Ten Fabulous Reasons to Visit Corydon, Indiana
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Paul Wonning
Author
Indiana has reached a milestone in 2016 as it attains its 200th birthday. Corydon, Indiana served as the first capital of the Hoosier State from 1816 until 1825, when it moved to the new city of Indianapolis. Visitors can wander the streets of Corydon while imagining the hustle and bustle of legislators and Supreme Court justices as they went about their duties.
Squire Boone, Daniel Boone's younger brother, settled in the area on Buck Creek in 1804. He chose the site because years before, on a hunting trip in the area, had escaped death by hiding from native warriors that were pursuing him by hiding in nearby cave. Squire Boone built the first gristmill in Harrison County. He is buried in the cave that saved his life.
This is the final resting place for many of Corydon's earliest residents. Established in 1808 on ground donated by Indiana Territorial Governor Thomas Posey, the cemetery also contains the remains of Confederate soldiers killed in the Battle of Corydon.
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Constructed around 1811, the structure housed the Harrison County government until the Territorial Capital moved from Vincennes to Corydon in 1813. After Indiana achieved statehood on December 16, 1816, the building housed the Indiana General Assembly until the state capital moved to Indianapolis in 1825.
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During the summer of 1816, forty-three delegates gathered to write the first Indiana Constitution. The weather was hot and sultry. The delegates gathered under a massive elm tree to draft the Constitution in its cool shade.
The Indiana Supreme Court Chambers resided inside the Capitol building with the legislature.
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On July 7, 1863, Confederate Brigadier General John Morgan crossed the Ohio River into Indiana and began the longest raid in the Civil War. He ranged across southern Indiana and Ohio. The only pitched battle he fought was at Corydon on July 8, 1863. At Corydon, about 400 men and boys faced off against Morgan's 2400 battle hardened veterans. During the battle, three Hoosiers and eight Confederates were killed. Morgan managed to flank the defenders and place his cannon overlooking Corydon and called on the men to surrender. Seeing no alternative, the Union commander capitulated.
Built in 1891 to serve as a school for area black children, the building has since been converted into a cultural and educational center.
Visitors can walk the charming streets and shop in Indiana’s first state capital.
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Park visitors can hike on bluffs overlooking the Ohio River for some magnificent views of the river. The restored pioneer farm and hay press barn in the park are also popular destinations.
The Corydon area is rife with caverns. Squire Boone Caverns, Wyandotte, Marengo and Indiana Caverns are all cool places to spend a hot summer's day.
Hoosiers wishing to learn about Indiana’s rich history must visit this beautiful and historic region of southern Indiana. It is where Indiana began. Have you ever visited Corydon?
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