Morgan County has been associated with more than one kind of capital. In the 1820s, Old Town Waverly Park was once proposed as the site for Indiana’s state capital. Today, its county seat, Martinsville, is known as the “Goldfish Capital of the World” because of Ozark Fisheries, which raises goldfish in 300 one-acre ponds and… Continue reading.

Johnson County is home to Franklin College, one of Indiana’s oldest colleges. Established in 1834, it was initially named the Indiana Baptist Manual-Labor Institute before the Indiana General Assembly renamed it. Notable alumni include Arch West, the marketing executive behind Doritos, and Robert Wise, an Academy Award-winning director and producer of “West Side Story” and… Continue reading.

Greene County is home to one of the largest wetland restoration sites in the United States — the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Spanning more than 9,000 acres of restored prairie and marshland, the nature preserve attracts more than 12,000 visitors annually for birdwatching, fishing, and hunting. History across the trestle Known as Indiana’s… Continue reading.

Wayne County is home to Hoosier Hill, Indiana’s highest natural elevation. At 1,257 feet above sea level, its summit is nestled in a wooded area surrounded by farmland. After repeated thefts of wooden signs marking “Indiana’s Highest Point,” Wayne County’s government replaced them with a more permanent solution, an engraved boulder. A treasure hunter’s dream… Continue reading.

Union County, located on the Indiana-Ohio border, is the second least populous county in Indiana, following Ohio County. It is home to the Union County-College Corner Joint School District, the only joint state school district in Indiana and Ohio. The girl behind ‘Little Orphant Annie’ Born in Liberty, Indiana, Mary Alice “Allie” Smith inspired Hoosier… Continue reading.

In the early 1800s, Fayette County became a place for settlers after land was purchased from Native Americans through treaties like the 1809 Treaty of Fort Wayne. This cleared the way for new communities to grow and develop in southeastern Indiana, which was once part of the larger Northwest Territory. Sudoku’s puzzling origin story Howard… Continue reading.

Rush County is known for its “Lion Pride,” celebrating Rushville Consolidated High School, the county’s only high school, and its mascot. In 2012, alumnus Brian Sheehan launched the “Lion Pride” campaign to boost community pride. Now, many businesses and homes across Rush County display lion paintings and sculptures. From Rush County to Hollywood Actor Gerard… Continue reading.

Hamilton County, the second-most populous county in Central Indiana after Marion County, offers its visitors and residents a variety of recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and waterfront living on two man-made lakes, Geist Reservoir and Morse Reservoir. In 2017, the county’s city of Fishers was named CNN Money’s Best Place to Live in the United… Continue reading.

Home of “Turtle Town, USA,” Whitley County has the highest number on Indiana license plates, 92, because it’s last alphabetically in Indiana’s counties list. Whitley County also has six landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places, including the former home of Thomas R. Marshall, the 28th U.S. vice president. Shell-ebrating a local legend  Churubusco,… Continue reading.

By Nicole Thomas Located in central Indiana, Hancock County is a part of the National Road Heritage Trail, a project repurposing old railways into recreational paths across the state. The county’s Pennsy Trail follows the route of the former Pennsylvania Railroad, offering a scenic path for walkers, runners, and cyclists while honoring the county’s transportation… Continue reading.

By Nicole Thomas In the late 19th century, Wells County joined the Trenton Gas Field oil boom, contributing to Indiana’s expanding oil and natural gas industry during the 1880s and early 1900s. The county’s seat, Bluffton, Indiana, also hosts one of the state’s oldest and largest street fairs, dating back to 1898.  Bison and beyond… Continue reading.

By Nicole Thomas Scott County honors its pioneer past at the Scott County Heritage Center and Museum, located in the former Scott County Poor Farm. Established in the late 19th century, the poor farm provided shelter and care for those unable to support themselves because of economic hardship or disabilities before modern social welfare programs… Continue reading.