The following was taken from the History of Shelby County written in 1882. The information has been slightly modified,
but the original intent left intact. There are paragraphs following updating the information.
Freeport was laid out by Ira Bailey, Alexander Rittenhouse and John McCormick March 17 1836. Surveyed by Joseph
B. Nickel, County Surveyor March 17 1836. Also Acknowledged by Hopkins Harris "as far as his land comes into
the said plat, and wishes the same to go to the record," April 25 1836. On the line between Sections 14 and
15, Township 14 North, Range 7 East, Shelby County Indiana. There were twenty-eight lots laid off. Main Street,
located on the public road running north and south on the said section line 40 feet wide, variation 5° 45´.
Bailey's Addition to Freeport by Ira Bailey May 7 1838. Surveyed by Joseph B. Nickel, County Surveyor. Thirteen
lots laid off "south of the original town plat, on the east side of the section line, and reading from the
east side of Main Street to the Blue River. Laid out to the south line of said Section 14." The location of
Bailey's mill at the present site of Freeport, early in the 1920's, brought many people there for bread stuff and
made it a desirable point for the location of a store, which was done a few years later by John Corell, who it
is claimed was its first merchant.
This however is disputed by others who claim to know, saying John McCormick deserves the credit of being the first
merchant in Freeport. Nathan Prince, Alexander Rittenhouse and Judge Bailey were also early merchants. The present
business of the town consist of a flower mill, owned by Alexander Mellis and a general store by A.F. Kinsley.
In the year 2000, there are no merchants in the town of Freeport, and Bailey's Mill, has long since fell into ruins.
All that is left of the old mill are the foundation stones and the dam. There are approximately 50 homes in the
area, which has been bypassed by the more growing Morristown, which is close by across the Blue River.