 Newton is the largest and oldest town in Jasper County. Because of its favorable location within the county, it was named county seat in 1835. Jasper County was formed in 1831 and approved on Dec. 19, 1834. The county was named after American Revolutionary War hero, Sergeant Jasper. He and his close friend, Sergeant Newton, were patriots that saved American prisoners of war from certain death at the hands of British soldiers. Thus, the county and town became their namesakes.  A post office was established in Newton in March of 1883. The post office was not established in a building, but rather in a man’s hat. A rider brought the mail from Vincennes, Ind., made a stop in Newton once a week and then continued delivering mail on his route north of Newton.
By 1841 the town had increased to five families. Lawrence Hollenbock and Samuel Garwood built a saw and grist mill and Benjamin Harris opened the first grocery store in Newton. In 1855, Newton had Miller’s Hotel and a small inn known as The
American House that is now Yesterday's and Today’s Pub.  By 1865, the population of Newton grew to 300 and a decade later reached 400 people. In 1874 Joe Litzelman’s Hack Express began traveling daily to and from Olney on what is now Route 130.
Census 2010 reported a population of 2,849 City of Newton residents. The community is made up of local businesses, industry, a high school of more than 450 students and many organizations and churches. Photo credits:
Marilynn Weber, Robert Cummins | 
