Jasper
Around Jasper
Photo: Nyttend · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Indiana · 43k people
Jasper
Locals say Dubois County · “Schnitzelburg”
Local rooms for Dubois County.
German RedHarvest Gold
Welcome to Dubois County! Whether you're here for the festivals, the lake, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly community with deep German roots. Enjoy the local flavor and the great outdoors.
Clubs for Jasper
No clubs for Jasper yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Jasper. 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 Jasper. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- French Lick Springs Hotel Historic resort hotel known for mineral springs and grand architecture.
- West Baden Springs Hotel Famous for its massive domed atrium and historic elegance.
- Patoka Lake Large reservoir offering boating, fishing, and camping.
- Hoosier National Forest Sprawling forest with hiking trails and remote campsites.
- Jasper Riverwalk Scenic paved walkway along the Patoka River in downtown Jasper.
- Dubois County Museum Exhibits on local history, German heritage, and pioneer life.
- Outdoors Boating and fishing at Patoka Lake
- Outdoors Hiking in Hoosier National Forest
- With kids Visit the Dubois County Museum
- With kids Picnic at Huntingburg City Park
- Evenings Bars and taverns in Jasper
- Evenings Live music at local venues
- Locals love German restaurants and bakeries
- Locals love Lakeside recreation spots
Through the year
- Jasper Strassenfest August German street festival with music, food, and a parade.
- Huntingburg Strassenfest August Sister festival to Jasper's, with live bands and beer gardens.
- Dubois County Free Fair July County fair with livestock, carnival rides, and demolition derby.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Getaways
- Evansville Riverfront, zoo, and minor league baseball.
- Owensboro Bluegrass music, barbecue, and riverfront parks.
- Bloomington Indiana University campus, arts, and Lake Monroe.
- Louisville Churchill Downs, museums, and urban nightlife.
Local flavour
Rooting for Indiana Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Evansville Otters
Eat and drink
- Schnitzel Breaded and fried pork cutlet, a German staple.
- Bratwurst Grilled sausage, often served at the Strassenfest.
- Sauerkraut Fermented cabbage, a classic German side.
- Pork Tenderloin Sandwich Indiana icon, pounded thin and fried.
- Persimmon Pudding Southern Indiana dessert made from wild persimmons.
Where people go
- Historic resort hotels and mineral springs French Lick and West Baden Springs, grand 19th‑century spas.
- Benedictine monasteries and archabbey Saint Meinrad Archabbey and the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception.
- Patoka Lake A large reservoir for boating, fishing, and camping.
- Hoosier National Forest Sprawling woodlands with trails and scenic overlooks.
- German‑style festivals and strassenfests
Heritage and traditions
Dubois County is deeply proud of its German Catholic heritage, visible in its monasteries, strassenfests, and family-owned woodworking businesses, and of the historic resort grandeur that put French Lick and West Baden Springs on the map.
This time of year in Jasper
- Persimmon pudding in autumn October In October, locals forage for persimmons and bake the traditional pudding, often served at church fall festivals.
Say it like a local: “How are yous?” — A casual greeting, sometimes with a slight Southern drawl.
Festivals
- Ferdinand Folk Festival September A free outdoor music festival in September featuring folk, bluegrass, and Americana acts.
- French Lick Wine Festival September A September celebration of local wines with tastings, food vendors, and live music.
Landmarks with a story
- Saint Meinrad Archabbey A working Benedictine monastery founded in 1854, known for its Romanesque architecture and serene grounds.
- Monastery Immaculate Conception A Benedictine women's monastery in Ferdinand with a striking church and a rich history of prayer and hospitality.
- West Baden Springs Hotel Once called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' for its massive domed atrium, now a National Historic Landmark.
- French Lick Springs Hotel A grand resort that hosted celebrities and politicians, famous for its mineral springs and Pluto Water.
- Dubois County Courthouse A stately 1910 courthouse in Jasper with a distinctive clock tower, anchoring the town square.
- Huntingburg Depot A restored 1900s train station that now serves as a visitor center and museum.
Food traditions
- Monastery fruitcake and fudge Saint Meinrad Archabbey and the Ferdinand monastery bake fruitcakes and fudge that are local Christmas traditions.
- Family-style fried chicken dinners A legacy of the grand resort era, served at the historic hotels and local restaurants.
- Sugar cream pie A Hoosier classic, this simple pie is a local favorite, especially at church suppers and diners.
- Home-style German noodles Many families still make homemade egg noodles, often served with sauerkraut or in soups.
Music and arts
- German polka and waltz music At strassenfests and other gatherings, local bands play traditional German dance music.
- Church choirs and organ music The Catholic monasteries and parishes maintain strong choral traditions, with Gregorian chant at Saint Meinrad.
- Woodworking and furniture craftsmanship Jasper's furniture industry has made fine woodworking a local art form, showcased in showrooms and the museum.
- Jasper Community Arts The local arts commission hosts exhibits, performances, and classes at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center.
A little history
- 1830s–1850s German immigration
- 1854 Founding of Saint Meinrad Archabbey
- 1880s–1920s Resort era at French Lick and West Baden
- 1890s Pluto Water laxative brand
- 1920s–1950s Jasper becomes 'Wood Capital of the World'
Rivalries
- Jasper vs. Huntingburg high school football Friendly cross-county competition on Friday nights.
- IU vs. Purdue fans Hoosiers vs. Boilermakers in basketball and football.
- Game day High school basketball
- Game day Golf at the French Lick Resort
- Outdoors Hiking the Hoosier National Forest
- Outdoors Boating and fishing at Patoka Lake
- With kids Touring the Saint Meinrad Archabbey
- With kids Exploring the West Baden Springs Hotel atrium
Locals speak with a mild Midland accent with occasional Southern influences. German heritage is reflected in words like 'strassenfest' and 'gemütlichkeit' used during festivals, and many place names and surnames retain a German flavor.
Only here
- The two grand resort hotels – West Baden Springs and French Lick – with their historic domes and mineral springs.
- Two active Benedictine monasteries – one for men (Saint Meinrad) and one for women (Ferdinand) – within the same county.
- Larry Bird's hometown – he was born in West Baden Springs and raised in French Lick.
- The legacy of Pluto Water, a laxative once bottled from the local springs and marketed worldwide.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Jasper' as 'JAS-per' (like the stone) – not 'JAZ-per'.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich – it's a local staple, often bigger than the bun.
- Visit the monasteries – they are open to the public and offer peaceful retreats and gift shops.
- Be ready for humid summers and cold, snowy winters; pack accordingly.
- Learn a few German words – 'strassenfest' and 'gemütlichkeit' will come in handy during summer festivals.
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Jasper, 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.