GREENFIELD — Green Township is located in the north central part of Hancock County and includes the towns of Eden and Milner’s Corner. If you have an interest in learning about Green Township, the people who lived there, the industry, the schools, and a lot of history — then please join other interested folks in a roundtable discussion on the history of Green Township Hancock County on Sun., March 16 at 3 p.m. at the Hancock County Historical Society’s Chapel in the Park, located at 28 North Apple Street, Greenfield. Please bring along any photos, histories, or family genealogies that you would like to share with others. This is an open discussion format with a moderator, and the sharing of information and ideas is encouraged. Light refreshments will also be served.
Green Township Hancock County Indiana was named after John Green, one of the very early settlers to that area. The township was first organized by the board of commissioners in September 1832, and Green Township was formed from the northern parts of Jackson Township and Harrison Townships. Originally, the township included all of what is now Brown Township as well as Green Township. Brown Township would be formed a year later in September 1833.
The first land that was purchased in the township was bought by William Shortridge on May 26 1829. The town of Eden was originally called Lewisburg. It was surveyed and platted on August 21, 1835. The deeds for these lots were sold by John Allford. Milner’s Corner was never laid out as a town, but historically there has been a store, and a few businesses located there as well as some residential homes. A post office was there from 1868 to 1903.
There have been several schools in Green Township with the first school being built in 1836. The entire township would be consolidated by 1922 with all of the children attending the Eden School who were known as the “Flyers.” After a fire burned the Maxwell school in 1955, Eden and Maxwell schools would consolidate to become Hancock Central. Today, the Greenfield Central School Corp. maintains Eden Elementary School in this district to educate Green Township’s youngest children.
