Cataract
Cataract is an unincorporated community in Jennings Township. Platted in 1851, it takes its name from the large waterfalls, or cataract, nearby. A post office was established at Cataract in 1846, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1936.
Situated on Mill Creek, Cataract was once the milling and mercantile center for a large area of the county before the railroad came through. The original survey consisted of fourteen lots. The large flouring and saw mill of Theodore C. Jennings early gave the place considerable importance and induced many persons to secure lots and settle in the village. A carding machine was one of the first industries of the place, operated by Jennings in conection with his other mills, and a store which was brought to the village soon after it was laid out. The lumbers mills sent their product to Gosport and Greencastle, while flour was hauled to Louisville and other distant points for several years.
One of the first buildings in the village was erected for a business house by A.M. Bullett. An early occupant, for around ten years, was Clune & Co. of Cincinnati, who stocked it with a large assortment of miscellaneous merchandise. Other merchants in the area included Creech & Campbell, A. M. Hodge, Jack Lewis, L. T. Gose and T. D. Stilwell, E. W. Pritchett & Son (who ran a drug store). There was also a wagon and blacksmith shop. Medical men in the area included W. V. Wiles, Cole, J. B. Grimes, Hamrick, J. M. Jones, William Nichols, William Hickson, B. F. Spellbring, Brasier, George McNutt, and J.H. Medaris.
Isaac Russell operated sawmills in the area and H. Barnaby was a woodworker.
In 1858 the following businesses were listed in Cataract:
- Acord, T.W. carriage and wagon maker
- Beaman, A. farmer
- Beaman, James; justice peace
- Haltom, J.W. attorney at law
- Haltom, J.W. proprietor Haltom House
- Hardin, P. farmer
- Hester, W.W. physician and surgeon
- Hodge, Phelton Rev. Methodist
- Hunter, David blacksmith
- Hutson, J. attorney at law
- Jennings, T.C. & Co flour and grain dealers
- Jennings, T.C. proprietor water grist mill
- Jennings, T.C. lumber dealer
- Jennings, T.C. Postmaster
- Jennings, T.C. proprietor water saw mill
- Kennamanm, W.M. cabinet and furniture dealer
- Leonard, A. farmer
- Maze, W.A. blacksmith
- Nicholls, Tobias; cooper
- Pool, David blacksmith
- Reeves, Alexander & Son; carpenters and builders
- Swan, G.C. boot and shoe dealer
- Smith, Allen proprietor, Travelers Home
- Townley, J.R. clothier
- Wiles, W.V. & Co. clothiers
- Wiles, W.V. & T.C. Jennings general store
- Wiles, W.V. physician and surgeon
- Yant, Reuben; hide and leather dealer
In 1916, a newspaper noted that Lem Smith had opened a restaurant in the Hurst building on Main Street.
