Wabash
Around Wabash
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Indiana · 30k people
Wabash
“City of Lights”
A bright spot in the heartland.
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Welcome to Wabash, where the river runs through town and the covered bridges mark the countryside. Grab a tenderloin, walk the square, and settle in—this is a place where everyone knows your name before you've even introduced yourself.
Clubs for Wabash
No clubs for Wabash yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Wabash. 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 Wabash. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Wabash County Courthouse Historic courthouse in the center of Wabash.
- Honeywell Center Performing arts center hosting concerts and events.
- Paradise Spring Historical Park Site of the first Wabash County settlement.
- Wabash River Runs through town with riverfront parks.
- Salamonie Reservoir Popular for fishing and boating.
- Wabash County Historical Museum Local history exhibits.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Wabash River
- Outdoors Canoeing on the Mississinewa River
- With kids Visit the Wabash County Historical Museum
- With kids Attend the Wabash County Fair
- Evenings Live music at the Honeywell Center
- Evenings Movies at the Eagles Theatre
- Locals love Historic downtown squares
- Locals love Covered bridges
Through the year
- Wabash County Fair July Annual county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Wabash Riverfest June Riverfront celebration with music, food, and family activities.
- First Light Celebration September Commemorates Wabash as the first electrically lighted city.
- Honeywell Center Summer Concert Series Summer Outdoor concerts at the Honeywell Center.
- Wabash Art Walk Summer Downtown art exhibits and open studios.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons; winters are cold and snowy, summers hot and humid. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable for being outside.
Talk like a local
- “The square”
- Downtown Wabash
- “The Honeywell”
- Honeywell Center
- “The river”
- Wabash River
- “The fair”
- Wabash County Fair
Getaways
- Peru Circus history and the Wabash River.
- Huntington Historic downtown and the Huntington University campus.
- Marion Museums and the Mississinewa River.
- Kokomo Automotive heritage and the Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center.
Local flavour
Rooting for Indiana Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich Indiana staple, often breaded and fried
- Sugar cream pie Hoosier classic, also known as 'desperation pie'
- Breaded tenderloin Local diner favourite, served on a bun
Where people go
- Historic downtown squares Courthouse-centred, with small shops and a classic feel
- Covered bridges Indiana has many, and Wabash County is no exception
- Riverfront parks Along the Wabash River, for quiet walks and fishing
- Small-town diners Family-run, serving home-style meals and pie
Heritage and traditions
Wabash is proud of its place in history as the first electrically lighted city in the U.S., and of its small-town charm with a strong sense of community and heritage.
This time of year in Wabash
- Persimmon pudding in fall Fall A seasonal dessert made from wild persimmons.
- Covered Bridge Tour Fall Fall; self-guided tour of historic covered bridges.
Say it like a local: “Out in the country” — A term for a small town or rural area.
Festivals
- Wabash County Fair July July; agricultural exhibits, rides, and local food.
- Honeywell Center Summer Concert Series Summer Summer; outdoor concerts at the Honeywell Center.
- Wabash Art Walk Seasonal Seasonal; local artists display works in downtown shops.
- Covered Bridge Tour Fall Fall; self-guided tour of historic covered bridges.
- First Light Celebration December 31 New Year's Eve; commemorates Wabash as first electrically lighted city.
- Wabash Riverfest Summer Summer; live music and river activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Paradise Spring Historical Park Site of a former Native American village and treaty ground.
- Wabash County Courthouse Historic courthouse with a distinctive clock tower.
- Eagles Theatre A restored 1906 theater hosting performances and films.
- Wabash Carnegie Public Library A Carnegie library, a symbol of early 20th-century philanthropy.
- Wabash County Historical Museum Museum preserving local history and artifacts.
- Covered bridges Several 19th-century covered bridges in the county.
Food traditions
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet on a bun, a Hoosier classic.
- Sugar cream pie A simple pie of cream, sugar, and flour, a regional dessert.
- Breaded tenderloin Often served at diners and fairs, sometimes with pickles.
- Persimmon pudding Made from wild persimmons, a fall treat in Indiana.
Music and arts
- Local theater at Eagles Theatre Historic venue hosts community productions and films.
- Honeywell Center arts Visual arts and performances at the center.
- Covered bridge photography Scenic bridges are a favorite subject for local photographers.
A little history
- 1880 First electrically lighted city in the U.S.
- 1834 Founded as a trading post on the Wabash River.
- Pre-1800s Home to the Miami and Potawatomi peoples before settlement.
- 1940s The Honeywell Center, a cultural hub, opened.
Rivalries
- Indiana Hoosiers vs Purdue Boilermakers College basketball bragging rights.
- Wabash vs Northfield Local high school football rivalry.
- Wabash vs Huntington Friendly competition between neighboring towns.
- Game day High school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing on the Wabash River
- Outdoors Canoeing on the Mississinewa River
- With kids Bike the Wabash Riverfront Trail
- With kids Visit the Wabash County Historical Museum
Locals speak with a mild Midwestern accent, often dropping 'g's in words like 'going' and using 'pop' for soda. The tone is friendly and unhurried.
Only here
- Wabash was the first city in the world to be entirely lit by electricity.
- The Wabash County Courthouse has a clock tower that chimes on the hour.
- Covered bridges are a beloved local landmark, with several still in use.
- The Wabash River is a central feature, giving the city its name.
New here? A few tips
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner—it's a Hoosier staple.
- Visit the Honeywell Center for concerts and art shows.
- Take a drive on the Covered Bridge Tour in the fall.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Say 'Wabash' with a short 'a'—like 'Wah-bash'.
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Nearby
Every areaPeruIndianaWhere the big top meets the heartlandHuntingtonIndianaWhere the Wabash runs through the heartland.MarionIndianaWhere roses meet the heartlandKokomoIndianaWhere the spirit of invention meets the heartland.RochesterIndianaWhere river towns and lake breezes meet.LogansportIndianaWhere the rivers meet and the bridges tell storiesWarsawIndianaWhere lake life and healing hands come together.Fort WayneIndianaThree rivers, one home
Wabash, 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.