Indiana History Guide

The Crossroads of America" has long been just that. Three rivers gave the area special strategic value to early settlers: the Ohio, the Wabash and the Kankakee. The region was inhabited by migratory tribes of Native Americans possibly as early 8000 BC. These tribes succeeded one another in dominance for several thousand years. The Shawnee, Miami, Delaware, Mahican, and Potawatomi tribes were just a few of these different groups.

In 1679, the French explorer Robert de La Salle traveled through the Ohio River Valley area; he claimed the lands for France; French fur traders soon ventured in and isolated trading posts were established. Forts were built during the 1720s in Miami (near Fort Wayne) and Quiatenon (near Lafayette). Vincennes became the first permanent settlement in Indiana about 1732.

The first European war to affect the region began in 1689. King William's War had little impact on the region, but some of the native tribes took part in minor raiding near the British colonies. The second conflict to occur was Queen Anne's War and lasted from 1740 to 1748. Although no battles occurred in Indiana during the second conflict, the French convinced many of the regions Native American tribes to join in raids against the British colonies. The conclusion of Queen Anne's war saw French control of Canada compromised, and that would lead to Canada's fall to Britain in the next conflict.

As the French expanded their control in the region, Jesuit (Catholic) priests soon followed. Their mission was to convert the Native Americans to Christianity, and although that task proved difficult, their attempts proved rather fruitful for the French as Indians became their valuable allies against a widening British influence.

The French Indian War (1754-1763) ended with British victory and control of all land east of the Mississippi River, including Indiana. However British troops did not enter the Indiana region until 1777, during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). George Rogers Clark of Virginia led American soldiers into Indiana to fight Britain and claim Indiana as American land. Their victory in 1779 of Fort Sackville in Vincennes, led to American control of the northwest. After the war, Indiana became part of the Northwest Territory in 1787.

The Northwest Territory was formed by the Congress of the Confederation on July 13, 1787, and included all land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes and the Ohio River. This single territory became the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and eastern Minnesota. The act established an administration to oversee the territory and had the land surveyed in accordance with The Land Ordinance of 1785.

At the time the territory was created, there where only two American settlements in Indiana, Vincennes and Clark's Grant. The entire population of the northwest was under 5,000 Europeans. The Native American population was estimated to be near 20,000, but may have been as high as 75,000. Several Indian tribes joined together under chief Tecumseh to fight the new settlers and save their lands. The Native Americans were defeated in two important battles, the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 and the Battle of the Thames in 1813. In 1815, many of the Native Americans left, leaving settlers free to develop the land.

On Dec. 11, 1816, Indiana became the 19th state to join the union. Indiana struggled financially at first. Many of the farmers that bought land from the federal government did not have to pay taxes the first five years. During the 1820s, the state received grants from the government to build roads and canals.

Between 1889 and 1910, Standard Oil Company, U.S. Steel Corporation, and others, built huge facilities along Lake Michigan's shoreline, creating industrial towns (almost overnight). Although it remained a mostly rural state, that corporate expansion transformed northern Indiana into a steel and oil refining mecca. World War II (1939-1945) was the catalyst for a much-needed comeback as Indiana participated aggressively in the war effort; airplanes, munitions and steel manufacturing provided thousands of new jobs, and a much needed tax base.

The tragic events of World War I (1914-1918) were an economic boost for Indiana businesses, as they produced profitable supplies for the war effort; automobile, iron and steel production led the way.

During the 19th century, Indiana was the site of several experimental communities, including those established by George Rapp and Robert Owen at New Harmony.

Indiana's 41-mile Lake Michigan waterfront, one of the world's great industrial centers, turns out iron, steel, and oil products. Products include automobile parts and accessories, mobile homes and recreational vehicles, truck and bus bodies, aircraft engines, farm machinery, and fabricated structural steel. Wood office furniture and pharmaceuticals are also manufactured.

The state is a leader in agriculture with corn the principal crop. Hogs, soybeans, wheat, oats, rye, tomatoes, onions, and poultry also contribute heavily to Indiana's agricultural output.

Much of the building limestone used in the U.S. is quarried in Indiana, which is also a large producer of coal. Other mineral commodities include crushed stone, cement, and sand and gravel.

Indiana Famous People

• Anne Baxter (1923 - 1985) Famous actress; born in Michigan City.
• Larry Bird (1956 - ) Basketball Hall of Famer who led the Boston Celtics to three NBA championships (1981, 1984, 1986); born in West Baden
• Bill Blass (1922 - ) Fashion designer; born in Fort Wayne.
• Jim Davis (1945 - ) Creator of Garfield; born in Marion.
• James Dean (1931 - 1955) Famous actor for movies like Rebel Without a Cause; born in Marion.
• Benjamin Harrison (1833 - 1901) 23rd President of the United States; lived in Indianapolis, where he practiced law.
• Michael Jackson (1958 - ) Singer and songwriter famous for songs such as Thriller and Beat It; born in Gary.
• David Letterman (1947- ) Comedian late night show host; born in Indianapolis.
• John Cougar Mellencamp (1951 - ) singer, songwriter; born in Seymour. 
• Jane Pauley (1950 - ) Television journalist that hosts Dateline; born in Indianapolis.
• Kurt Vonnegut (1922 - ) Well-known author of books such as Slaughterhouse Five; born in Indianapolis.
• Wilbur Wright (1867 -1912) Inventor; born near Millville.