part of the Then and Now continuing series about the March of Time

You might be a bit surprised to learn that Indiana has had more than one capital, particularly if you’re not a native and/or knowledgeable about Indiana history.

First, the area we know as Indiana was part of the Northwest Territory, but as the population of this territory began to grow, the western portion split off in 1800 to be the Indiana Territory.  The capital of the Indiana Territory was Vincennes.

Indiana gained statehood in 1816, the 19^th in the new(ish) country.  After much discussion, the first state capital was awarded to Corydon.  Transportation at that time was primarily by river, and Corydon’s location on the Ohio River was central in terms of patterns of population growth.

As overland transportation improved, including the construction of the National Road, patterns of population growth changed.  To reflect this, and to locate a capital that was central within state boundaries, the capital was moved to Indianapolis in 1825, a city founded only 4 years earlier.

In 1831 a contract was awarded for the first state capitol building in Indianapolis.  It was to be GRAND in style!

Grand it may have been, but sturdy it was not.  By 1877 it had deteriorated to the point that it was condemned and demolished.

The cornerstone for the current capitol building was laid in 1880 and opened for business in 1888.

If you want to read more in depth on this topic, check out the September 23, 2019 blog, “What’s the Capital of Indiana?”