Geography & History

ABOUT MIDDLEBURY

Geography & History

Middlebury is a quiet and charming small town that sits on the banks of the Little Elkhart River in the middle of a mix of rolling hills and rural farmland. Here you will find a plethora of locally-owned stores that have been in the same families for generations along with picture-perfect Queen Anne and Gothic Revival homes.

Before the Europeans came to the region, the Miami and later the Potawatomi ruled the area. That changed in 1832, when the first settlers came from Middlebury, Vt. They chose this specific area because the rolling hills reminded them of Vermont.

Later, in 1841, the first Amish families came from Somerset County, Pa., and settled in the countryside surrounding the town. The Town of Middlebury was chartered in 1836, and was finally incorporated in 1868. In 1888, the railroad came to Middlebury and began to diversify the town's economy to include manufacturing as well as farming.

Today Middlebury is a town of 3,605 located in Elkhart County approximately 35 miles east of South Bend, 130 miles east of Chicago and 165 miles north of Indianapolis.

Conveniently close to major highways, railways and airports, where residents can have access to nearby urban centers of culture, entertainment and higher education without giving up the sense of belonging and the ability to unwind in a peaceful setting.

Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center

Hampton Inn & Suites

Meadows Inn Bed & Breakfast

The Spruce House Photo credit: Monica Yoder For more information contact Executive Director Sheri Howland at 574.825.4300, director@middleburyinchamber.com 15