Photos by Orion W. Lemler, Derek Jensen & Bill Paolucci.
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 Bourbon, Indiana is located in east central
Marshall County in Bourbon Township, at the junction of State Highway 331 and US 30 in
the heart of TROJAN COUNTRY.
 Although Bourbon has experienced phenomenal growth over the years it has
maintained the quality of life associated with a small town rural atmosphere.
Vist Orion W. Lemler's (OWL) Bourbon photo
gallery.
Bourbon Municipal Codes
Indiana Gateway for Government Units
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IN THE BEGINNING
 Before the earliest settlers came from Bourbon County, Kentucky,
in 1836 the Bourbon area was the land of the Potawatomi Indians. Old surveys in the county
surveyor's office show the Indian trails, including one that runs from the Potawatomi Park
village site in the South Bend area through the present town of Bourbon. Two of the old
trails ran through the woods between 14B and 15th Roads east of IN 331. Between these
trails (traces of one which can still be seen) is a natural amphitheater, which the old
timers said, was where the Indians held their council meetings. Bourbon Township was organized in 1840, including what is now
Tippecanoe Township. In 1842, Tippecanoe became a separate township. In anticipation of
the arrival of the railroad, the town of Bourbon was laid out in 1853. The railroad
arrived in 1856; the town incorporated in 1865.
With the arrival of the railroad, Bourbon became a booming lumber town. From 1864 to 1867
over a thousand railroad cars of lumber were shipped each year. Early Bourbonites were
proud of saying that Bourbon was the biggest stop between Fort Wayne and Chicago. The
cutting of the trees for lumber was followed by clearing of the land for farming, and the
community became known for its rich soil, well-bred livestock and good farmers. The people were strong believers and early churches were important to the
people of Bourbon; however, the path was not easy. The records of local churches show such
things as church burnings and bombings believed to be related to the causes of slavery and
prohibition. Many stories of riots, brutal murders, arson fires, and dreadful accidents
are recorded. The 1881 and 1896 Histories of Marshall County make interesting reading.  Interest in education ran early and
strong. The 1881 History of Marshall County notes that in 1837 James Parks requested and
was granted permission by the commissioner for his son, John F. Parks, to attend Indiana
College at Bloomington for two years. In 1871, Bourbon College was established, but the
public schools moved into its building in 1877. Bourbon history shows much cultural
interest with newspapers, clubs, bands and orchestras. The Bourbon Cornet Band was
established in 1866.
Interest in fire protection has always run high. In 1875, the Vigilant
Hook and Ladder Company was formed. Other fire fighting organizations followed and
continue to this day. Bourbon is known for its excellent fire department and EMS. Bourbon grew into a fine community with good professional services,
businesses and industry, but not without a great deal of giving by many people. Today,
there are no Weans in the Bourbon phone book, but if you go to the southeast corner of the
Parks/Odd Fellows Cemetery, you will find the Wean monument and learn that both their sons
died in the Civil War.  If one
thing symbolizes the town of Bourbon above all else it is the The Old Town Pump.
Bourbonites are very proud of the memorial to the pump that now is located in Sit Park on
the corner of Old US 30 and Main Street. The memorial represents the original wooden pump
pictured here.
The dedication reads:
IN REMEMBERANCE OF THE OLD TOWN PUMP
ONCE LOCATED HERE ON THIS CORNER
THIS
MEMORIAL WAS SPONSORED AND
ERECTED BY THE SOUTH BEND BOURBON CLUB
DEDICATED JUNE
30, 1929
Click to
view the memorial in 1929.
Click to
view the memorial today.
WHO WE
ARE
Clerk
Treasurer
Kimberly Berger
104 East Park Avenue
Bourbon, IN 46504
Call
574-342-4755
Fax 574-342-3205
kberger@bourbon-in.gov | Deputy Treasurers/Utilities
Candace Craft &
Emily Stichter
104 East Park Avenue
Bourbon, IN 46504
Call 574-342-4755
Fax 574-342-3205
ccraft@bourbon-in.gov
estichter@bourbon-in.gov | Police Chief
Bill Martin
224 North Main Street
Bourbon, IN 46504
Emergency 911
Call
574-342-3105
wmartin@bourbon-in.gov
Fire Chief
Brandon Chapman
224 North Main Street
Bourbon, IN 46504
Emergency 911
Call 574-342-2345
Kosciusko Ambulance
LLC 574-269-1975 |
Zoning/Building Commissioner
Bill Keyser
104 East Park Avenue
Bourbon,
IN 46504
574-342-7107
bkeyser@bourbon-in.gov
| Wastewater
Superintendent
Steve Stacy
104 East Park Avenue
Bourbon, IN 46504
574-342-0223
sstacy@bourbon-in.gov
| Water
Superintendent
Steve Stacy
104 E. Park Avenue
Bourbon, IN 46504
Call
574-342-0223
sstacy@bourbon-in.gov
| Street
Superintendent
Roger Terry
409 East Center Street
Bourbon, IN 46504
574-342-4755
rterry@bourbon-in.gov
| Bourbon Township
Trustee
121 East Center Street
Bourbon, IN 46504
574-342-4875
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TOWN COUNCIL
The town council
meets the secound Tuesday of each month in the town hall located at 104 East Park Avenue
at 7PM.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
President Les McFarland
lmcfarland@bourbon-in.gov Larry Wattenbarger
lwattenbarger@bourbon-in.gov P.J. Hanley
pjhanley@bourbon-in.gov
BOURBON ZONING ORDINANCE
Click to view or download.
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BOURBON
WATER WORKS
 Bourbon's water source is an
underground aquifer of sand and gravel left from a glacial outwash. It is pumped to the
treatment plant by means of 200 feet deep welts. At the treatment plant water is aerated
and the iron is filtered out. Sodium fluoride is adjusted to the optimum safe level for
the prevention of dental cavities in developing teeth. Blended sodium phosphate is added
to develop a protective coating on the the inside of pipes to prevent lead and cooper from
leeching into the water from your home's plumbing. lastly, chlorine is added to keep the
water delivery system disinfected. 
BOURBON
COMMUNITY PARK
Wether your interested in basketball, baseball, softball, playing on the equipment or just
relaxing, Bourbon parks offer these activities and a lot more.
 Rules and Rental
Policy Park Closes at 11pm
No Pets
No Alcohol
No Illegal Substances
Park Pavillion - The pavillion is available for rental from April 1 through
October 31.
- The kitchen is available any day of the year.
- The pavillion has three
sections:
- Kitchen - Seating Capacity 40-50
- South - Seating Capacity 90-100
- North - Seating Capacity 90-100
- Each section can be reserved for a fee of $25
plus a security deposit of $50 per section.
- Resevations can be made up to one (1)
year in advance.
- Reservations can be made by contacting the Clerk's Office at
574-342-4755 or by email.
- Refundable security deposit required
at the time of reservation. (The Park Custodian, after checking the premises, will inform
the Clerk's Office if the deposit is to be returned.)
- Reservations must be paid for at
the time they are made. If for any reason you need to cancel the reservation it must be
done at least two (2) weeks in advance for the deposit to be refunded.
- The white
plastic tables and chairs are not to be removed from the pavillion! They are not available
for rental or loan.
- The brown metal tables and chairs can be rented (tables: $1 each;
chairs: $.50 each). Contact the Clerk's Office.
- Local not-for-profit clubs and
organizations are exempt from charges, but must be sure to clean up when finished.
Splash Park The Splash pad is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day and is
operating daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Veiw Slideshow Please keep our park clean and pleasent. Wipe up all
spills and pick up all trash. Insects can become a health hazard when food and drinks are
not cleaned up immediately. There is no charge for use of the small shelter located on
the west end of the park. First come-first use basis. The several grills around the
park can be used by anyone. Please pick up all trash when finished.
Thank you and have a wonderful time.
SCHOOLS
The Triton School Corporation is dedicated to providing the children of our
community with the best education possible
encouraging all students to achieve their personal best academically, personally, and
developmentally while endeavoring to provide a safe, positive environment. The Corporation
strives to build confident, lifelong learners for a diverse and global society.
You can be assured that the staff will do their best to care for and educate your child.
They team up with parents to make sure their child has every opportunity to be successful
and to be prepared to meet future challenges.
 Bourbon Christian School is coed and
Mennonite affiliated, serving grades 1-12. From its beginning, Accelerated Christian
Education has maintained high Biblical and academic standards and remained committed to
setting children on a path for success. The goal is the same today: to prepare children
for the world today and give them the academic and spiritual tools necessary to achieve
their God-given potential.
Bourbon
Public Library
Bourbon Public Library is located at 307 N. Main St. and offers a wide array of
materials, programs, and technology for all ages in the community. Servicing the
community since 1940, the Library is constantly evolving to serve current needs - eBooks,
WiFi, laptops, BluRays, and more! Partnering with local schools and businesses, we are
proud to offer Summer Discovery programs, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten programs,
presentations from local police, fire, ems, authors, artists, and more! The friendly
staff can also help with copying, faxing, and scanning services. Like us on Facebook or
follow us on Twitter (@BourbonPL) and see what's coming up next! bourbon.lib.in.us Hours: M/T/Th -
10am-8pm, W/F - 10am-5pm, Sat - 10am-3pm.
SOCIAL
SERVICES
 Matchett Sqaure
Bourbon Senior Center located at 805 N. Harris serves REAL Service lunches to Seniors
Monday thru Friday. REAL Services, believing in the dignity of all people, will provide
services to eligible persons without regard to race, creed, sex, or national origin. Also
available for wedding receptions, meetings, parties, reunions and more. Call Dena
Wattenbanger at 574-342-0925.
FESTIVALS
& PARADES
Celebrating Art, Food & Fun! Bourbon Summerfest is held each year during the
second weekend in August. Booths of various arts & crafts and delicious foods are lined
up for the public to enjoy. There is a talent show a car show, live entertainment and much
more.
 During
Halloween Week the town sponsors a family-oriented event the includes a party at
the park, costume judging, a cake walk and refreshments.
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