CITY INFORMATION

Mayor: Honorable Nedra A. Groves
426 Main Street
Rockport , IN 47635
812-649-2242

Clerk Treasurer: Harold Goffinet

Rockport City Council Members:

Ferman Yearby III
Julie Payne
Jack Morrison
Robert Mack
Connie L. Hargis

City Council Meeting Dates:

October 5, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
November 2, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
December 7, 2009, 6:00 p.m.

Among the first to come was Daniel Grass, a native of Bardstown, KY, who on May 9, 1807 purchased Section 26 of Ohio Township. Soon to follow were Azel Dorsey, first coroner; George Moffet, first teacher; Rev. James Naney, first preacher; John Pitcher, an early lawyer; John Morgan, first postmaster; Stephen P. Cissna, a doctor; Foster Vanzandt, first smithy; John Worrell, first tailor; John B. Greathouse, first tanner; Thomas Britton, James Gentry and many others.

Before 1818 Rockport was known as Hanging Rock because of the huge cliff which extended over the river from one of the bluffs. In 1818 Hanging Rock was named Mt. Duvall in honor of William Duvall. Then later about 1820 after Mt. Duvall was designated as the county seat, the name was changed to Rockport.

Abraham Lincoln made a speech from this historic courthouse location in 1844 to promote Whig Presidential candidate Henry Clay. The Spencer County Courthouse, rebuilt in 1921 with Indiana limestone, was dedicated as a Historical Landmark in 1999.

In the early days, the Main Street was at the river bank below the bluffs and today is safely located on top of the bluffs. The scenery from here many artists have proclaimed the most beautiful to be found along the Ohio.