Elkhart is a Midwestern American city located in the state of Indiana. Top industries in the city include manufactured housing, recreational vehicles, musical instruments and pharmaceuticals.http://www.elkhartindiana.org/ The city is home to Bethel College, an Evangelical Christian college affiliated with the Missionary Church.http://www.bethelcollege.edu/ The Elkhart Municipal Airport offers charter services, tiedowns and hangar space.http://www.airnav.com/airport/KEKM

In 2009, Elkhart became the focus of an MSNBC documentary news series about towns affected by the recession.http://elkhartprojectblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/04/07/2648590-why-elkhart The Elkhart Project focused on the town’s struggle with area unemployment, lack of opportunities in the area and the needs of the residents.http://elkhartprojectblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/04/07/2648590-why-elkhart The city was chosen because of its severe unemployment rate (19.6% at the start of filming), the history of manufacturing in the area, and the resilience of the people in the area.http://elkhartprojectblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/04/07/2648590-why-elkhart President Barack Obama visited the city three times in less than a year to discuss the city’s troubles and discuss options for help before MSNBC took on the city’s cause.http://elkhartprojectblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/04/07/2648590-why-elkhart

The area to become Elkhart was originally occupied by the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie tribes of Native Americans.http://www.elkhartindiana.org/egov/docs/1167354162275.htm The first European settlers in the area arrived in 1827. In 1831, Elkhart was founded by Dr. Havilah Beardsley, who purchased the land from a Pottawaomie Chief for $1,500.http://www.elkhartindiana.org/egov/docs/1167354162275.htm He chose the name “Elkhart” because the island that sat where the rivers met resembled the heart of an elk.http://www.elkhartindiana.org/egov/docs/1167354162275.htm By the late 1800s, the city had built a dam over the St. Joseph river and constructed hydraulics to provide power to the residents.http://www.elkhartindiana.org/egov/docs/1167354162275.htm

Elkhart is located at latitude 41° 40' 54"N and longitude 85° 58' 36"W. http://www.travelmath.com/city/Elkhart,+IN It is 21 square miles in area, with a population density of 2,428 persons residing per square mile. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/1820728.html The city is approximately 109 miles from Chicago, 134 miles from Indianapolis and 203 miles from Detroit. http://www.elkhartindiana.org/ Major highways in the city’s area include Highways 15, 4, 33 and 13. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=264827

The terrain in the Elkhart area is generally flat, as it is part of the outwash plain for the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers.http://www.isco.purdue.edu/psmp/apendx/apendb.pdf The growing season in the area ranges from 160 to 190 days, with an annual rainfall of between 36" and 46".http://www.agclassroom.org/kids/stats/indiana.pdf The area has "Miami" soil, which is rich in nutrients and mainly used in growing corn, soybeans and wheat.http://www.agclassroom.org/kids/stats/indiana.pdf

• Ruthmere Museum: Historic mansion built in 1908 and restored by the Beardsley foundation, featuring exhibits on local culture and historyhttp://www.ruthmere.org/
• Midwest Museum of American Art: showcases 19th and 20th century American art including works by Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses.http://midwestmuseum.us/
• Woodlawn Nature Center: Ten-acre forest and meadow property with woodland trails, outdoor picnic areas and educational activities.http://www.woodlawnnaturecenter.com/
• RV/MH Hall of Fame: Museum of the history of RVs and Manufactured Homes, including significant designers and inventorshttp://www.rvmhhalloffame.org/
• Ideal Beach Family Water Park: Twin corkscrew waterslides, a kiddie pool, miniature golf, and a lifeguarded beachhttp://www.amishcountry.org/destinations/idealbeachfamilywaterpark
• Elkhart Campground: 25-acre facility offering miniature golf,swimming, horseshoe pits, tennis and basketball courts, square dancing and a playgroundhttp://www.elkhartcampground.com/

• Billy Zane: Actorhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000708/
• Gail Washington: Actresshttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm2393860/
• Jason Jolliff: Filmmakerhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm1189789/
• Connie Smith: Musicianhttp://www.conniesmithmusic.com/
• Shawn Kemp: NBA playerhttp://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=Shawn_Kemp