Loogootee was established in 1853,[5] when it was certain that a new railroad line would be extended to that point.[6][7] The post office at Loogootee has been in operation since 1857.[8]
Etymology
Several etymologies of the place name have been proposed. One would make it an Anglicization of the French name Le Gaultier. However, the most likely explanation is that Loogootee is a compound word honoring both Thomas Lowe, engineer of the first train through the town; and Thomas Nesbe Gootee (1797–1870), owner of the land where the town was built.[9]
Geography
Loogootee is located on the western side of Martin County and the western border of the city is the Daviess County line.
Several U.S. highways pass through the center of Loogootee. U.S. Routes 50 and 150 follow Broadway through the city, while U.S. Route 231 enters from the north on John F. Kennedy Avenue, joins Routes 50 and 150 on Broadway south of the city center, then turns south on its own alignment. US 50 and 150 lead east 7 miles (11 km) to Shoals, the Martin county seat, and west 15 miles (24 km) to Washington, while US 231 leads north 24 miles (39 km) to Bloomfield and south 21 miles (34 km) to Jasper. Indiana State Road 550 leads southeast from Loogootee 10 miles (16 km) to Lacy.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Loogootee has a total area of 1.57 square miles (4.07 km2), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km2), or 0.25%, are water.[1] The city drains northeast toward Boggs Creek and southwest toward Friends Creek, both of which are southeast-flowing tributaries of the East Fork of the White River, part of the Wabash River watershed.
As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 2,751 people, 1,206 households, and 709 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,752.2 inhabitants per square mile (676.5/km2). There were 1,324 housing units at an average density of 843.3 per square mile (325.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.
There were 1,206 households of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.95.
The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,741 people, 1,226 households, and 712 families living in the city. The population density was 1,750.5 inhabitants per square mile (675.9/km2). There were 1,337 housing units at an average density of 853.8 per square mile (329.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.05% White, 0.04% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 1,226 households, out of which 67.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 83.4% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.9% were non-families. 10.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 4.04.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.7% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,492, and the median income for a family was $37,625. Males had a median income of $30,660 versus $21,490 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,321. About 13.1% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
Loogootee has three schools in its district: Loogootee Elementary (PreK-4), Loogootee Middle School (5-8), and Loogootee High School (9-12). The mascot is a lion. The school colors are black and old gold. The school song is "Washington and Lee Swing". Loogootee has a long-standing, proud tradition of high school basketball. It is the home of the winningest high school basketball coach in state history, Jack Butcher, who had a career record of 806-250 (all at Loogootee High School). Butcher led Loogootee basketball to two state finals appearances under the single-class state tournament (1970 & 1975). Loogootee's latest boys' basketball sectional title was in 2012, which began a run that ended with Loogootee High School's first state championship in any sport. Loogootee boasts rivalries with area schools, North Daviess and Barr-Reeve. The Lions own the all-time series against both schools, and the rivalry with Barr-Reeve has recently been considered the state's best high school rivalry by several media outlets. The boys' basketball program has had an impressive winning record for many years. In the past fifty years, only three seasons have finished with below .500 records. Loogootee's boys' tennis program has also gained notoriety after winning twelve straight sectional titles under the guidance of Coach Rick Graves. Additionally, the girls' tennis program won seven consecutive sectional titles from 2004-2010 under coach Mike Tippery. The volleyball team was state runner-up for three consecutive years (2005–2007)and also in 2012.
The town has a lending library, the Loogootee Public Library.[13] The library is part of the Evergreen Indiana Library Consortium [14] and the eIndiana Digital Consortium,[15] which allow members to obtain books and eBooks from any member library.
A large number of the residents of Loogootee are employed with the federal government and government contractors at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, 10 miles (16 km) north of town.
