Crawfordsville
Around Crawfordsville
Photo: Michaeldavisson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Indiana · 38k people
Crawfordsville
“Covered Bridge Capital of the World”, “Athens of Indiana”
Where covered bridges meet the cornfields.
ScarletCovered Bridge BrownField Green
Welcome to Crawfordsville, where the Wabash flows and the covered bridges stand tall. Whether you're here for the college, the fair, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly wave and a good tenderloin. Make yourself at home.
Clubs for Crawfordsville
No clubs for Crawfordsville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Crawfordsville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Crawfordsville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Wabash College Historic all-men's liberal arts college with distinctive architecture
- General Lew Wallace Study & Museum Home of the Ben-Hur author, now a museum
- Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County Local history and art exhibits
- Lane Place Antebellum mansion and historic house museum
- Rotary Jail Museum Unique rotating jail from the 1880s
- Shades State Park Scenic canyons, trails, and Sugar Creek access
- Outdoors Canoe or kayak on Sugar Creek
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Shades State Park
- With kids Visit the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County
- With kids Attend the Montgomery County Fair
- Evenings Live music at downtown bars
- Evenings Trivia nights at the pub
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Covered bridges
Through the year
- Montgomery County 4-H Fair July Annual county fair with livestock, rides, and local food
- Crawfordsville Farmers Market May–October Seasonal market with local produce, baked goods, and crafts
- Ben-Hur Festival September Community festival celebrating the author Lew Wallace with a parade and events
- Summer Concert Series on the Square June–August Free outdoor concerts in the downtown square
- Wabash College Football Home Games Fall Small-college football with a lively tailgating scene
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers hot and humid. Best to be outside in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for outdoor activities with mild temperatures.
Talk like a local
- “the crick”
- A term for a small stream or creek, used for Sugar Creek
Getaways
- Lafayette & West Lafayette Purdue campus, dining, and the Wabash River
- Greencastle DePauw University and the Monon Bell rivalry
- Indianapolis Big-city museums, sports, and nightlife
- Terre Haute Historic sites and the Wabash Valley
Local flavour
Rooting for Indianapolis Colts (NFL), Indiana Pacers (NBA), Indianapolis Indians (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A Hoosier classic, often breaded and fried, served on a bun.
- Sugar cream pie A traditional Indiana dessert made with cream, sugar, and nutmeg.
- Breaded pork tenderloin Often confused with the sandwich, but a distinct local staple.
Where people go
- Covered bridges Historic wooden bridges scattered across Montgomery County, celebrated annually.
- County fairgrounds Host to the county fair and community gatherings, a hub of local life.
- Small-town diners Classic American diners serving comfort food and coffee, where locals meet.
- Wabash College campus A liberal arts college with historic architecture and a strong sense of tradition.
Heritage and traditions
Crawfordsville is proud of its literary heritage as the home of Ben-Hur author Lew Wallace, its historic covered bridges, and the enduring traditions of Wabash College, one of the last all-male liberal arts colleges in the country.
This time of year in Crawfordsville
- Fall: Persimmon pudding season Fall Wild persimmons ripen, and locals bake puddings for church suppers.
- Fall: Wabash College football Fall Little Giants games draw crowds on crisp autumn Saturdays.
- Halloween Trick-or-Treat on the Square October Downtown merchants hand out candy to costumed children.
Say it like a local: “crick” — A small stream or creek
Festivals
- Crawfordsville Christmas Parade December A small-town holiday tradition on the square with floats and lights.
- Easter Egg Hunt at Lane Place Spring Kids scramble for eggs on the historic lawn of the Lane mansion.
- Halloween Trick-or-Treat on the Square October Downtown merchants hand out candy to costumed children.
Landmarks with a story
- Oak Hill Cemetery Final resting place of Lew Wallace and other local notables, with beautiful Victorian monuments.
- Rotary Jail Museum A unique rotary jail built in 1882, one of the last of its kind in the nation.
- Wabash College Chapel The college's iconic chapel, a centerpiece of campus life since the 19th century.
- Montgomery County Courthouse Historic courthouse on the square, built in the 1870s with a distinctive clock tower.
- Lane Place Antebellum mansion and home of Henry Lane, with period furnishings and gardens.
- General Lew Wallace Study The study where Ben-Hur was written, now a museum with personal artifacts.
Food traditions
- Persimmon pudding A Hoosier dessert made from wild persimmons, often served at church dinners and fall gatherings.
- Lenten fish fries Parish and community groups host weekly fish fries on Fridays during Lent.
- Church potluck fried chicken Fried chicken and casseroles are staples at summer potlucks and picnics.
- Indiana corn on the cob Sweet corn from local farms, boiled and buttered, is a summer favorite.
- Beef Manhattan A diner classic with roast beef, mashed potatoes, and gravy on bread, found on many local menus.
Music and arts
- Wabash College Glee Club A renowned all-male choral group with a long tradition of performances.
- Crawfordsville Community Theatre Local productions of plays and musicals at the historic theater.
- Hoosier folk music Fiddle and bluegrass traditions kept alive at jam sessions and festivals.
- Ben-Hur literary heritage The novel's legacy inspires local literary events and readings.
A little history
- 1823 Crawfordsville founded and named after William H. Crawford
- 1832 Wabash College established as an all-male liberal arts college
- 1880 Lew Wallace completes Ben-Hur at his study
- 1882 Rotary jail built, now a museum
- 1902 Carnegie Library opens, now the Carnegie Museum
Rivalries
- Wabash College vs. DePauw University The Monon Bell football rivalry
- Crawfordsville vs. Ladoga Friendly high school sports rivalry
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Monon Bell game
- Outdoors Canoeing or kayaking on Sugar Creek
- Outdoors Hiking the trails at Shades State Park
- With kids Playing in Sugar Creek
- With kids Picking apples at a local orchard
Locals speak a Midland Hoosier accent, with a drawl on vowels and a tendency to drop 'g' in '-ing' words. They say 'pop' for soda, 'crick' for creek, and 'warsh' for wash. The pace is relaxed, and greetings like 'How are you?' often get a cheerful 'fair to middlin'.'
Only here
- The rotary jail, one of only a few in the nation, is a must-see.
- Ben-Hur was written in Crawfordsville, and the town celebrates its literary legacy.
- Wabash College is one of the last all-male liberal arts colleges in the U.S.
- The nickname 'Athens of Indiana' reflects the town's historic emphasis on education and culture.
New here? A few tips
- Get ready for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters; pack accordingly.
- Try a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner—it's a Hoosier staple.
- Take a self-guided tour of the covered bridges; maps are available at the visitors center.
- Visit the General Lew Wallace Study to learn about Ben-Hur and local history.
- Attend a Wabash College event, like a football game or a chapel talk, to feel the community spirit.
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Part of Indianapolis area
Nearby
Every areaFrankfortIndianaWhere the cornfields meet the skyLafayetteIndianaWhere the Wabash meets the BoilermakersRockvilleIndianaWhere the bridges are covered and the welcome is open.GreencastleIndianaA college town with country soulDanvilleIllinoisWhere the corn meets the skyIndianapolisIndianaWhere the checkered flag meets the hardwood.Terre HauteIndianaWhere the Wabash flows and the Sycamores grow.MonticelloIndianaHome of Indiana Beach and quiet waters
Crawfordsville, IN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.