St. Leon – Initially called St. Joe after its first church, St. Leon adopted its current name after the post office was termed St. Leon in 1852. It was settled in the early 1800s by Europeans of various origins, including Swiss, French and Germans. Dating back to the 1870s, St. Leon is widely known for its pole-raising each presidential election year. Democrats go into nearby woods with a crosscut saw to cut a straight, tall hickory tree, which they trim except for a few branches at the top. Brackets are attached to the tree so the American flag and the original Democrat emblem, a rooster, can be displayed. The “pole” remains up until the election is ove
County – Dearborn
Township – Kelso
Area
Total – 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km2)
Land – 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km2)
Population (2000)
Total – 387
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
ZIP code
Area code(s) 812
Settlement began at the town of St. Leon Indiana in the early 1800′s. It was first called St. Joe, after the church which was located there. In 1852 the community took the name St. Leon when the post office was established.
St. Leon is perhaps best known for its quadrennial Pole Raising celebration, which dates back to the 1870′s. This event takes place on Presidential election years and has its roots in the pole raisings which took place during the campaign of Andrew Jackson, who was known as Old Hickory. This St. Leon pole raising is believed to be the last such event in the United States. It is a Democratic Party event during which Democratic office seekers take to a nearby woods and, using a traditional crosscut saw, cut a hickory tree down. This tree is then embelished with an American flag and a rooster, the traditional Democratic emblem. The pole is then erected in the town and remains until the election is over.
Located just north of St. Leon is another spot well known to fossil hunters, the St. Leon Cut on Indiana State Road 1, just north of St. Leon. This fossil rich bed is a favorite haunt of fossil hunters.
St. Leon is favoribly located on Indiana State Road 1 in north central Dearborn County. Indiana State Road 46 intersects State Road 1 just south of the town and Interstate 74 has exit and entrance ramps here.
To access the attractions of St. Leon, click this link
© Indiana Places 2011
You may access the destinations of St. Leon Indiana at this link.
