the settlement where present day Carmel now sits was called Bethlehem. Today, the plot first established in Bethlehem, located at the intersection of Rangeline Road and Main Street, is marked by a clock tower, donated by the local Rotary Club in 2002. In 1924, one of the first automatic traffic signals in the United States was installed at the intersection of Main Street and Range Line Road. The signal that was installed was the invention of Leslie Haines and is currently in the old train station on the Monon.

History

The following information on Carmel’s history has been directly sourced from http://www.carmel.in.gov/government/History%20of%20Carmel.html for your convenience. If you have any more questions about Carmel’s history or wish to learn more, please click on the link provided above.

On April 13, 1837, John Felps (Phelps), Alexander Mills, Seth Green, and Daniel Warren, laid out the Town of Bethlehem.  The plat contained a total of fourteen lots.  The area, previously inhabited by Delaware ( Miami) Indians, soon became inhabited by Quakers.

Andrew Jackson was President of the United States at the time.

As a wilderness it was known for its fur trading. The first General Store was constructed in 1837. In 1845, a framed school house building was constructed near the Town's crossroads. In 1846, a Post Office was established. It was, at this time, the town residents were notified that the United States Post Office already had another town registered by the name of Bethlehem in Indiana. Consequently, in 1874, by a referendum vote of 33 in favor and 12 against, the town was officially incorporated and adopted the name "Carmel."

In 1882, rails of the Monon Railroad were laid through Carmel, and a depot was opened in 1883. The railroad depot remained open until 1974. The Carmel-Clay Historical Society is in charge of the restoration of the original depot.

In 1900, a shoot-out at the Jeffries Livery Barn took place. Officer William Frank Carey was killed. To date, Officer Carey, is the only law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.

In 1904, electricity was installed throughout Carmel.

In 1914, the Carmel Public Library was dedicated. It was built with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation for a total of $11,000.00. It was used until 1972 when it was purchased by the Town of Carmel, and then used for official offices and as a Courthouse.

In 1921, the Carmel Volunteer Fire Department purchased its first fire truck.

In 1924, Leslie Haines invented one of the Country's first automatic stop-and-go traffic signals. It was located at the intersection of Main Street and Range Line Road.

In 1930, a Water System was installed, and in 1933 a gas pipeline was installed.

In 1937, a Centennial celebration took place in Carmel. In 1962, Carmel celebrated its 125th anniversary with parades and street fairs.

In 1949, the Carmel Theatre opened. Ticket prices were 40 cents for adults and 20 cents for children. Candy bars were sold for a nickel each. The theatre was closed and razed by the City in 1984. In 1985, the " Downtown Park" was dedicated on the original site of the Carmel Theatre.

In 1958, a new high school was erected on East Main Street, for a total cost of $1,600,000.00. Additions to the high school were added in 1963, 1969, and 1977. The Carmel Elementary School was opened in 1961 and in 1964, the Carmel Junior High School was opened.

In 1965, Keystone Avenue (Route 431) was opened. This same year, the areas of Woodland Springs, Cool Creek, and Keystone Square, were annexed to Carmel, doubling the population.

In 1971, the Carmel Court was established. The Plan Commission was also expanded to fourteen members from Clay Township and seven from Carmel, that same year.

In November of 1974, a referendum took place as to whether Carmel should become a Fourth Class City. The residents voted in the affirmative.

In 1975, the first City Primary took place in Carmel. On January 1, 1976 the following City Officials took office:

Albert Pickett, Mayor
Peggy Smith, Clerk-Treasurer
Members of the Town Council
David Coots, Dr. Walter Dean, Minnie Doane, Jim Garrestson, Stan Meacham, Jane Reiman, Fred Swift.
 Phil Correll, City Judge

Carmel , IN Events and Attractions

Carmel Ice Skadium
The following information on Carmel Ice Skadium has been directly sourced from: http://www.carmel.in.gov/community/things/skate.html. Please click on the link provided for more information.

There's a lot going on at the Carmel Ice Skadium

• Year-round skating seven days a week
• Group and private skating lessons
• Summer skating programs
• Home of Indianapolis Youth Hockey Association's 700 members
• Rent-a-rink for parties
• Home of the high school state hockey tournament
• Birthday parties

Summer Concerts at the Gazebo
The following information on Summer Concerts at the Gazebo has been directly sourced from http://www.carmelgazeboconcerts.org for your convenience. Please click on the link above for more information.

Our goal is to provide a family concert series at the Gazebo that encourages community vitality by providing a venue for families to enjoy arts and culture in our local community. Since the concerts are free, it is accessible to everyone in the community.

For a complete list of Carmel’s events, please visit their event calendar at: http://www.carmel.in.gov/community/index.html.

Parks and Recreation

The following information on Carmel’s parks and recreation has been directly sourced from: http://www.carmelclayparks.com. Please visit their website for more details.

The Carmel/Clay Board of Parks & Recreation, jointly created by the  City of Carmel and  Clay Township, was formed in 1991 to provide quality recreation programs, as well as acquire, preserve and maintain open lands and parks. Through the Carmel/Clay Department of Parks & Recreation, the Board carries out its responsibilities to the Carmel/Clay community.

The visionof Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is to physically connect every school to a park; to fully develop Central Park, West Park, Founders Park and Hazel Landing Park; to create a “community gathering facility” to support program expansion and community wellness; and to acquire additional park land in the western portion of the township by 2006.

The missionof Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is to acquire, develop and program safe park lands and facilities for recreation and preservation purposes. The objective is to enhance the neighborhoods of the City and Township, build a sense of community and positive image, and encourage citizens to view Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation as a valued investment in their daily lives.

For more details about Carmel, IN please visit: http://www.carmel.in.gov.