Morocco is a town that is part of Newton County, located in Northwest Indiana. It is a thriving, bustling region located on the South Shore of Lake Michigan and within close proximity to Chicago. The region attracts more than 50 million tourists a year to its world-class amenities. Let's delve into the history of this charming town and its surrounding areas.
Map of Newton County, Indiana
Founding and Naming
Morocco was established in 1851 by John Murphey, making it the first town in Newton County. It is believed to be named after a traveler's red Moroccan boots.
Morocco is located just west of the intersection of US 41 and Indiana 114.
Morocco, the americain town !!! la petite ville américaine موروكو، البلدة الأمريكية
The documentary "Morocco, Morocco" unravels the mystery of how the small town of Morocco in Indiana got its name. The film traces the story of an 1851 traveler’s red leather boots--featured prominently on the town’s welcome sign--back to the kingdom of Morocco.
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Morocco, Morocco is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Early Development
Connect with our county's economic development commission. We are proud that the Newton County Business Center is located in downtown Morocco! We couldn't be more proud of our homegrown, Morocco businesses and organizations!
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,129 people, 463 households, and 299 families living in the town. The population density was 999.1 inhabitants per square mile (385.8/km2). There were 526 housing units at an average density of 465.5 per square mile (179.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.1% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races.
There were 463 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The median age in the town was 40.5 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,127 people, 499 households, and 296 families living in the town. The population density was 1,947.0 inhabitants per square mile (751.7/km2). There were 508 housing units at an average density of 877.6 per square mile (338.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.31% White, 0.09% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.98% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races.
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There were 469 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,176, and the median income for a family was $40,089. Males had a median income of $32,109 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,776.
Notable Figures and Events
Several notable figures have ties to the area around Morocco. Here are a few examples:
- George Ade: One of America’s most popular journalists and the author of the best-selling “Fables in Slang.” In 1908, he was the foremost playwright of the American theatre. Ade had built his beautiful Tudor-style home on his beloved Hazelden Farm near Brook, Indiana, a few years earlier.
George Ade, the celebrated humorist, embodied a unique blend of charm, creativity, and amiable disposition. Standing tall and slender, with thick eyebrows framing pale blue eyes, he exuded a sense of leisure and kindness. Despite initial shyness, Ade’s interactions with others were delightful, leaving a lasting impression.
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Ade’s legacy extended beyond his wit and humor. His Tudor Revival Style cottage, nestled in the grove, evolved into a two-story, fourteen-room masterpiece. Leaded glass windows adorned the upper floor, complemented by beamed and vaulted ceilings. Decorators from Chicago collaborated on the interior, incorporating Ade’s tapestries, furniture, and art objects collected during his travels to the Far East.
- William Howard Taft: In 1908, William Howard Taft visited the Hazelden Farm estate of George Ade in Brook, Indiana, to formally kick-off his successful campaign to be the 27th President of the United States.
- James P. McCray: Indiana's thirtieth governor, was born near Brook, Indiana, on February 4, 1865. At the age of fifteen, McCray finished his education and went on to work as a clerk in his father's bank, the Discount and Deposit Bank. He became a successful businessman, with interests in grain elevators, grocery stores, and Hereford cattle breeding.
McCray entered public service in 1904, serving on the board of trustees for the Northern Hospital for the Insane, a position he held until 1912. He also served on the Indiana Board of Agriculture from 1912 to 1916, was chairman of the Food Conservation Committee of Indiana during World War I, and served as a trustee of Purdue University from 1917 to 1918.
- Rice: was a baseball player born on February 20, 1890 on a farm near Morocco, Indiana. Rice is considered to be one of the greatest athletes to be born and reared in the Newton County area. The Beaver Township baseball field is named in his honor.
Things to Do
Morocco is a nature-lover's paradise. Visit Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area to enjoy hunting, fishing, wildlife watching and camping. The more than 7,000-acre Kankakee Sands is an exceptional place to enjoy nature.
Other attractions include:
- 41 No Limit Raceway quarter-mile drag strip
- Antique Snowmobile Museum, Indiana's only museum dedicated to vintage and antique snowmobiles
- Beaver Lake Museum and Two Rivers Reference Library
- Indiana Dunes State and National Parks
Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area
Education
There are great opportunities for higher education / adult learning near Morocco, Indiana. "Big10" Purdue University (Northwest and West Lafayette Campuses), Indiana University Northwest, and Ivy Tech Lafayette are all only between 53-63 minutes away!
Additionally, Morocco is home to:
- Morocco Elementary School
- North Newton Jr-Sr High School
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