Economy marks bicentennial June 13-14

With a new playground and mural added in the past year, the assets of Economy are improving as the small community celebrates its bicentennial.

The approximately 150 residents of the northwest Wayne County town are organizing a two-day celebration on Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14.

The public is invited.

Celebration

The opening night includes a pork chop supper from 5-8 p.m. ($15 adults, $5 kids’ hot dog meal) and music by Scott Ross from 7-10 p.m. at the Lion’s Den along U.S. 35. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the concert, and soda and popcorn will be available. An alumni banquet will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the Economy gym, 324 Poplar St.

Activities start early Saturday morning with the Lions Club’s $8 breakfast, along with car and tractor shows, all from 7-10 a.m.

All ages are invited to a make-and-take craft from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the gym, followed by the parade at noon along Main Street.

The Perry Township/Economy Volunteer Fire Department will offer a cookout from 12:30-3 p.m., kicked off by the United Methodist Church’s cakewalk. Both take place at the fire station, 138 S. Poplar St.

The weekend’s final events include the kiddie tractor pull at 1 p.m. and the stick horse rodeo at 1:30, both along Main Street.

Town history

Although the land on which Economy stands was purchased by Tennesseans Henry and Moses Mills, they sold it to two men, Elihu Swain and William Locke, who then sold it to Charles Osborn in 1819.

Lots were first sold in 1825. Osborn came up with the name, saying he thought dividing the town into lots was the most “economical” way to sell his property, according to the “History of Wayne County, Indiana: Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Village and Towns, Volume 2.”

In a November blog entry published by Forward Wayne County, Economy’s Clerk-Treasurer Barb Irvin said town leadership is “small, but organized and resourceful” in maintaining streets, removing snow and providing other essential services.

In recent years, they’ve collaborated with county government on projects in addition to the playground and mural, such as adding Wi-Fi to the park, waterproofing the gym basement and participating in the countywide blight elimination and Main Street programs.

Irvin said residents know each other by name, which creates a sense of responsibility for the community. The three council members and Irvin are impacted by the same issues that residents face, so there’s a shared understanding when decisions are made, she said.

Residents also have direct access to town leaders when they have problems, unlike larger communities.

“While national and state governments make the headlines, small-town governments are the unsung heroes of local democracy,” she said. “The Town of Economy may operate on a smaller scale, but our impact on our community makes a difference.”