Putnam County was created by an act of the General Assembly in December of 1821. The county was named after one of two Revolutionary War Generals named Putnam (thought to be Israel Putnam) but the legislature carelessly, or perhaps judiciously, did not specifically indicate which one. Putnam County consists of thirteen townships: Russell, Franklin, Jackson, Clinton, Monroe, Floyd, Madison, Greencastle, Marion, Washington, Warren, Jefferson, and Cloverdale.

Greencastle, virtually the center of the county and on a hill overlooking the Big Walnut Valley, became the county seat after early settler Ephraim Dukes and his wife deeded part of their land to induce the government to Greencastle. The first court convened here in 1824, although the jail had been built a year earlier.

The first transportation breakthrough came when the National Road (today's US 40) was built between 1827 and 1834, linking Putnam County to Indianapolis to the east and Vandalia, Illinois to the west.

The first fifty years of Putnam County saw the settling of the land and the steady development of what was primarily an agricultural economy. This early prosperity is evidenced by the fine homes built throughout the county in the Civil War era. Early industry in Putnam County depended on local raw materials - the fruit of the land and forest.

Historical change and increased prosperity have brought diversity to Putnam County. Population growth has been steady and, for the most part, conservative. The county has avoided the growing pains, which often come from sudden disruptions.

Source: Putnam County Interim Report, Published April 1982.

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