Greater Martinsville Chamber of Commerce
Area Relocation Package
(Last Updated December 27, 1999)

Message from the Mayor,
City of Martinsville,
Morgan County, Indiana

On behalf of the citizens of Martinsville, I thank you for inquiring about our City. Martinsville consists of approximately 13,000 residents and is nestled between Indianapolis and Bloomington, which allows quick access to a plethora of metropolitan offerings, as well as quality post-secondary educational institutions. Martinsville has been listed as one of the safest cities in the United States by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Our City boasts of being the hometown of John R. Wooden, one of the greatest basketball coaches in history. Just minutes south of Martinsville is the Morgan Monroe State Forest, which provides a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing.

You are sure to find our school system one of the finest in Indiana. Our 1,618-member student body continues to capture state championship titles in athletic and academic competitions. We also value the many talented individuals in the Music Department, who have also achieved great honors.

Martinsville is home to some unique businesses. One such business manufactures riot shields for law enforcement agencies. In addition, they secure interiors for police vehicles. Martinsville is also home to one of the largest goldfish hatcheries in the United States, shipping their product worldwide.

We are very proud of our churches and the foundation they provide our families, which reflect on our community's goodwill and ability to work and play together in unity. I am very proud of Martinsville and its residents and their commitment to make our City the best it can be. Martinsville has always been home to me, and I sincerely hope when you visit us that you will find it as warm and friendly as I do.

Should you have any questions or desire further information about the City of Martinsville, please feel free to call my office at 765-342-2861. Please know that our door is always open for a visit at any time.

Warmest regards,

Shannon L. Buskirk, Mayor
City of Martinsville

Mayor's Office
City Hall
P.O. Box 1415
Martinsville, IN 46151
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 4:00
(765) 342-2861

Martinsville Chosen as County Seat Over Centerton and Waverly
By Bette Nunn
1976

Martinsville, county seat of Morgan County, is situated in a peaceful valley surrounded by hills. Its origin was established by an act of the state legislature in December of 1821 when Morgan County was formed from what was then known as Wabash and Delaware counties. Jonathan Jennings was governor of the state at that time, and in March of 1822, Martinsville, because of its central location, was designated as the county seat. Other locations considered were Centerton and Waverly.

Up to the year 1821, however, there was no sign of a town. Wild animals roamed the location and native timber covered the area. One early settler was said to have killed five grizzlies just south of town.

Grizzly bears were not the only wild animals roaming "these hyar hills." Another story is told about a settler near Martinsville who saw several animals lying in the leaves in the woods one day and thought them to be wolves. He fired his gun and killed one of the animals, and the others ran. When he reached the dead animal's location, he was surprised to learn that he had not shot a wolf, but a big panther.

An old Delaware Indian trail ran across the site of the town from the northeast to the southwest, which would, if visible today, pass near the southeast corner of the public square.

Back in 1769, a French explorer named LaSalle descended the Kankakee with 30 of his companions. They were the first Europeans known to have set foot on the soil of Indiana before it was admitted as a state. It is not known for sure that white men ever settled in this county at that time, but it is probable that they did.

The French were known to have navigated all the principal streams and rivers where they would establish trading posts. French missionaries were also prevalent in such stations. Most likely these groups were located where numbers of Indians could be found. Since Indiana was known to Indians as good gaming land, fur trading would probably have proven profitable to them.

It is a matter of record that there was an Indian trail running through what is known as the courthouse square today. Old histories speak of the Indian highway that led to and from the "dark and bloody ground," and historians can only assume that the trail passing here was traveled by many war parties on their journeys to and from their settlements in Kentucky. Historians say these war parties were often accompanied by prisoners and that there is a probability that many were captured by Indian warriors and returned to their Kentucky camps.

Settled by Miamis

Known as a watering place for many generations, Morgan County was settled by the Miami tribe, and they and the Delawares possessed a large tract of land in Central Indiana which included Morgan County. The tribe ceded the land to the United States in October of 1818.

Some historians believe the name of Martinsville originated from a man named John Martin, who lived in Washington County and was the oldest locating commissioner at that time.

Five men donated land to the town so that the county seat could be established. They were John Gray, Joshua Taylor, Samuel Scott, Jacob Cutler and Joel Furguson, who also gave the "big spring."

In the original plat of the town, the boundaries were Highland Street and Walnut Street, both running east and west; and Cherry Street and Water Street, running north and south. Water Street was evidently what is known as Wayne Street today. There were blocks in the plat of the town originally.

This year, Martinsville is 178 years old.

MOTEL LISTING

*Lees Inn 765-342-1842 1-800-733-5337
50 Bills Blvd.

Royal Motel 765-342-6671
60 St. Rd. 67 N.

Hillview Motel 765-342-6272
2600 St. Rd. 37 S.

*Super 8 Motel 765-349-2222 1-800-800-8000
Next to Lees Inn

Martinsville/Morgan County Media
Internet Service Providers:

Reliable-Net.Net
161 N. Jefferson
P.O. Box 1522
Martinsville, IN 46151
(765) 342-3554

SCICAN Corporation
P.O. Box 1255
Martinsvillle, IN 46151
(765) 342-3344

Newspapers:

Indianapolis Star
449 E. Morgan St.
Martinsville IN 46151
(765) 342-5682

Reporter-Times, Inc.:
*The Reporter-Times
60 S. Jefferson St.
P.O. Box 1636
Martinsville IN 46151
(765) 342-3311
(765) 342-1446 Fax
Web Site

The Times
23 E. Main St.
Mooresville IN 46158
(317) 831-0280

Radio Station:
*WCBK-FM 102 (Country)
1639 Burton Lane
P.O. Box 1577
Martinsville IN 46151
(765) 342-3394
(765) 342-5020 Fax

Television Station:

WREP 15
Martinsville High School
1360 E. Gray St.
(765) 342-5571

MARTINSVILLE LIST OF EVENTS

June 10, 2000 (2^nd Saturday in June each year)
Fish Fry and Strawberry Festival

June 17, 2000
Summer Fest
Downtown Martinsville

July 4, 2000
Car Show, Vendors, Bands, etc.
Fireworks at Dusk
Jimmy Nash Park

October 12-15, 2000 (2^nd Thursday-Sunday of each year)
Fall Foliage Festival

October 13, 2000
Customer Appreciation Night
Downtown Martinsville

October 31, 2000
Safe Trick or Treat Night

November 11, 2000 (2^nd Saturday in November each year)
East Middle School Craft Fair

November 24, 2000 (Friday after Thanksgiving each year)
Jimmy Nash Park Christmas Lighting Ceremony

November 25, 2000
Holiday Open House

November 25, 2000 (Saturday after Thanksgiving each year)
Downtown Christmas Lighting Ceremony
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Metropolitan School District of Martinsville
460 S. Main St.
Martinsville, In 46151
Phone 765-342-6641
Fax-765-342-6877
Web Site

METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MARTINSVILLE
MISSION STATEMENT

The Metropolitan School District of Martinsville commits itself to producing and maintaining an educational environment in which each individual student and employee:

• owns the responsibility for actively participating in teaching and learning;
  
• promotes the positive growth of self and others;
  
• displays confidence in his/her talents and exhibits pride in accomplishments;
  
• strives to achieve his/her personal best routinely;
  
• models human dignity and respect by demonstrating caring, fairness, honesty, and integrity in his/her relationship with others; develops a vision of his/her personal future, identifies the requirements, masters the skills, and meets the challenges and standards necessary for achieving that future.
  

VISION

The schools of the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville are an excellent place to learn.

Time and proper assistance are provided so that all students are expected to learn and do learn at very high levels.

Each school provides an orderly environment with rules, values, high expectations, caring, and commitment that together create a healthy family-type atmosphere. All school personnel care; they model the obligation and desire to teach, and they promote the academic and personal success of each student.

As importantly, parents participate in the education of their children, and their active and supportive involvement is continually sought.

QUALITY COMMITMENT
"Hard to define, impossible to legislate for, quality, like truth is an attitude of mind."
Charles Hardy, in The Age of Unreason

"Quality is defined by the customer. It is whatever the customer says that it is."
W. Edwards Deming

"Quality includes things you can count - it also includes things you can't count."
James Auter, Superintendent of Schools

Quality requires an attitude of continuous improvement in all things.
To that, the MSD of Martinsville is committed.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

We believe that our schools should strive for excellence in all that they do. We believe that all children can learn and practically all can learn at very high levels.

We believe that each student is unique and we should promote the maximum intellectual emotional, physical, social, aesthetic, and moral development of each student.

We believe each student should experience regular opportunities for rigorous analytical thinking.

We believe that as educators we should have vision, empathy, and the ability to help each student grow into all he/she is capable of becoming.

We believe that the school climate should be one of trust, respect, and security.

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OUR SCHOOLS

Administration:

Superintendent’s Office, 342-6641

Maintenance Department 342-7896

Transportation Department, 342-5597
Building Trades, 342-8572
Central Elem., 342-6611
East Middle, 342-6675
Green Township Elem., 342-0505
Martinsville High School, 342-5571
Poston Road Elem., 342-8408
Smith Elem., 342-8488
South Elem., 349-1486
West Middle, 342-6628

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Extracurricular activities are numerous and diverse, offering all students a wide choice of experiences. A variety of clubs operating at the middle and high school levels enjoy large memberships.

The music program has been recognized yearly for excellence in state competitions. Interscholastic athletics is a vital part of the total educational system, offering young men and women an opportunity to participate in most sports.

An Outdoor Education Resident Camp program involving all fifth grade students in the corporation has been conducted each spring at Bradford Woods.

The MSD of Martinsville is the 38^th largest school district in the state of Indiana and provides transportation for over 65% of all students to the 12 schools in the district.

PRESCHOOLS & KINDERGARTENS

• Kids Korner, Faith Missionary Church, 1855 S. R. 44, (342-5526)
  
• Learning Land Preschool, 960 S. Marion, (342-5688)
  
• Martinsville Head Start, 60 E. Cunningham, (342-1599)
  
• Tabernacle Christian Kindergarten, 2189 Burton Ln., (342-0502)
  
• YMCA, 2039 E. Morgan, (342-6688)
  
  

• Butler University, Indianapolis - 35 Miles
  
• Franklin College, Franklin - 25 Miles
  
• Indiana Central College, Indianapolis - 25 Miles
  
• Indiana State University, Terre Haute - 70 Miles
  
• Indiana University, Bloomington - 20 Miles
  
• Indiana U/Purdue U, Indianapolis - 35 Miles
  
• Marian College, Indianapolis - 35 Miles
  
• Purdue University, West LaFayette - 75 Miles
  
• Indiana Wesleyan, Indianapolis - 35 Miles
  
• Indianapolis University, Indianapolis - 35 Miles
  
• IVY Tech, Indianapolis - 35 Miles
  
• IVY Tech, Bloomington - 25 Miles
  

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Morgan County Memorial Hospital Has Quality Health Care

Morgan County Memorial Hospital, located in scenic Martinsville, is centrally located to serve the town and surrounding ommunities. This full-service hospital is staffed by the finest physicians, nurses, and support personnel, providing a wide range of quality health care services.

Roots

If you take a step backwards in time to 1924, the original hospital was erected on land donated by J.W. Hussey. Hussey's 8-year-old son was struck and killed by a truck while riding his bicycle. This prompted Hussey to campaign extensively for a hospital, as there was no health facility to serve the town. The building then located on South Main Street was dedicated by the Mayor E.L. Avery and Dr. W.J. Sandy, president of the Morgan County Medical Society. The original staff of four employees included a superintendent, assistant superintendent, a surgical nurse and night supervisor.

Expansion

Due to extensive growth, the hospital location was moved, and construction of the current facility at 2209 John R. Wooden Drive was completed in 1958. A third floor was added in 1969.

A planning committee was established in 1975 to decide the future of health care in Morgan County. This committee developed a course of action for the next decade. In 1981 a major construction and restoration project was completed, which included a new surgical department, radiology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, emergency department, and kitchen and cafeteria.

Renovations of the lab, pharmacy, medical records, business office, central sterilization and administrative offices were also
completed. In addition, the hospital recruited a broad spectrum of physicians who established their medical practices here. In 1991 the Critical Care, in-house CT Scanner, and Cardiac Rehabilitation addition was completed. The hospital established its HomeCare Department in 1992, to meet the growing demand for home-based services.

Massive Overhaul

The Obstetrical Department was totally overhauled in 1994. The new unit has five labor and delivery, recovery and postpartum suites that are fully self-contained. The new birthing rooms feature fully designed wood floors and furnishings and are decorated with a personal touch to produce a cozy atmosphere. Facilities were added to perform cesarean section deliveries, and the nursery was renovated and moved to the front of the new unit.

Renovations also included the Occupational Therapy Department and a major portion of the laboratory.

The Future

The groundbreaking for a new Physicians' Medical Building began in the spring of 1995. The completed building, opening in early 1996, is next to the hospital and can be accessed through the hospital by a connecting corridor. Seven hospital physicians relocated their offices to this building when it was complete. Expansions for seven more physicians' offices are available in the new facility.

Service Offerings

“It is important to Morgan County Memorial Hospital how you are treated when you come here. We promote an atmosphere where our patients know how meaningful they are to us. High quality, compassionate, prompt, health care is our mission," Dean Melton, hospital administrator said. "The hospital has an excellent medical staff with many full-time specialists. Additionally, we offer curricula covering cardiopulmonary wellness and rehabilitation, diabetes control, CPR, and prenatal classes, along with other key community education programs."

Other Factors

The hospital has a $27,000,000 budget and 86 beds. It is extremely busy for a hospital of this size. In 1994, outpatient services reached 48 percent of total revenues. We admitted 1,841 patients and there were 323,315 outpatient procedures performed. Our HomeCare Department made 9,535 visits during the year. The Emergency Department remains very busy, seeing 18,802 patients during the same time frame.

For more information on the advanced health care services available at Morgan County Memorial Hospital, call 317-342-0299, extension 106.

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RENTAL OWNERS
MARTINSVILLE AREA

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ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES

Parks

Jimmy Nash City Park consists of 90 acres in the city limits of Martinsville. It boasts a swimming pool, five shelter houses, picnic tables and benches, a caretaker’s residence, tennis courts, baseball and softball diamond, basketball court, foot trails, a playground, as well as a pond for fishing in the summer and ice skating in the winter.
The city also has five Little League baseball parks and one softball park.

Bowling Alley

Artesian Bowl is located just south of Martinsville on Morton Avenue. It has been renovated and has 18 lanes.

The Showplace Cinema

Located next to the Artesian Bowl on Morton Avenue, Showplace Cinema offers first run movies at a price the whole family can afford.

Theaters and Music Halls

The proximity of Martinsville to Indiana University, Bloomington and Indianapolis, allows the residents of Martinsville to enjoy a broad spectrum of the performing arts.

Morgan County Senior Centers, Inc.

The senior centers have locations in Martinsville, Morgantown, and Mooresville. The centers were formed to provide services which would enable older adults to live independently during their retirement years. Services provided include information and referral, friendly visitor, meals on wheels, transportation, recreational and educational programs, handyman, homemaker, health programs, employment referral, assessment, community service nutrition program, emergency food packages and volunteer work.

Special Events

Fourth of July Spectacular – One of Indiana’s most exciting ground and aerial fireworks displays is held yearly at Jimmy Nash Park. More than 15,000 adults and children turn out for this colorful event.

Fall Foliage Festival – A colorful week in October culminates on the second Sunday with the second largest parade in Indiana. Each day of the festival is filled with things to do and see, including games, musical entertainment, bus tours, a flea market, and art show, the mayor’s breakfast, and several days of harvest markets around the square. The parade is highlighted with bands, floats, clowns and special Shrine units.

YMCA

The Barbara B. Jordon Branch YMCA is a full facility YMCA serving the residents of Morgan County. A full range of programs is offered including adult fitness classes; water exercise programs; Y's Owl Pre-school for 3's, 4's, and 5 year old boys and girls; progressive swim lessons for youth and adults; water adjustment classes for infants (6 months to 3 Years); youth and adult lap swims; and soccer and basketball leagues.

The facility includes two racquetball courts, indoor running track, Universal weight equipment, free weights, whirlpool, sauna, men's and women's locker and shower facilities, swimming pool and two tennis courts.

The YMCA is committed to the enhancement of quality of life of people in Morgan County, particularly those who enroll as members and participate in its Judeo-Christian values-based programs and services.

Martinsville Country Club

The Martinsville Country Club was built in 1925 by W.A. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy also owned the Home Lawn Mineral Springs and the club was used in conjunction with this facility.

The course was originally designed as a nine (9) hole course. Bill Diddle as Indiana golf architect was the designer and builder. The first gold professional and course superintendent was Alf Ward. He served in this capacity until 1928 when Barney Daughtery, who came to this country from Scotland replaced him. In 1934 Don Carmichael, a local boy, replaced Daughtery. Carmichael has started at the

Mr. Carmichael operated the club as Pro, Manager and Superintendent until 1967 when he and Don Kennedy, son of W.A. Kennedy, purchased the club. In 1968 Ron and Sam Carmichael bought Don Kennedy's interest in the club.

In 1970 planning was begun for a second nine (9) holes. Bob Simmons of Kokomo was hired to design and build the additional nine (9). Construction was completed and the new nine (9) was opened for play in the summer of 1972.

The Martinsville Country Club is a picturesque eighteen (18) hole course situated in the Beautiful hills and valleys of Southern Indiana. The course plays to 6500 yards and to a par of 71. There are forty sand traps that the golfer is confronted with plus a creek that must be crossed five times during the round. Trees are in abundance at Martinsville with each hole being defined by beautiful Norway Spruce, Chinese Elms, Oaks and Red and White Pine.

If you are looking for a real golfing treat, playing Martinsville Country Club will be just what you are looking for.

Bradford Woods

Bradford Woods is a 2400 acre center for leadership training, residential outdoor education and group camping, located just 6 miles north of Martinsville.

Bradford Woods is nationally and internationally known for its leadership in the fields of school camping, camping for people with disabilities and in developing leaders to work in outdoor centers and areas.

The Facilities at Bradford Woods consist of four villages plus the manor house. Each village includes winterized group sleeping cabins, dining hall and recreation areas.

Bradford Woods is available for educational and recreational purposes for groups of 10 or more. Church groups, youth groups, civic organizations and many other types of groups have rented the facilities for meetings, retreats, luncheons and recreational outings.

Morgan-Monroe state forest provides recreation, timber management, wildlife management, watershed protection, research and preservation. No Entrance fees are charged and all facilities are on the first come, first-served basis.

Facilities Include : (23,443 acres)
* Boat Launch Ramp
* Boat Motor / Elec. Trolling only
* Camping (Class ``C" / 32 sites - family/youth)
* Dumping station
* Fishing / Ice fishing 4 Small lakes
* Hiking trails / 2 circular trails
* Hunting
* Picnicking
* Shelterhouses / 7
*Three timber management demonstration area trails, backcountry camping area
* Youth Tent Area

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Internet Information About Martinsville/Morgan County

http://www.reliable-net.net/~chamber/
http://www.reliable-net.net
http://scican.net

Indiana Business Research Center:
http://www.iupui.edu/it/ibrc/profiles/sift/page1/co55pg1.pdf
http://www.iupui.edu/it/ibrc/profiles/sift/sift_overview.html
http://www.iupui.edu/it/ibrc/ibrc.html

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IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY