It all started about 300 million years ago: an ancient sea existed over what is now Indiana (hard to believe, I know). In this sea, life flourished, and as critters lived and died; over time, the remains of starfish, corals, and other animals were ultimately left behind. These, in turn, eventually became thick deposits of some of the finest limestone in the world. People think of the Hoosier State and they usually think of corn, but what they should be thinking about is limestone. Limestone in Indiana is a big deal – a really big deal – and it’s been used in buildings that might just surprise you (hint: they’re very famous structures).

The quarries are contained mostly within Monroe and Lawrence Counties, with a few other, much smaller (and un-mined) deposits in Washington, Owen, and Harrison Counties.
William Alden/Flickr
For the most part, one can find the most notable limestone quarries to this day in towns like Bloomington, Bedford, and Stinesville.
Bedford is by far the Limestone Capital of Indiana - as well as the Limestone Capital of the world.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Indiana produces up to 80 percent of all the limestone quarried in the U.S.; at the time of this writing, Indiana has nine working, active quarries producing approximately 2.7 million cubic feet of limestone per year.
Still not convinced it's a whole thing? You'll be amazed to learn which buildings and structures in the United States were constructed with beautiful, nearly-perfect Indiana limestone.
John Brighenti/Flickr
For example, the Lincoln Memorial (pictured above) is one of several Indiana limestone-based structures that just so happen to be world-famous.

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Other notable buildings include the Empire State Building in New York City.
sabl3t3k/Flickr
One does not simply visit New York City without seeing and photographing the Empire State Building... and without Indiana's limestone, it wouldn't be anywhere near as beautiful as it is.
Grand Central Station is another notable structure in New York made with our uniquely-perfect limestone..
Stephen Ed/Google Local
Oh, and another big one...
...is the Pentagon.
ysirzamiu/Google Local
So what's so special about Indiana's limestone, then? Well, plenty of things - when quarried, it's soft and easily malleable. It's durable, easy to cut, and makes for some truly beautiful final products.
If you didn't know, now you do: Indiana is the limestone capital of the world, and it's a well-deserved title.
The West End/Flickr

Curious about some of these quarries? You can visit – and even swim! – in a few of them. Check out my favorite swimming quarries in Indiana for a great time! Need some swimwear? No worries – our friends at REI have you covered. You can also get something warm from there, too, if you’re checking out the quarries during the chilly season.

Did you know about Indiana’s limestone-rich history? If not, now you do! Do you have a favorite quarry? Let me know!

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