Discover the Hoosier State: 16 Exciting Fun Facts About Indiana You Probably Didn't Know

1. Hoosier Pride

They say art imitates life – or in Indiana's case, “life” actively embraces its historical insult: "Hoosier" was once a derogatory term for uneducated and uncouth folks in the American South, but Indiana's savvy residents managed to snatch the label from the jaws of ignominy and make it their own! Resting their case: Over 4,500 proud businesses currently boast "Hoosier" in their names, while countless others wear it as a badge of honor in contemporary Indiana culture.
Source => blog.history.in.gov

2. Orville Redenbacher Statue

Ever had the desire to "pop" a squat next to the king of all corn kings? It's kernels of fun in Valparaiso, Indiana: The city is home to a life-size bronze statue of the famous Orville Redenbacher, nestled on its own bench downtown, buttering up the wholesome atmosphere since 2012.
Source => roadsideamerica.com

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=> Fun Facts about Indianapolis

3. Santa Claus Post Office

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus really does read your letters in Indiana! Nestled in the heart of this charming state since the 1920s, the Santa Claus Post Office has been answering children's missives from around the globe, ensuring everyone's wishlist gets a response. And it won't cost you a pretty penny, nay! Donations keep this Yuletide tradition merry and bright, so pen those jolly letters and let the magic unfold.
Source => santaclausind.org

4. Indiana Jones Language Program

In an Indiana Jones-esque linguistic adventure without the daring stunts or scary snakes: Indiana State University offers a super flexible Language Studies Program that opens a treasure trove of career opportunities, higher salary potential, and the chance to become an expert in languages like Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish. The curriculum requires all students to study abroad, and the university sponsors a variety of culturally immersive activities, making their graduates more worldly and less likely to scream, "Why did it have to be snakes?"
Source => indstate.edu

5. Crop Circle Mysteries

Aliens, intoxicated farmers, or perhaps artistic bovines: the truth behind some mysterious crop circles in Indiana remains a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. Seriously though: experts can't quite pinpoint the origin of certain crop formations, as they've found unusual characteristics like higher magnetic readings in the soil and correlations between the circle's position and the plants' color or nutritional value – still leaving the door open for E.T. enthusiasts.
Source => abcnews.go.com

6. Automotive Museum Time Machine

Rev your engines and buckle up, history buffs – Indiana's got its very own time machine, and it's not your grandpa's beat-up DeLorean: The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum showcases Indiana's rich automotive past, complete with design marvels, mechanical wonders, and tales of technological triumphs. As a bonus pit stop, they're also raising funds to repair and upgrade the museum, ensuring this fantastic slice of Hoosier history remains well-oiled for generations to come.
Source => automobilemuseum.org

7. Tenderloin Throwdown

In Indiana, the tenderloin is more than just a sandwich, it's a way of life - embraced wholeheartedly at their annual Tenderloin Throwdown, a foodie's gladiator arena for the classic breaded treat: Held in downtown Greensburg, the event invites competitors from all around Indiana to prepare and sell their delicious breaded tenderloins, with visitors voting on their favorites in categories such as best breaded tenderloin, best grilled tenderloin, most creative tenderloin, and people's choice, giving everyone a chance to savor the state's breaded champions.
Source => indystar.com

8. High-Tech Milking Carousel

Cow-abunga, dudes: Hold onto your udders, for Indiana's Fair Oaks Farms is where bovine meets high-tech with 36,000 cows in a one-of-a-kind milking carousel that churns out a mind-moo-gling 280,000 gallons of milk daily! This utterly fascinating dairy destination offers visitors the chance to embark on a biosecure bus, decked out like a Holstein cow, to witness this whirling spectacle of dairy goodness through biosecure viewing windows.
Source => roadsideamerica.com

9. Courthouse Makeover

Feeling a bit "cabin fevered" from 1818? You might want to upgrade to the Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington, Indiana, which went through quite the architectural glow up: It started as a humble log cabin in 1818 and transformed into a stunning, Beaux Arts-style limestone masterpiece by 1908, complete with fishy weather vanes, carved figures, and beautiful stained glass – a true testament to the magic of Hoosier home makeovers!
Source => flickr.com

10. Urban Anthropology Adventure

Indiana Jones may have been an archaeologist, but the students at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana are exploring the urban jungle with the tenacity of Dr. Jones himself: In the immersive learning course, ANTH 495 – Ethnographic Methods, students delve into the world of urban anthropology by studying Muncie's four major parks: Tuhey Park, Westside Park, McCulloch Park, and Heekin Park. By researching these public spaces, they have improved the Parks and Recreation Department, leading to the creation of a Parks Program Director and a well-researched Five Year Plan for Muncie's green spaces.
Source => blogs.bsu.edu

11. Fulda Gap Paintball Event

Grab your gear and prepare for battle, Picasso-style: Indiana hosts the renowned Fulda Gap paintball event every November at Command Decisions Wargames Center in Taylorsville, NC, where Florida Ballers unite on the same team, offering action-packed adventure and excitement for those who enjoy life one colorful splatter at a time.
Source => drjevents.com

12. Bedford Limestone Legacy

If a rock and a hard place had a baby, it would be Indiana's Bedford limestone: This globally recognized and practically indestructible stone, quarried since 1855 in the Oolitic District, remains a top-choice for builders and architects, embellishing public and government buildings, bridges, churches, and private residences all around the world.
Source => quarriesandbeyond.org

13. Home of Garfield and Wesleyan University

In a state where cows get to personally meet the creator of the infamous lasagna-loving feline and the air is filled with the whispers of pious students, one town reigns supreme: Indiana is not only the proud stomping ground of the largest evangelical Christian university in the Midwest, Indiana Wesleyan University, but it's also where Jim Davis of Garfield fame sprouted from humble cow farm beginnings to sketch his way into our hearts.
Source => imdb.com

14. Space Pioneer Gus Grissom

Houston, we have an Hoosier: Indiana's very own space cowboy Gus Grissom soared into the history books as America's second man in space back in 1961, thanks to his daring feats in the Mercury and Gemini programs, a decorated Air Force career that included 100 missions in the Korean War, and enough medals to make his hometown of Mitchell proud. But this stellar explorer's light was tragically snuffed out in the ill-fated Apollo I mission, when a flash fire claimed the lives of Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee on the launch pad in 1967.
Source => in.gov

15. Symphonic Laughter

Hold onto your seats, we're about to deliver a symphony of laughter: The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra struck a major chord in 1951-52 as the first major symphony to star in eight riveting, half-hour concerts on a commercially sponsored television series, WFBM-TV, which crescendoed their classical series subscriptions.
Source => indianapolissymphony.org

16. Time Zone Confusion

In a time and age where most people can't even decide what to eat for dinner, Indiana has been embroiled in its very own chronometrical conundrum: Since 2006, the Hoosier State has been grappling with the decision to remain on Eastern Time or switch to Central Time, leading to some counties changing time zones multiple times before settling on their current temporal residence. The great Indiana time zone debate lives on, with arguments ranging from energy conservation to the impact on transportation and education.
Source => en.wikipedia.org