The Hoosier State: Fascinating Indiana Facts You May Not Know
Indiana, known as the "Crossroads of America," is a Midwestern state with a rich history and vibrant culture. Indiana is called the “Crossroads of America” because of its central location and well-developed transportation infrastructure. It is a literal "crossroads" because of the major routes that converge through it.
Indiana’s largest city and capital is Indianapolis, which lies almost dead in the center of the state. The next two largest cities are Fort Wayne and Evansville. Both of these trail Indianapolis pretty significantly, however, when it comes to population.
Indiana has so many fascinating places to visit and see. In some ways, I selfishly like that it’s considered a flyover state because it keeps the masses at bay from discovering this little gem of a state.
If you're planning a visit or are just simply curious, here are some interesting facts about Indiana that you may not know:
State Nickname and Motto:
The Hoosier State: The origin of the nickname "Hoosier" is debated, but it has been widely used since the 1830s to refer to residents of Indiana.
"Crossroads of America": This motto, adopted in 1937, as mentioned above, highlights Indiana's central location and extensive transportation network. It played a major role in the westward expansion due to its location in the country and also because of the National Road (now US Hwy 40) intersecting with another important route at the time (US Hwy 41) in Terre Haute, IN.
Geography and Environment:
Indiana borders Lake Michigan to the northwest and the Ohio River to the south and southeast.
The Wabash River is the official state river and the longest stretch of free-flowing river east of the Mississippi, flowing for 411 miles within Indiana before joining the Ohio River.
Indiana Dunes along Lake Michigan offers stunning beaches, diverse ecosystems, and hiking trails.
Indiana Dunes National Park overlooking Lake Michigan - Pixabay
Indiana limestone, quarried in southern Indiana, is a well-known building material used in famous structures like the Empire State Building and the U.S. Pentagon.
Indiana Caverns is the longest cave system in Indiana and is in the top 7 of the longest cave systems in the U.S.
Culture and Sports:
Basketball is huge in Indiana. The state has a deep-rooted tradition in high school and collegiate basketball, leading to the term "Hoosier Hysteria." Indiana produces the most NBA players per capita.
Indianapolis 500: Indiana is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts the iconic Indy 500 auto race every May. It's one of the most prestigious auto-racing events in the world and the largest single-day sporting event globally, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees. A unique tradition is the winner drinking a bottle of milk.
Famous Foods: Indiana is known for its breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, a popular local dish. Other notable foods include sugar cream pie (the unofficial state pie), corn pudding, and persimmon pudding.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is one of the largest and best children's museums in the world.
History and Innovation:
Indiana became the 19th state to join the Union on December 11, 1816. Its first capital was Corydon before moving to Indianapolis in 1825.
Beautiful View of Indianapolis, IN - Photo Credit: Shane Lear (No revisions have been made by FSP to this photograph) License
The state seal, in use since 1801 and officially adopted in 1963, depicts a pioneer scene with a woodsman felling a tree, a bison fleeing, and the sun gleaming over a distant hill, symbolizing how early settlers overcame the wilderness.
State Seal of Indiana - Wikimedia Commons
Wabash, Indiana, was the first electrically lighted city in the world.
Santa Claus, Indiana, receives hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to the Christmas legend every year, and each is individually responded to.
The Rotary Jail in Crawfordsville is the only known working rotary jail in the United States, built in 1882.
Crawfordsville, IN Rotary Jail - Wikimedia Commons
Indiana was the first state to have a chapel in its state capitol, built in memory of former first lady, Beth Bowen.
Northeast Indiana is known as the "Orthopedic Capital of the World," producing nearly 50% of the global market share for total joint replacements.
State Symbols:
State Flower: Peony (adopted 1957)
State Bird: Northern Cardinal (adopted 1933)
State Tree: Tulip Tree (also known as tulip poplar, adopted 1931)
State Insect: Say's Firefly (named after Hoosier naturalist Thomas Say, adopted 2018)
State Fossil: Mastodon (adopted 2022)
State Snack: Indiana-grown popcorn (adopted 2021)
State Song: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" (adopted 1913)
State Flag: Adopted in 1917, it features a blue background with a torch representing liberty and enlightenment, surrounded by 19 stars (13 for the original colonies, 5 for states admitted before Indiana, and 1 for Indiana itself).
Indiana State Flag - Wikimedia Commons
Notable People from Indiana:
Indiana has been home to many famous individuals, including:
Presidents and Vice Presidents: Benjamin Harrison (23rd U.S. President), and several Vice Presidents including Thomas Hendricks, Charles W. Fairbanks, and Dan Quayle.
Musicians: Michael Jackson and the Jackson family, Axl Rose, John Mellencamp, and Cole Porter.
The Jackson 5, pictured here in 1969, grew up in Gary, IN - Wikimedia Commons
Actors: James Dean, Florence Henderson, David Letterman, Jenna Fischer, Brendan Fraser, Anne Baxter.
Sports Figures: Larry Bird (NBA Hall of Famer), Tony Stewart (NASCAR driver), John Wooden (legendary basketball coach).
Authors: Kurt Vonnegut, James Whitcomb Riley, Jim Davis (creator of Garfield).
Other: Colonel Sanders (founder of KFC), Orville Redenbacher (popcorn entrepreneur), Madam C.J. Walker (self-made millionaire and beauty pioneer).
Indiana has more smalltown charm combined with big city appeal to please anyone. There really is something for everyone in this lovely state. With its natural beauty, midwest hospitality, historical significance, and diverse landscapes, it's definitely worth a stop, visit, and stay if you're ever passing through.
Visit the Indiana Tourism site for more fascinating Indiana facts and also for information on planning a trip to this beautiful state.
As a sidenote: I have no affiliation with any of the links that I shared and make no money from promoting them.