Podcast – USS Vincennes Monument
Located in Vincennes, Indiana, the USS Vincennes Monument is a granite monument located near the Old Cathedral near the intersection of Main and First Streets. T Continue reading Podcast – USS Vincennes Monument
Tag: indiana
A Sampling of Indiana Auto Trails
What could be more fun than a cross-country road trip across Indiana? Discover Indiana’s covered bridges, wineries, caves and much more by taking one of the auto tours listed in this guidebook. The book lists over thirty Indiana road trips for Hoosiers to take while they learn the history, culture, arts and natural wonders of the Hoosier State. Fun Indiana Road Trips includes a description of the Auto Trail, contact information, Indiana county tourism sites and a guide to navigating Indiana’s system of back roads. Continue reading A Sampling of Indiana Auto Trails
Podcast – The John Hunt Morgan Trail
On July 8, 1863, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan crossed the Ohio River at Brandenburg, Kentucky and invaded Indiana. His army consisted of two thousand cavalrymen and a couple of cannons. His purpose was to divert Union General Ambrose Burnside’s Army of the Ohio in eastern Tennessee and make them come north. Continue reading Podcast – The John Hunt Morgan Trail
Podcast – Eli Stout Print Shop
Located near the Red House, the last building on the tour is the Eli Stout Print Shop. Mr. Stout served as the printer for the Indiana Territory. He received $500 per year to print the laws passed by the Territorial Assembly. The building originally stood on Second Street before the State moved it to this location. The shop has a printing press similar to the one Stout used. A fire in the print shop destroyed his press. The shop also has a replica newspaper of one he printed, type cases and other tools used by printers of that era. Continue reading Podcast – Eli Stout Print Shop
Vincennes State Historic Sites
The buildings in the State Historic Site include a log barn that serves as a visitor center, a schoolhouse, the old Territorial Capitol and the Eli Stout Print Shop. The State of Indiana has moved all the buildings here from other locations and all are Indiana State Historic Sites. The tour costs a nominal fee and includes all four buildings. It will take about half an hour and is well worth the investment Continue reading Vincennes State Historic Sites
Vincennes Old Cathedral
The Old Cathedral near the Wabash River in Vincennes, Indiana is an inspiring place to visit. The church is open to visitors during the daylight hours. Take care not to visit the church during Mass, as it is an active Catholic Church. The staff does offer guided tours, however, visitors may elect to tour on their own and that is what we did. Continue reading Vincennes Old Cathedral
Sample Chapter – Fun Indiana Road Trips
The Nature Trail Head
The Violet and Louis Calli Nature Preserve consists of 180 acres. The trailhead for the self-guiding trail is adjacent to the parking lot on the same side of the road. The trail is just a bit over two miles long. There is a brochure available in a box at the trailhead that describes 18 stations along the course of the trail. There is also a notepad for you to register, just for fun. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Fun Indiana Road Trips
Fort Knox II
Vincennes was the site of five forts during the colonial, revolutionary and post revolutionary periods of United States history. The French built a fort, Fort Vincennes, in 1731-1732. The French held Vincennes until the end of the French and Indian War. The French surrendered the fort and most of their North American possession at the conclusion of the war, in 1764. Continue reading Fort Knox II
Fun Indiana Road Trips
What could be more fun than a cross country road trip across Indiana? Discover Indiana’s covered bridges, wineries, caves and much more by taking one of the auto tours listed in this travel guide book. The book lists dozens of Indiana road trips for Hoosiers to take while they learn the history, culture, arts and natural wonders of the Hoosier State. Fun Indiana Road Trips includes a description of the Auto Trail, contact information, Indiana county tourism sites and a guide to navigating Indiana’s system of back roads. Continue reading Fun Indiana Road Trips
Podcast – The Mary Clark Decision Ended Slavery in Indiana
The French brought slavery with them when they settled the area that is now Indiana in the early 1700’s. When the British took control after the French and Indian War, the practice continued. At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, there were slaveholders in the area. Continue reading Podcast – The Mary Clark Decision Ended Slavery in Indiana
Happy Birthday, Ripley County
I will start at the county seat, Versailles. Platted in 1819 by Mr. John Ritchie. It was not the first county seat, that honor is reserved for New Marion, which had the first court session in 1818. The court moved to Versailles shortly after and has remained there ever since. Continue reading Happy Birthday, Ripley County
Video – Indiana Military Museum
Military buffs visiting Vincennes will want to visit the Indiana Military Museum. At the entrance of this impressive museum the visitor passes by a military guard shack watched over by a uniformed mannequin in full uniform. Continue reading Video – Indiana Military Museum
Grouseland, President William Henry Harrison Mansion
The Daughters of the American Revolution, Francis Vigo Chapter, own Grouseland.
When you visit Grouseland a volunteer from the group will conduct a guided tour of the mansion. Continue reading Grouseland, President William Henry Harrison Mansion
Podcast – Lesko Park and Dearborn Trail – Dearborn County, Indiana
Lesko Park occupies a grassy, landscaped strip along the Ohio River waterfront. There are three parking areas strung along Indiana State Road 56 just west of downtown Aurora. River access for boats is nearby using the Aurora Landing just off Judiciary Street. The park derives its name from Aurora Clerk-Treasurer Tony Lesko.
Lesko Ohio River Park features a wide, asphalt walkway which is about a mile long. The walkway provides a great way to get a bit of exercise after a picnic lunch. It is an easy hike along the river. Continue reading Podcast – Lesko Park and Dearborn Trail – Dearborn County, Indiana
Podcast – The Story of the Indiana State Basketball Championship
Each year in March the event known as Hoosier Hysteria begins and several hundred Indiana high school basketball teams begin their quest to become the best basketball team the state has to offer. This is a short history of this beloved Indiana institution. Continue reading Podcast – The Story of the Indiana State Basketball Championship
The Story of Indiana Native Colonel Harland Sanders
Greetings, today I will talk about Indiana native Colonel Harland Sanders.
Everyone is familiar with Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food chain. Few may know, however, that Colonel Sanders was born and raised near Henryville, Indiana in Clark County, Indiana. Continue reading The Story of Indiana Native Colonel Harland Sanders
The Father of Indiana Basketball – Ralph Jones
Most basketball fans know that the athletic director at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, James Naismith, invented the game of basketball in 1891. Continue reading The Father of Indiana Basketball – Ralph Jones
Video – Hickory Ridge Fire Tower
While on a camping trip to Brown County State Park, we took the opportunity to use our camping sticker to inspect the campground and facilities in the Paynetown Recreation Area on the northern shore of the lake. Paynetown has an electric and a non-electric campground, hiking trails, boat docks, boat rental and picnic shelters.
State Road 446 crosses a bridge that carries the highway over the lake. We crossed this and turned right into the Cutright Recreation Area, which consists mostly of another boat ramp. Continue reading Video – Hickory Ridge Fire Tower
Podcast – Indiana’s Pivot Point
Greetings, Today I will discuss the Pivot, or Initial Point in Indiana.
What is the Pivot Point, you ask? Well, it is the initial point of all land surveys in Indiana. The point was established by a surveyor team led by Ebenezer Buckingham on September 1, 1805. I did visit the site in the summer of 2025, however I did not walk back to the actual stone marker, as it is on private land. An historical marker near the road is about 600 yards east of the stone pillar. Continue reading Podcast – Indiana’s Pivot Point
Video – The Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park
The Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park
Today we will tour the pioneer village at Spring Mill State Park. Continue reading Video – The Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park
Mossy Feet Books - Author Paul R. Wonning 