List of city nicknames in Indiana

Last updated

This partial list of city nicknames in Indiana compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities and towns in Indiana are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. [1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" [2] are also believed to have economic value. [1] Their economic value is difficult to measure, [1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans. [2]

Contents

Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.

The nickname "Athens of the Prairie" was bestowed on Columbus, Indiana, due to the large assemblage of contemporary architecture and public sculpture in the city, including Henry Moore's "Large Arch." LargeArch.jpg
The nickname "Athens of the Prairie" was bestowed on Columbus, Indiana, due to the large assemblage of contemporary architecture and public sculpture in the city, including Henry Moore's "Large Arch."

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vigo County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Vigo County is a county on the western border of the U.S. state of Indiana. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 106,153. Its county seat is Terre Haute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terre Haute, Indiana</span> City in Indiana, United States

Terre Haute is a city in and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, about 5 miles (8 km) east of the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 58,389 and its metropolitan area had a population of 168,716.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fishers, Indiana</span> City in Indiana, United States

Fishers is a city in Fall Creek and Delaware townships, Hamilton County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 76,794, and by 2019 the estimated population was 95,310. A suburb of Indianapolis, Fishers has grown rapidly in recent decades: about 350 people lived there in 1963, 2,000 in 1980, and only 7,500 as recently as 1990.

Mary Fendrich Hulman was the wife of the late Indiana industrialist Anton "Tony" Hulman, Jr. and matriarch of the Hulman-George family that controls Hulman & Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chauncey Rose</span> American businessman

Chauncey Rose was an American businessman during the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana's 8th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Indiana

Indiana's 8th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in southwest and west central Indiana, the district is anchored in Evansville and also includes Jasper, Princeton, Terre Haute, Vincennes, and Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 41 in Indiana</span> Section of U.S. Highway in Indiana, United States

U.S. Route 41 (US 41) in the state of Indiana is a north–south US Highway that is parallel to the Illinois state line. It enters the state south of Evansville as a four-lane divided highway passing around Vincennes and traveling north to Terre Haute. In Terre Haute, it is known as 3rd Street. North of Terre Haute, it hooks east and becomes a two-lane surface road. Those wanting to stay on a four-lane divided highway can use State Road 63 to the west. It passes through Rockville, Veedersburg, and Attica before returning to a four-lane divided highway when SR 63 terminates in Warren County. It remains a four-lane divided highway until Lake County, where it becomes a main road known as Indianapolis Boulevard. It overlaps US 12 and US 20 in Hammond and exits Indiana into the South Side of Chicago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate 69 in Indiana</span> Segment of Interstate Highway in Indiana

Interstate 69 (I-69), also known as the Iraq Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Highway south of Indianapolis, in the US state of Indiana travels southwest to northeast, connecting all 3 of the state's largest cities, Evansville, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne. The highway proceeds north to the state of Michigan, reaching its capital city, Lansing and beyond, and is planned to eventually proceed south to the state of Kentucky and beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Dresser Birthplace</span> Historic house in Indiana, United States

The Paul Dresser Birthplace is located in Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, at the corner of First and Farrington Streets. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the birthplace and boyhood home of Paul Dresser, a late-nineteenth-century singer, actor, and songwriter, who wrote and published more than 100 popular songs. On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly named Dresser's hit, "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away", the state song of Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana</span> U.S. state

Indiana is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the south and southeast, and the Wabash River and Illinois to the west. Nicknamed "the Hoosier State", Indiana is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th state on December 11, 1816.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Indiana</span>

The economy of the state of Indiana is reflected in its gross state product in 2017 of US$359 billion and per capita income of $44,165. A high percentage of Indiana's income is from manufacturing. Indiana has been the largest steel producing state in the U.S. since 1975, with the Calumet Region of northwest Indiana being the largest single steel producing area in the U.S., accounting for 27% of all U.S. steel production. Indiana is also the 2nd largest auto manufacturing state. Indiana's other manufactures include pharmaceuticals and medical devices, automobiles, electrical equipment, transportation equipment, chemical products, rubber, petroleum and coal products, and factory machinery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vonnegut & Bohn</span> Former architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Vonnegut & Bohn was an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" Archived 2013-03-09 at the Wayback Machine , December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007.
  2. 1 2 Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City Archived 2008-05-21 at the Wayback Machine , MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
  3. "Auburn Automotive History". publichistory.iupui.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-17. Auburn, Indiana— Home of the Classics— was once a bustling center of manufacturing.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jacob Platt Dunn (1912), Indiana Geographical Nomenclature, Indiana Magazine of History, Volume 8, page 81.
  5. "The Backstage Blog - Visit Bloomington, Indiana Blog". www.visitbloomington.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  6. "Indiana Hoosiers IU adidas® B-Town Hood". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
  7. Bluffton Archived 2013-06-02 at the Wayback Machine , accessed July 18, 2013.
  8. Bradley, Daniel (November 20, 2023). "Carmel City Council mulling 20 mph roundabout speed limit". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  9. Chesterton, Indiana, accessed July 18, 2013.
  10. Turtle Days Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine , City of Churubusco, accessed April 21, 2007. "Oscar, however, does live on in memories, and is commemorated each year with a four-day Turtle Days celebration. Thus, Churubusco is world-renowned as TURTLE TOWN, USA."
  11. Rich Davis, Words to live by; Pride extends from 'Best Town on Earth' to 'Hub of Universe', Evansville Courier & Press, January 27, 2008.
  12. Columbus, Indiana: "The Athens of the Prairie" Archived 2008-04-09 at the Wayback Machine , accessed April 21, 2007.
  13. U.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008
  14. "The Athens of Indiana". cdpl-history.blogspot.com. 5 June 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  15. Claims to Fame - Products Archived 2007-04-08 at the Wayback Machine , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  16. https://twitter.com/btownmoose/status/1704225289587335198/photo/1 [ bare URL ]
  17. 1 2 Jacob Platt Dunn (1912), Indiana Geographical Nomenclature, Indiana Magazine of History, Volume 8, page 79. "Evansville is the 'Crescent City' from its location on the outer side of a curve on the Ohio River; the 'Pocket City' from its location in and as the metropolis of that part of the State popularly designated at 'The Pocket.'"
  18. Catherine Traylor Gregory, Evansville, Indiana Business Magazine, Sunday, June 1, 1997. Nickname refers to city's location on "a horseshoe-shaped section of the Ohio River."
  19. 1 2 Rich Davis, Words to live by; Pride extends from 'Best Town on Earth' to 'Hub of Universe', Evansville Courier & Press, January 27, 2008. "Evansville has long been 'Stoplight City' to truckers thanks to the dozen or so red lights on U.S. 41. ...And while it's true you'll find 'River City' atop Downtown Evansville's Main Street arches from the 1980s, it could just as easily proclaim Pocket City or Heavensville."
  20. Salter Rodriguez, Rosa (2007-06-22). "'City of Churches' hard to prove: Census stats can't back up old moniker". The Journal Gazette.
  21. Lohrmann, Shannon. "Flood brought out our best". The News-Sentinel.[ full citation needed ]
  22. Olson, Eric (2012-02-29). "30th anniversary of the Great Flood of 1982: Where were you?". Indiana's NewsCenter. Archived from the original on 2014-06-28. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  23. Crothers, Julie (2013-06-18). "Righting a toppled icon". The Journal Gazette. Archived from the original on 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  24. "Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire to consolidate operations to Fort Wayne". Inside Indiana Business. 2004-02-16. Archived from the original on 2014-06-28. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  25. Allen County - Fort Wayne Historical Society Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine , accessed April 21, 2007. "Where does the term "Summit City" come from? When the Wabash and Erie canal was constructed, the highest point (summit) on the canal was at Fort Wayne."
  26. 1 2 THE MAGIC CITY OF STEEL, accessed April 21, 2007. "Local boosters referred to the Town of Gary as the 'Magic City' and the 'City of the Century.'"
  27. Gary's steel town blues, BBC News , January 27, 2002, accessed April 21, 2007. "It is for this reason Gary, with its huge US Steel Gary Works plant – along with other, smaller steel firms – still refers to itself as 'Steel City'."
  28. "Timing not right for study of nickname". Goshen News. 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  29. Hornaday, Joe (2008-10-04). "Help the party come to life". Greensburg Daily News. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  30. Amateur Sports Capital of the World Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine , accessed April 21, 2007. "Indianapolis is certainly deserving of its designation as “Amateur Sports Capital of the World.”"
  31. Hot Spot: April 20-22 [ permanent dead link ], WISH-TV, April 20, 2007, accessed April 21, 2007. "INDIANAPOLIS – Looking for something fun to do with your family this weekend? There is plenty to do around the Circle City indoors and outside."
  32. About Indy: Who We Are [ permanent dead link ], Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, accessed April 21, 2007
  33. 1 2 India-no-place No More, Time Magazine , June 11, 1984, accessed July 27, 2012"
  34. "IndyStar". Indianapolis Star. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  35. Colts' arrival transformed Indy into major sports city, USA Today , January 28, 2007, accessed April 21, 2007. "INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A convoy of moving vans brought more than the Colts to Indianapolis. The westward migration that cold, snowy night almost a quarter-century ago also awakened Naptown to a new era of professional football and transformed the city into a major league sports town."
  36. City of Indianapolis Economic Development Portal: Transportation Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine , accessed April 21, 2007. "The abundance of rail lines caused Indianapolis to become known as the 'Railroad City'."
  37. About Jeffersonville, accessed July 18, 2013.
  38. Information for Businesses, accessed April 2, 2007.
  39. "Lafayette, Indiana- Star City of the West – Tippecanoe County Historical Association | More than a Museum" . Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  40. 1 2 LaPorte, Indiana, accessed July 18, 2013.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jacob Platt Dunn (1912), Indiana Geographical Nomenclature, Indiana Magazine of History, Volume 8, page 80.
  42. History of Grant County & Marion, Indiana Archived 2008-04-18 at the Wayback Machine , accessed April 2, 2007. "Marion fielded professional baseball and roller polo teams, had its opera houses, supported rival street car companies and came within two weeks of operating the first electric interurban line in Indiana. Marion, "Queen City of the Gas Belt," was as exciting as a Roman candle lit at both ends."
  43. Haughn, Tyler (August 25, 2022). "Martinsville of tomorrow: City looks to update comprehensive plan". The Reporter-Times. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  44. Bowman, Sarah (August 24, 2022). "From Indiana to your aquarium: Oldest private fish farm in the U.S. raises goldfish, koi". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  45. 1 2 A History of Excellence Archived 2009-07-25 at the Wayback Machine , City of Mishawaka website, accessed June 19, 2009
  46. Huppke, Rex (April 27, 2003). "Day of prayer turning into day of discord". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  47. Roysdon, Keith; Walker, Douglas (2016). Wicked Muncie. The History Press. ISBN   978-1-43965-665-5.
  48. Lasley, Norma (2012). "Muncie". Delaware County. Arcadia Publishing. p. 57. ISBN   978-0-7385-9430-9.
  49. City of Peru, accessed April 2, 2007. "Being the "Circus Capital of the World", we celebrate our heritage each July with our own world class youth circus and parade."
  50. City of Richmond: Rose View Transit Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine , accessed December 9, 2015
  51. "Covered Bridge Capital of the World, Rockville". Indiana Office of Tourism Development. Archived from the original on 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  52. "Roselawn, Indiana". Roadside America. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  53. Buttle; Tuttle (2008). "Naked City (Indiana) Airport". PlaceNames. Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  54. Our Town – Speedway’s Vision Defined! Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine , accessed April 2, 2007. "Speedway, Indiana is the true Racing Capital of the World."
  55. Terre Haute: Queen City of the Wabash, accessed April 2, 2007.
  56. Crossroads of America: In the days before the interstate system, Terre Haute was at the center of travel. Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine , accessed April 2, 2007. "Terre Haute's claim as "Crossroads of America" dates back to the roaring '20s, when the city boasted newly paved U.S. 40 and newly designated U.S. 41."
  57. History of Terre Haute, Vigo Co., IN - 1880, accessed April 2, 2007. "Certainly no more beautiful location could have been chosen for the "Prairie City.""
  58. Vigo County Historical Society: History of Terre Haute, accessed April 2, 2007. "The city's dream of becoming the Pittsburgh of the West was not realized because of inferior ore and the development of Lake County's steel industry."
  59. City of Valparaiso ~ Vale of Paradise, accessed April 2, 2007.
  60. Valparaiso, Indiana, accessed July 18, 2013.
  61. Town of Van Buren, Indiana, website Archived 2012-11-10 at the Wayback Machine , accessed 10 May 2011.
  62. Vision Archived 2010-03-14 at the Wayback Machine , Knox County (Indiana) Chamber of Commerce website, accessed 20 November 2011
  63. 1 2 Warsaw: a growing "orthopedics capital of the world.", Indiana Business Magazine, January 1, 2006. "Five industries employing more than 5,500 have earned Warsaw, long dubbed "Lake City" because of its three lakes, a new moniker. Today, Warsaw is also known as the 'Orthopedic Capital of the World.'"