The One Small Town In Indiana With More Historic Places Than Any Other
By Tori Jane|Published August 19, 2022
×
Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Did you know that there’s a charming, historic small town in Indiana that’s jam-packed with all kinds of fun and amazing things to do and see? Yep – it’s the town of Versailles, and you’d be amazed at just how much history is packed into this little place. Let’s dive into some of the more intriguing parts of its history, and maybe begin planning our next day trip, shall we? Come see why the historic town of Versailles, Indiana, belongs on your bucket list – especially if you’re a fan of history and historical places:
Versailles, Indiana, was originally established in 1818, though the area as a whole has hundreds and hundreds of years of history even before that.
There is often rumor and mythos surrounding why the town is named what it's named; it's been said that the reason it's called Versailles is because John Paul's ancestral home was in France, though this doesn't make sense considering "Paul" was a Dutch name at that time. It's much more likely that the town's name was derived from John DePauw, one of the three men who selected the site for the soon-to-be township. DePauw was French, and it's most likely that he would have volunteered the name.
No matter how it got its start, though, one thing is certain: Versailles is a historically-rich small town in Indiana - possibly the most so when compared to other older towns of the Midwest.
When it comes to landmarks and historical buildings and sites, Versailles certainly reigns as king; it would be impossible to visit everything in just one or two days, though if you decided to make a day trip out of it, we do have some suggestions as to what you should see.
Advertisement
Downtown Versailles is a delight, and it's covered head-to-toe in old structures with lots of stories to tell.
Be sure to visit the Ripley County Superior Courthouse, which was built between 1860 and 1863, and visit some of the shops and eateries downtown. You can't miss a visit during the spring, when hundreds of blossoming cherry trees line the streets.
Check out some incredible historic homes, and then pay a visit to the strange - but totally awesome - Tyson United Methodist Temple, which is so incredibly unique that you'll know what it is before you even see the sign.
It was built in 1937, and it's definitely worth a visit even if you're not religiously inclined. The architecture and age of the place alone makes it worthy of a gander or two.
Visit the stunning world of Versailles State Park, which just so happens to be Indiana's second-largest state park and is filled to the brim with amazing hiking trails perfect for a nice afternoon out.
Another historic structure worth checking out is the Busching Covered Bridge, which can be found on E County Road 25 South in Versailles. Built in 1885, it's one of those places you'll want to bring a camera for - cell phone photos just don't do it justice!
So, seriously, if you're a history geek like us or you're just looking for a way to kill a day, consider a visit to the old town of Versailles.
Come for the history... stay for all the time it's gonna take you to see it all!
What do you think? Where are your favorite places to visit in Versailles? Bonus if you tell us about your favorite restaurants there! Which small towns in Indiana do you have on your bucket list at the moment? Let us know!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
