20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Indiana You Won’t Believe

The state of Indiana has seen a lot of stories and has gone through a lot of changes since it became a state of the Union. Furthermore, there are a lot of interesting tidbits about the state that not many people are aware of.

We’re here to present 20 mind-blowing facts about Indiana that you won’t believe while briefly discussing them and alluding to their significance. Also, we will share how some of these fun facts came to be.

20. State Colors Are Blue and Gold

The state of Indiana did not have state colors for the first century of its existence. However, there was a change in 1917 when the Indiana General Assembly passed a vote to determine the state flag’s colors. It is one of the many mind-blowing facts about Indiana that not many know about.

19. Indiana Was The First State to Have a Chapel in The State Capitol

Otis R. Bowen was one of the many governors Indiana has had over the years. Likewise, his wife, Beth Bowen, was a beloved figure in the state. The state adored her so much they opted to base a chapel on her memory after she passed in 1981. Significantly, it made Indiana the first state to have a chapel inside its capitol doors.

18. Basketball Has a Rich History

Dr. James Naismith created the sport of basketball in Massachusetts. However, the inventor attended a game in Indiana in 1936 when he was 75 years old, and the creator of the sport was in awe of the program the state had developed. Naismith noted that seeing the gymnasium with 15,000 people thrilled him in a way he would never forget. Moreover, he stated that basketball really started in this state, and it was where the heart of the sport lived.

Basketball is currently incredibly popular in Indiana. Significantly, the Indiana Hoosiers have won five NCAA championships and 22 Big-10 championships. The Indiana Pacers have won three ABA championships and nine division championships. Overall, basketball and its popularity are among the mind-blowing facts about Indiana that do not seem to be winding down anytime.

17. Corydon Was the Original Capitol

Indianapolis is currently the capital of Indiana. However, it was not always the case. For the first nine years, Corydon was the capital of the state. Ultimately, the state legislators and leaders decided a central location was a better preference. They decided Indianapolis was a better solution for the capital since it was directly in the center of the state.

16. The State Constructed the Indianapolis Capitol in 1888

The current capitol building was not always the original Indiana location. First, they were in the Marion County Courthouse from 1825-1835. The state constructed the Second Statehouse right before moving into it in 1835. Later, in 1877, the state leaders decided the old architectural style was out of date and moved into temporary facilities for the next 11 years. Finally, the state leaders moved into the current statehouse in 1888 and have remained there since then.

15. The Cardinal is the State Bird

Indiana went through many changes over the first century. Likewise, it did not adopt a state animal until it passed the century mark. The state officially made the cardinal the state bird in 1933, according to the Indiana Historical Bureau. Now, the bird proudly represents all the best parts of the state, and this is another one of the mind-blowing facts about Indiana that not many people are aware of.

14. Indiana Gets Letters for Christmas Every Year

There is a town called Santa Claus, IN. Amazingly, the town gets letters from kids from all over the country and does its best to answer them with gifts. The town also has certain holiday events that they have every year.

13. The First Baseball Game Happened in Indiana

The Fort Wayne Kekiongas played the Cleveland Forest Citys on May 4, 1871, in what was officially the first professional baseball game. Since then, baseball has exploded to levels that are beyond belief. The irony is that Indiana does not have a team representing them in Major League Baseball.

12. The Inventor of the Gasoline Pump Was From Indiana

Next time you fill up your gas tank, you will realize that the first gas tank came from Indiana. Remarkably, Syvanus F. Bower created the gas tank, and he was born in the Hoosier state. It is another of the mind-blowing facts about Indiana that not many know about.

11. Home of the First Goldfish Farm

If you ever visit a goldfish farm, you will smile knowing that the first one originated back in 1889 in Indiana. Ultimately, it was a thrill for people back then to see all the different varieties of goldfish in the farm.

10. Home of One of the First Theme Parks

Speaking of thrills, the town of Santa Claus claims to have created the first theme park in 1946. Yes, some will say Coney Island was the first unofficial theme park. But Santa Claus Land brought the first “true” theme park before Walt Disney came along and created Disneyland.

9. Producer of 20 Percent of the Popcorn in the Country

The next time you eat a bag of popcorn, you will know that Indiana produces most of the popcorn in this country. Yes, there is even a town called Popcorn. Some famous brands like the Weaver Popcorn Company and Orville Redenbacher started in Indiana and are still going strong today.

8. People Lived in Indiana During the Ice Age

According to the Indiana Historical Society, people have lived in Indiana since the Ice Age. There were allegedly people inhabiting the lands 30,000 years ago. It is a remarkable story and one of the more memorable of the mind-blowing facts about Indiana that not many know.

7. The French Were The First Europeans to Visit Indiana

Before the British owned the land and before it became American territory, the French were the first Europeans to make their way into the state. Specifically, Robert La Salle was the first European explorer to set foot on the state in 1679.

6. The British Won Indiana in the 7-Years War

According to the Office of the Historian, the British won the rights to Indiana in a victory over the French in the 7-year war. Once 1763 rolled around, the Brits now owned the rights to the state. President John Adams officially created the Indiana Territory in 1800 through legislation, which was the official term before it became a state in 1816.

5. Indiana Was Integral During the Civil War

The state was very split during the Civil War. Indiana supported the union, but the southern half had great support for the South. However, the state provided the union with food, manpower, and supplies through the use of the American railroad system. Additionally, the state faced opposition from the Confederacy, which it ultimately overcame.

4. The First Train Robbery Happened in Indiana

The Reno brothers stepped onto a train in Seymour, IN, on October 6, 1866, and committed the first train robbery, according to the Library of Congress. Significantly, no one had dared attempt this before that point. The brothers cemented themselves into the history books and purloined over half a million dollars.

3. The Indy 500 Has Been Around Since 1911

Indiana decided in 1911 to host a racing event on Decoration Day. Since that day, the Indy 500 has been held proudly in the state of Indiana. It is one of the most popular racing events in the country and one that continues today.

2. The Indiana State Flag Was Created in 1917

According to Indiana Memory, Mrs. John H. Carey was attending a convention and realized that Indiana was one of the only states that did not have a state flag. She took action and formed a committee to create an official state flag. Therefore, it has been the state flag for the last 106 years.

1. Indiana Officially Became a State on December 11, 1816

As noted earlier, Indiana officially became a state on December 11, 1816. Since that day, the state has seen many changes and many new structures. Indiana has become one of the leaders in the Midwest and provides many supplies for the entire country. Subsequently, no one could have predicted back then how great Indiana would be today and how much it would grow. It all started on one day in December many decades ago.

Summary of 20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Indiana You Won’t Believe

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