About Us
Wakarusa Chamber
The mission of the Wakarusa Chamber is to strengthen, support, and grow the economic vitality of our member businesses while continuing to develop our town as a tourist destination, and maintaining its historic charm.
The vision of the Wakarusa Chamber is to ensure the community's growth by being a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders & influencers, and a champion for progress in Wakarusa’s quality of life.
Immerse yourself in the heart of small-town life during a visit to Wakarusa. With only one stoplight and locally owned businesses inhabiting century-old buildings, you’ll experience a pace of life that can’t be faked. Here, tree-lined sidewalks guide you through the quintessential small-town Indiana experience: a welcoming, hard-working community ready to show you a world far away from the hectic, crowded one waiting for you back home.
The vision of the Wakarusa Chamber is to ensure the community's growth by being a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders & influencers, and a champion for progress in Wakarusa’s quality of life.
Immerse yourself in the heart of small-town life during a visit to Wakarusa. With only one stoplight and locally owned businesses inhabiting century-old buildings, you’ll experience a pace of life that can’t be faked. Here, tree-lined sidewalks guide you through the quintessential small-town Indiana experience: a welcoming, hard-working community ready to show you a world far away from the hectic, crowded one waiting for you back home.
Our History
In 1836, rural Olive Township was formed in western Elkhart County, and 1849, as the population grew, a post office named Mt. Olive opened.
After more population growth, a new village named Salem was established to prevent people from traveling to either Goshen or Elkhart to conduct business. Since there was already a town named Salem in Indiana, the name was changed to Wakarusa in 1859. The Mt. Olive Post Office was renamed Wakarusa a year later.
The etymology of the name “Wakarusa” is not known. It is thought that the name Wakarusa is from a Native American language, meaning “knee deep in mud”.
After more population growth, a new village named Salem was established to prevent people from traveling to either Goshen or Elkhart to conduct business. Since there was already a town named Salem in Indiana, the name was changed to Wakarusa in 1859. The Mt. Olive Post Office was renamed Wakarusa a year later.
The etymology of the name “Wakarusa” is not known. It is thought that the name Wakarusa is from a Native American language, meaning “knee deep in mud”.
