What Was The Capital Of Indiana Before It Was Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has been the capital of Indiana for almost 200 years. It’s easily the most well-known city in Indiana, and its name is a combination of the state name, “Indiana” (which means “Land of the Indians”), and the Greek word “polis” (which means “city”). While Indy is a clear choice for the capital city of Indiana, it wasn’t always the home of the state house.

In the early 1800s, before Indiana was even a state, the capital of the then-U.S. territory was Vincennes, a small city on the western edge of the state, bordering Illinois. The old capitol building was constructed in 1805 and can still be found in this historic city.

As Indiana grew closer to obtaining statehood, it was decided that the capital would be moved to Corydon, a more central location for delegates to meet. Corydon became the first official capital of the state of Indiana in 1813, and the state’s constitution was drafted in this charming city in 1816, under a large elm tree known to this day as the “Constitution Elm.”

At the time, Indianapolis was very different than the bustling city Hoosiers know today. It was little more than a frontier site, and the closest settlement was over 60 miles (96.5 kilometers) away. Still, with its new official title, Indy began to grow slowly, with the addition of a courthouse in 1825 and the National Road in 1827, making travel to this city easier and faster.

Over the next two centuries, Indy continued to flourish, with the expansion of railroads in the mid-1800s, the construction of the famous Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in 1905, and the success of the Indianapolis Speedway in 1911. Since then, Indy has continued to build and expand, becoming the modern hub that exists today.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.