These Historic Towns in Indiana Are Worth Exploring
Indiana is a prototypical midwestern state with lots of farming villages, but it also has beach towns along Lake Michigan, river towns along the Ohio River, and other unique and inviting communities in between. Many of Indiana's towns were founded in the 1800s and have done a great job preserving their historic character. To help you plan your next visit to the "Hoosier State," learn more about these seven historic Indiana towns that are worth checking out.
Madison
Madison sits along the Ohio River about halfway between Cincinnati, Ohio (70 miles away) and Louisville, Kentucky (50 miles away), and once rivaled those cities as a riverport. Madison's commercial prominence faded in the late 1800s, but numerous grand structures from its golden era have been preserved in the Madison Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. Madison walking tour highlights include the 1817 Schofield House and 1844 Lanier Mansion, not to mention the beautiful river views.
French Lick
The nearby mineral springs gave birth to French Lick as a health resort town in the mid-1800s. Since 1897, a sprawling complex of grand buildings now called the French Lick Resort and Casino has dominated the town's skyline. From this starting point, a 1-mile walking tour through French Lick's quaint downtown area leads to another architectural wonder, the West Baden Springs Hotel, which has a 1902 atrium with an amazing 200-foot wide dome. Best of all, you can finish a day of walking and sightseeing with a relaxing spa treatment!
Corydon
Today's Corydon is a small dot on the map of southern Indiana, but it was the state's first state capital from 1816 to 1825. Fortunately, visitors to downtown Corydon can still tour the Old Capitol Building, Governor's Mansion, and other historic buildings from the 1820s. Corydon has another historic connection as the site of the only Civil War battle in Indiana, memorialized at the Battle of Corydon Park. Additionally, Corydon is next to a natural, historic wonder, Indiana Caverns, the largest cave system in the state.
Angola
Angola, founded by New York and New England settlers, is centered around a classic New England-style town square. Impressive buildings like the Steuben County Courthouse line the square, while the center is dominated by the 67-foot-tall Steuben County Soldiers Monument, built in 1917. The adjacent Angola Commercial Historic District includes several buildings from the 1800s, some of which house antique shops (one of Angola's specialties). Visitors can combine sightseeing and antiquing in town with a nature walk around Lake James at nearby Pokagon State Park.
Paoli
Paoli was founded in the 1800s by Quakers, a religious group that was vehemently opposed to the institution of slavery. The town became a part of the Underground Railroad that helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada, and several historic markers and sites in Paoli highlight this important aspect of its past. Similar to Angola (but on a smaller scale), Paoli also has a cute town square with an impressive county courthouse. Additionally, Paoli is close to Paoli Peaks, one of only two downhill skiing resorts in the mostly flat state of Indiana.
New Harmony
New Harmony was founded along the Wabash River in 1814 by the Harmonists, a utopian community from Pennsylvania. In 1825, the Owenists, another utopian group, established their short-lived experiment in town. The New Harmony Historic District includes several homes and other structures from the town's founding era. At the same time, the Atheneum building serves as the New Harmony Visitors Center and an ideal starting point for a walking tour. Meanwhile, the Wabash River offers great sightseeing and outdoor recreation opportunities. The area is so pretty that you may start to believe in utopia!
Metamora
Metamora was founded during Indiana's short-lived canal-building boom in the 1830s and 40s, serving as a stop along the 76-mile-long Whitewater Canal between the Ohio and White Rivers. Railroads made the canal obsolete within a few decades. Metamora, fortunately, remained frozen in time. Visiting this tiny village of about 200 residents feels like a trip into the past. Sightseeing highlights include the still-functioning gristmill, the scenic railway that follows alongside the canal path, and boat tours that run along the remaining navigable section of the canal.
Indiana is sometimes called the "Crossroads of America" because of its many interstate highways. Still, it would be a big mistake to pass through the Hoosier State instead of exploring it. Skip the interstates and instead hit the smaller highways and country roads to discover some of the state's many historic communities. Indiana's small towns have charmed settlers and visitors alike for over two centuries and are waiting to charm you as well!
