7 Towns in Indiana that Transport You to the Past
Some of the best experiences take place in old spaces that transport you into the past. With its rich history, Indiana is one such place that can deliver these compelling moments. Indiana became the 19th state in 1816, but its history of European settlement goes back further to French forts in the 1700s. This Midwestern state was one of the earliest frontiers in American history as people from across the original 13 colonies moved west.
These settlers founded many towns where you can discover everything from an old state capitol to a utopian community to one of the largest historic districts in the United States. You will also find a relaxing Amish community and a town where it's Christmas all year! Explore these seven Indiana towns that transport you to the past.
Corydon
Corydon is a must visit for any Indiana history buff. Located in Southern Indiana, Corydon served as the first official state capital from 1816 to 1825, prior to the capital moving north to its current location in Indianapolis. Despite this move, Corydon has preserved its legacy, and strolling through its streets will transport you to the early 1800s.
Within its historic downtown, tour the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, a federal style limestone building and the Governor Hendricks Headquarters, a two story federal style brick house for one of the first governors of the state. Corydon was also the site of the only Civil War battle fought on Indiana soil, which is preserved at the Battle of Corydon Park. After exploring these sites, take in some natural history within the Indiana Caverns. See a 40-foot waterfall, Ice Age bones, and go on an underground boat ride.
Wabash
Named after the Wabash River, this small town has a big claim to fame. On March 31, 1880, the city became the first place in the world to be illuminated by electrical street lamps. This moment would change history forever, as all aspects of modern life now rely on electricity to function. This first occurred on the dome of the Wabash County Courthouse, an Italian Renaissance building constructed just the year prior. Visitors can see this historic spot up close or check out the Wabash County Museum at the Memorial Hall building just next-door.
You can also see what life was like in Wabash before electricity at the Dr. James Ford Historic Home, a Civil War physician who lived and did surgeries here. Lastly, Wabash has several log cabins at the Paradise Spring Historical Park, which mark the spot where Potawatomi and Miami tribes signed a treaty with the US ceding the land north of the Wabash River.
Shipshewana
Some communities like to keep the old ways alive. Within America, none are as dedicated to traditional ways of living as the Amish. The small town of Shipshewana has one of the largest Amish populations in the US, and visitors to this town can see this old way of life firsthand at the Menno-Hof museum. This museum provides information on Amish lifestyle and faith and even a 14th century boat. Visitors can also see Amish life up close with a guided Amish tour.
For those interested in the history of the town, Shipshewana has a Historical Society Museum, which has artifacts from the town's namesake: Chief Shipshewana. Lastly, the town proudly displays 30 hand-painted murals on barns across the countryside, which can seen during a driving tour.
Santa Claus
There's nothing like an old fashioned holiday to transport you back to the past. Santa Claus, Indiana believes in this principle deeply, which is why it celebrates the holidays all year long. Legend has it that when the townsfolk were meeting at the church to decide the town's name, the doors blew open and the sound of ringing bells were heard. The children began shouting that Santa Claus had arrived, and so the name Santa Claus was chosen.
Today, Santa Claus preserves its historic buildings within a charming Santa Claus Museum & Village, which contains the 1880 church, a 1935 statue of Santa and the original town post office where children can still send letters to St. Nick. History buffs can also visit the nearby community of Lincoln City to see the boyhood home of US President Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. There's also a pioneer village that has living reenactors and the Lincoln State Park, which preserves the natural ground that Lincoln traversed on as a young boy.
New Harmony
The past has many stories to tell, and many of them are stranger than fiction. New Harmony's story is certainly a very intriguing one to tell. The town was founded by a group of religious utopians called the Harmony Society in 1814. This group aimed to have the ideal Christian community. However, that didn't quite work out so they sold it to Robert Owen in 1825, who also aimed to create the ideal society.
Visiting this town will transport you back into the past as you explore sites created by or inspired by these utopian communities. These include the Community House Number 2 where the residents lived together, the Thrall's Opera House, or the Harmonist Labryinth, a privet hedge maze meant to invoke feelings of mindfulness. Experience the spiritual mindset of the founders at the Roofless Church, an open air cathedral built in 1960 that is breathtaking to see up close.
Madison
Madison is famous among Indiana towns for having the largest historic district in the state. Its 133 blocks of historic buildings are preserved from its heyday in the 19th century when Madison served as a major steamboat stop on the Ohio River. What is truly impressive about this area is the diverse types of buildings. For example, you can tour the gardens and interior of the luxurious 1844 Greek Revival style Lanier Mansion or learn about the history of abolitionist efforts in Indiana at the Historic Eleutherian College, constructed in the 1850s by the Neil's Creek Anti-Slavery Society.
One of the oldest places in town is the Masonic Schofield House, built in 1815 as an inn and tavern that was later the first Indiana Grand Lodge of Freemasons. Lastly, there is the unique Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum, a place that made parts of horse saddles and one of the last in its kind in the US.
Vincennes
Vincennes will easily transport anyone back to the past, as it is the oldest founded town in Indiana. The French set up shop here in 1772. After they were driven out of the area by the British, Vincennes served as the territorial capital of the Northwest Territory. The French influence is preserved in the 1809 Old French House, built in the Creole style similar to structures in New Orleans and the Old Cathedral Catholic Church, an 1826 church built on the grounds of the original log church built in 1732 by French settlers.
Vincennes was also the home of lesser known President William Henry Harrison, who served as the Northwest Territory Governor at the 1803 Grouseland Mansion. Lastly, Vincennes will make one feel like they are in D.C. at the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, the largest national monument outside of Washington D.C., which commemorates the conquest of the territory.
A Glimpse into Indiana’s Past
The past isn't dead, it's a living thing that continues to influence us to this day. This is apparent in these small Indiana towns. Experience the impact of the American Civil War at the Eleutherian College in Madison or the Battle of Corydon Park. In these towns, you can see how the wealthy lived in mansions or how common people like Abraham Lincoln's family made their living just outside of Santa Claus. These seven Indiana towns will not just transport you to the past, they will teach you about the past has impacted you and the communities you are apart of.
