Montpelier /mɒntˈpiːliər/ is a city in Harrison Township, Blackford County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

In 1836 and 1837, several groups of settlers from Vermont moved to East Central Indiana, and settled on the high ground on the south side of the Salamonie River.

Baldwin and his son-in-law, civil engineer John Cook, surveyed the area in 1836, and it was platted on September 5, 1837.

Montpelier was not the first community in what would become Blackford County – a village named Matamoras existed earlier.

Blackford County's first successful oil well, located just south of Montpelier, began producing during 1890.

[11] Montpelier was thought to be "the very heart of the greatest natural gas and oil field in the world".

[12] By the mid-1890s, about two-thirds of Harrison Township (25 square miles) was considered part of an oil-producing region.

[11] Montpelier became a city where “money and whiskey flowed frequently”, and numerous other “recreational activities” were available.

The robbers quietly left town, driving east on Indiana State Road 18, without being followed.

Future Northern Indiana, including what became Harrison Township and Montpelier, was flattened by two glaciers millions of years ago.

[19] These glaciers are also responsible for the rich Blackford County farmland, which includes the land surrounding Montpelier.

[20] Located in the Harrison Township portion of Blackford County, Indiana, Montpelier is adjacent to the Salamonie River.

There are four distinct seasons, with winters being cold with moderate snowfall, while summers can be hot and humid.

Average monthly precipitation ranges from about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm), with the heaviest occurring during June, July, and August.

Although Montpelier's peak population shown in the adjacent table (source: U.S. Census) is 3,405, the city is thought to have had over 6,500 residents around 1896 during the Indiana Gas Boom.

Despite its smaller size, Montpelier High School won five sectional basketball tournament championships.

[32] Additional sporting activities in Montpelier include Little League baseball, Tee Ball, and softball.

[34] This Labor Day weekend celebration features musical acts, a Jamboree Queen contest, and other activities.

A big man at six feet tall and 300 pounds, Godfroy was the last war chief of the Miami Nation.

[38][39] A sculpture of a Plains Indian stands in downtown Montpelier, donated by Chief Larry Godfroy.

The “Ice Cream Giant” at the former Point Restaurant north of Montpelier was also featured in this clip.

The Norfolk Southern Railway provides freight railroad service connecting Montpelier to Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.

[42][43] Indiana Highway 18 runs through Montpelier, and Interstate 69 is 14 miles (23 km) west.

The nearest airport with commercial flights is located 40 miles (64 km) north in Fort Wayne.