Anderson.
1 City (2020 pop. 54,788), seat of Madison co., E central Ind., on the White
River; inc. 1838. It is a manufacturing center in a fertile farm area; food products, aircraft
parts, furniture, and industrial fabrics are produced. There also are call-center operations
and horse racing and gambling. The city's industrial growth began with the discovery of
natural gas in 1887. The automotive industry was established in 1901 and became the city's
largest employer, but it declined in the late 20th cent., leading to a major population loss
as well. Anderson Univ. is there. The city has a fine-arts center and a symphony orchestra.
Nearby Mounds State Park has numerous prehistoric mounds. The Moravians operated a Native
American mission nearby (1801–6). 2 City (2020 pop. 28,106), seat of
Anderson co., NW S.C.; settled in the 17th cent., inc. 1828. The commercial center of a
farming and livestock area, its industries include the manufacture of electronic equipment,
machinery, paper and plastic products, and textiles and apparel.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. Political Geography