7 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In Indiana
Indiana is for many visitors the quintessential American Midwest. Since joining the Union in 1816, the state still remembers its pioneer spirit, and the developments that produced world-famous native sons, like Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who lived there during childhood. Beyond the state's larger cities, like Fort Wayne and the capital, Indianapolis, small-town life often shows off what Indiana does best. Some of these places look like they came from fairy-tale settings: with picturesque hills and rivers, peaceful living, and a mix of history, vibrant architecture, and all-American cultural happenings. For a short or longer-term visit, Indiana's small towns hold a wealth of pleasant surprises.
Angola
In the state's northeast corner, Angola has welcomed guests and new settlers since incorporating in 1838. Its place next to Michigan and Ohio make it a great base for regional exploration. In fact, Angola earned a spot in 2019 on the U.S. News and World Report's list of best historic U.S. small towns. Downtown Angola features a celebrated, soaring statue, which honors local men who fought and often died in the US Civil War.
Active travelers can stroll Angola's Commercial Historic District, which developed from 1860 to 1960, and today offers a diverse blend of architectural styles, including Classical Revival and Art Deco. North of town sits the popular Pokagon State Park, which is a green space beside Lake James, and a pleasant place to get some fresh air.
Aurora
In southeastern Indiana, Aurora, a charming small town on the Ohio River, sits some 30 miles west of Cincinnati, in neighboring Ohio. Settled in 1819 and sometimes called the "City of Spires,” after its many churches, this distinctive town features a renowned historic district in its downtown area. Aurora's postcard-pretty Main Street draws visitors from around the state, region, and beyond.
Around town, visitors can take in the meticulously preserved buildings in eclectic architectural styles, like the Hillforest mansion, Aurora City Hall, and the First Evangelical United Church of Christ. Stop-worthy green spaces in town include Aurora City Park and Dearborn Trail.
Madison
Madison sits on the picturesque banks of the Ohio River, which forms the border with Kentucky. The charms of this cute southeastern town become clear on a tour of its downtown historic zone, with more than 130 square blocks of protected architecture. In fact, Madison has America's single-largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District.
Culture-focused visitors can soak up Madison's history at no fewer than eight house museums in town, including Madison's “crown jewel,” the Lanier Mansion Historic Site, from 1844. For time amid natural beauty, Clifty Falls State Park includes four separate waterfalls. Active types can stroll or play at John Paul Park, Johnson Park (with its on-site lake), and the Sunrise Golf Course northeast of town.
Monticello
The northeast town of Monticello, rests between Indianapolis and Chicago, along the Tippecanoe River. For an old-fashioned, all-American night out, the Lake Shore Drive-In Theater has parking and great movies outdoors. Nature fans may prefer Monticello's Lake Shafer or Altherr Nature Park, both nearby.
Despite Monticello's modest size, the town boasts a trio of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The James Culbertson Reynolds House features an Italianate design and has stood here since 1873. The town's Carnegie Library, one of numerous sites funded by the industrial baron Andrew Carnegie to support education in the United States and abroad, has stood proudly in Monticello since 1907.
Nashville
In contrast to the Tennessee town of the same name, Nashville, Indiana, is a very small place. Best that may be the secret of its charm. Sitting south of Indianapolis, this Nashville is an short drive from the big city, offering a balance of rural calm and urban comforts.
Art fans can dig into the town's creative legacies: Nashville once hosted the Brown County Art Colony, which took root here in 1908. The site would become one of the most significant places of artistic creativity in the Midwest. Other, more kid-friendly Nashville attractions include the Pioneer Museum, which covers Indiana's history as a territory prior to statehood. For a bite to eat, the Nashville House, a local institution that is famous for its biscuits and apple butter, will mark a century of operation in 2027.
Paoli
The historic small town of Paoli lies in south-central Indiana. While its name suggests an Italian inspiration, the unusual reference is actually from Pasquale Paoli Ashe, the son of onetime North Carolina governor Samuel Ashe, who in turn gave his son the name of the pro-independence leader of Corsica from the late 18th century. (Paoli influenced another illustrious Corsican: Napoleon Bonaparte.) Paoli may be a small town, but its appreciation for history runs deep.
In local culture, Paoli was long a hub of Indiana's Quaker communities. The town's expansive historic district counts more than 140 protected buildings on the NRHP. For nature fans, Paoli sits near Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest, which is one of the last remaining areas of virgin oak forests in southern Indiana. The nearby Hoosier National Forest is another equally beautiful outdoor recreation option.
Wabash
North-central Wabash, which lies along the Wabash River, has carved out an impressive reputation for industrial innovation. The town became the world's first electrically lighted city when the lights first flipped on in 1880. Settled in 1834, Wabash's proximity to the river of the same name has attracted pioneers, industrialists, and innovators for two centuries. Today, the town hosts the Honeywell Center, an arts and entertainment venue, operating since 1952.
Wabash has a diverse mix of historic architecture, including the Eagles Theatre (built in 1906), Wabash County Courthouse (built in 1879), and the Wabash County Historical Museum, illuminating the town's proud industrial accomplishments. To get out of town, head to the Wabash River Trail, a sanctuary of natural scenery, birdwatching, and forest walking.
Small-Town Indiana Is a Dream Come True
These towns promise a pleasant visit to any traveler passing through Indiana. Beyond the bright lights and heavy traffic of Indianapolis or other cities, small-town Indiana offers a return to simper times and fun. Angola and Aurora have parks and green spaces galore. Monticello provides a drive-in movie experience that many might assume was lost to the past. Wabash revels in its various kinds of river recreation. Finally, Madison and Paoli boast of some of the best and most expansive blocks of historic architecture of anywhere in the United States. For a blend of man-made and natural attractions, Indiana's small towns bring together diverse points of interest like few US states can.
