About Oxford, Indiana
Located in Oak Grove Township, Oxford is home to nearly 1200 people. Founded in 1843, Oxford was home for the first Benton County Courthouse. Our brick-paved town square is home to the annual Farmer’s Market in the summer. We have two parks with shelter houses that can be rented for reunions, receptions and parties. Our youth attend Prairie Crossing Elementary School and Benton Central Jr/Sr High School. Open to the public, Oxford is fortunate to have the Oak Grove Country Club, an 18-hole golf course.
Oxford is known as the “Home of Dan Patch”. Dan Patch was a world famous harness racing horse, whose 1906 record pace of 1:55, for the mile, stood for 32 years. The barn that housed Dan Patch still stands.
Living In Oxford
Home is where the heart is...
...And we've got plenty of that! Oxford is a caring community. Connected with our surrounding county, the commitment to our citizens reaches beyond the town border. Take a look around and you'll see what we mean.
Review some quick facts below and be sure to take a look at the links we've provided to housing information, local businesses, happenings and education. It's all part of what Oxford is proud to offer.
Take a tour of the town courtesy of Jake's Aerial Photography
LOCAL UTILITIES
Electric:
Warren County R.E.M.C.
765–762-6114
Gas:
Northern Indiana Public Service Co.
800-464-7726
Water/Sewage/Waste:
Town Of Oxford Office
765-385-2150
Telephone:
AT&T
800-288-2020
TRAVEL DISTANCES
Chicago, IL (107 mi)
Cincinnati, OH (199 mi)
Cleveland, OH (337 mi)
Columbus, OH (259 mi)
Detroit, MI (296 mi)
Fort Wayne, IN (125 mi)
Fort Wayne Intl. Arprt. (129mi)
Grand Rapids, MI (224 mi)
Indianapolis, IN (85.6 mi)
Louisville, KY (201mi)
Milwaukee, WI (202 mi)
Toledo, OH (235 mi)
HEALTH CARE
IU Health Family Medicine
(Nearest Doctor's Office)
407 N Meadow St
Otterbein, IN 47970
Hospitals
IU Health Arnett Hospital
5165 McCarty Ln
Lafayette, IN 47905
765.448.8000
Franciscan Health Lafayette East
1701 South Creasy Lane
Lafayette, IN 47905
765-502-4000
St. Vincent Williamsport
412 N. Monroe Street
Williamsport, Indiana 47993
765-762-4000
Learning in Oxford
Oxford is proudly part of the the Benton Community School System!
Otterbein School is part of the the Benton Community School Corporation. The corporation includes three elementary schools for grades Kindergarten thru 6th grade and one Jr./Sr. High School grades 7-12. Accredited by the North Central Association, the school corporation is filled with seasoned teachers and offers many programs including Adult Continuing Education, After-school programs and an excellent array of athletic and extracurricular activities for our young people.
Small school vibes. Big school opportunity.
Be proud to be a Bison! Watch below to get a picture of what's offered at
Benton Central High School....that includes our contagious team spirit.
Higher Ed
In Oxford you can live a life of small town charm while completing quality higher education! Did you know that Oxford's downtown is only 19 miles from "Big-10" school Purdue University, and 26 miles from Ivy Tech's Lafayette Campus? Also, see the Higher Ed section of our County's Education Page for more information on Agriculture Development and Education opportunities, and other Adult Education through Benton Fountain Warren Adult Education "
Ivy Tech Community College
Lafayette, IN (26.5miles)
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN (19.4miles)
Purdue University
Ivy Tech Community College
Oxford History
We are known as the home to Dan Patch, world famous harness racing horse. But first...
History of Oxford
The first settlers came to graze cattle on the lush prairie grasses. They built their houses among the groves of trees, to protect themselves from the harsh winter environment, just as the Indians had done. They named the area White Oak Grove. This was near the intersection of two major Indian trails. An old, oak tree still stands, just west of Crown Street, with its branches permanently bent, they say, by the Indians to point the direction of the trails.
In 1843 the settlers soon decided they needed to establish a county government. So, Benton County was formed, at Basil Justus’ Tavern just south of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, on Michigan Rd. under some large oak trees, which still stand.
The first County Court House was constructed in the Town Square Park. When the need for restoration or rebuilding came, Moses Fowler led a successful drive to move the Court House to Fowler, Indiana, the geographic center of the county. Today Oxford has a lovely Park on the site where the first Court House stood.
Oxford is also known as the “Home of Dan Patch”. Dan Patch was a world famous harness racing horse, whose 1906 record pace of 1:55, for the mile, stood for thirty two years. Dan Patch was so well known throughout America, that he was called the first “Sports Superstar”
Oxford has a great heritage. To learn more about our town’s history, refer to the book entitled “Tales of a Prairie Town”, by Howard C. Gillispie, at our library.