In the Book:
Southeast Indiana Day Trips
Road Trip Indiana – Clarksville, Indiana
Description
In this episode listeners will remain in Clark County as I talk about Clarkstown, Indiana. This one covers the George Rogers Home site, where Lewis and Clark launched their famous expedition, the Falls of the Ohio and two live theatres operating in Clarksville. Join me for another exciting road trip in southeastern Indiana.
Transcript
Greetings. In this episode, we will remain in Clark county. As I talk about Clarkstown indiana listeners can find complete information about Clarksville and other places around southeast Indi indiana by purchasing my book southeast indiana day trips from my road trip indiana series. This is the first book in the series and the only one available now, though the next one will be available shortly. Um, right now it is august 22nd as I this, this one should be available by the beginning of September or maybe a little bit later in 1922 or 23. There will be nine books altogether. As the year progresses with rising gas prices, many hoosiers, including my wife and myself, are choosing a vacation closer to home. Using this podcast, I will tell you about the many places in southeast Indiana where you can visit and have some fun and unique experiences.
Clarksville, Indiana
Clarkstown was plotted in 1784 by a board of trustees that included the town’s namesake. General George Rogers Clark. It is considered the first American town in what would become indiana. The first town of course was Vincent’s plotted in 70 founded in 17 32 but this was the french trading post. Clarksburg. Clarksville is the first town that was settled and originated by Americans. An historical marker located at Clark boulevard and Harrison Avenue near downtown Clarksville notes the event. Clark used the area as a base camp in 1778 during his expedition to capture Vincennes from the British his capture of Vincennes along the Wabash Cahokia and Kaskaskia Along the Mississippi River cemented the United States claim to the region at the Treaty of paris in 1783 Virginia controlled this territory that become the Northwest territory until seven 1989 when it ceded the region to the United States government. Virginia awarded Clark 150,000 acres after the Revolutionary War, which consists of most of current Clark County. Clarksville was at the eastern terminus of a wildlife trail known as the Buffalo or Vincennes Trace. Millions of buffalo used to trace as they trucked across other Illinois to cross the Wabash River near Vincennes to the falls of the Ohio. The buffalo were on their way to the salt licks at Big Bone State Park along the Ohio River in northern Kentucky at the Falls. The river was shallow enough. The buffalo could cross the river and go to the licks to get their dose of salt that they needed.
Clark Home Site
The Department of Natural Resources protects the Clark home site on the western edge of the Falls of the Ohio State Park. This cabin served as the home of General Clark for the last years of his life. His brother William was staying with him when he received the invitation from Merriwether Lewis to accompany him on their now famous expedition and the two would co-captain the expedition, William. Clark recruited many of the men from indiana Kentucky and Virginia that went on the Corps of Discovery mission three year mission, which launched from the site in 1803. They also planned much of the mission at this site and historical marker on the site and notes the event. The cabin on the site is not the original one, that one was destroyed. A replica, much like one that clark lived in is on the site. The site also has a boat ramp, historical markers interpreting what was going on here at the time.
Falls of the Ohio State Park
The Falls of the Ohio State Park is at 165 acres is the smallest state park in Indiana. The Falls of the Ohio were a series of rapids that allowed the river to fall 26 ft in a little over 2.5 miles. The falls created a shipping impediment on the Ohio River barges and flat boats that were traveling the river had to dock and unload their cargo and ported it to the other side. Flat boats could float down, but it was a hazardous trip. The park preserves the immense fossil bed that is exposed in the riverbed, visitors may walk over these beds, visitor center educates visitors on the history and geology of the area. The best time to visit is in the fall. When river levels are low, allowing visitors to walk over the area and examine the fossils. Note you’re not allowed to collect any of these fossils. You can photograph them and enjoy them just by looking at them.
Indiana’s First State Prison
In addition to the historic markers noting the location of the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the founding of Clarksville. Visitors will find one noting the site of Indiana’s first state prison. At the corner at the corner of Clark, Clark boulevard and Harrison Avenue near downtown Clarksville, you can find the location of the indiana’s first state prison constructed in 18 22. The state used it until fire destroyed the facility in 1918, the state sold the land to the Colgate company. Some of the buildings still remain.
Colgate Clock
One of the buildings has the Colgate clock, which is the second largest timepiece in the world. Second only to London’s Big Ben. The clock measures 40 ft in diameter and has hands 16 and 20 ft long, respectively. The Colgate clock has been a major southern indiana landmark for nearly seven decades since it was first turned on in november the 17th 1924. The clock is easily discernible from across the Ohio River. In Louisville Kentucky. The Colgate clock sits atop the former Colgate Palmolive factory in Clarksville that occupies the former prison called the indiana Reformatory South Colgate Palmolive purchased the building in 1921 after a fire damaged the building, the state of indiana moved the prison to Pendleton indiana, the Colgate Palmolive Company moved the clock from Jersey City, New Jersey in 1920 for the Colgate clock is a Seth thomas master feet piece designed by the Colgate engineer Warren day in 1906. The clock still keeps time and the neon lights still illuminated by night, even though the Colgate Palmolive Company no longer uses the building.
Derby Dinner Playhouse
Visitors to Clarksville can enjoy live theater that to play houses in the city at the Derby Dinner Playhouse and the Clarksville Little Theater. The Derby Dinner Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously operating dinner theaters in Indiana. Caroline Thomas opened the theater in 1974 and it has operated and become one of the most successful dinner theaters in the United States is located in Clarksville indiana. The theater features food and entertainment in one bundle special Children’s theater during the week. This is currently the only professional dinner theater in southern indiana. Enjoy a lavish buffet before the performance while being musically entertained by a singing group. You’ll find it at the 525 Marriott Avenue for tickets, phone 812-288-8281.
Derby Dinner Playhouse
525 Marriott Drive
Clarksville, IN 47129
Tickets (812) 288-8281
P (812) 288-2632
F (812) 288-2636
Clarksville Little Theater
You can also be entertained at the Clarksville Little Theater. It has its beginnings and a vision of clarksville resident Mr Julius Obermeyer with the help of the Clarksville Optimist Club. The George Rogers Clark parent teacher association and others. Mr Obermeyer stage, a musical production in 1947. The first place took play in the George Rogers clark school gym. The group moved this place to Clarksville often his club using a portable stage. Members of the troupe stored the stage in their garages when the play was not in production. A committee formed for the purpose and raised money to buy land to build a theater. The Clarksville Little Theatre has operated at that location ever since, holding several productions in a year. You can find this place at 301 east Montgomery Avenue Clarksville indiana 471 to 9. You can phone 812283652 to the website.
Clarksville Little Theater
301 E. Montgomery Ave.
Clarksville, IN 47129
812-283-6522
Find out more about these Indiana day trips and many more by purchasing the book. You can find it on my website, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com on the Road Trip Indiana category. Just scroll down to the categories, click the road trip indiana series. There are links to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play and other online booksellers. They choose to purchase the book an e book or soft bound version. An audiobook version is also available on Google Play. You can also order the book direct from me the author on the web page. If you wish me to sign the book, just send me an email to mossyfeetbooks@gmail.com requesting a signed book and instructions on how you want me to address it. Note if you send me an email, I will add you to my contact list readers on the list or receive an email from me announcing when I publish a new book. If you do not wish me to add you to the list, just tell me and I will not do that listeners to this podcast that want email notification of my new releases. Can just send me an email request edition to your list. You can choose to have your name removed at any time. If you browse the website, you will find dozens of sample chapters, one for each of my book. I hope you enjoyed this podcast and thank you for listening.
Indiana Places and History Podcast
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