The Indiana state is commonly referred to as the Hoosier state. It’s our nickname. What’s interesting is that no one is really clear on where the nickname even came from. If you do a search online you are going to find tons of different theories on where the name originated. Where do you think it came from?
Anyway, the cities of Indiana also tend to be given some pretty interesting nicknames. Some of them have reasons for their nicknames and some of them don’t. Here are a few I decided to spotlight for you.
- Columbus: Athens of the Prairie
WikiMedia Commons
WikiMedia Commons Columbus was given the nickname “Athens of Prairie because it’s home to a lot of public sculpture and contemporary architecture.
- Fort Wayne: The City of Churches
WikiMedia Commons Fort Wayne has a few nicknames including: The City of Churches, Magnet Wire Capital of the World, Summit City, and The City That Saved Itself. “The City of Churches” is the most prominent and commonly used nickname as Fort Wayne is considered to be one of the more religious cities in the state. There are more than 360 churches in this city and nearly 60% of the residents in the city practice some form of religion.
- Indianapolis: Crossroads of America
WikiMedia Commons Indianapolis has been given tons of nicknames over the years including Crossroads of America, Circle City, Indy, India-no-place, Naptown, and Railroad city. For the most part, the nicknames given to this city are pretty self-explanatory. I believe it’s just because some of us are a little on the lazy side and “Indy” is faster and easier to say than “Indianapolis.”.
- La Porte: The Maple City
WikiMedia Commons
WikiMedia Commons In the 1850s tons of maple trees were planted near the state lines of Michigan and Indiana. Many people believe the plentiful maple trees are the reason La Porte was nicknamed “Maple City.”
- Lawrenceburg: Whiskey City, U.S.A.
Both images from the city’s website. Lawrenceburg has a long and rich history when it comes to whiskey and alcoholic beverages. This’s why it was coined Whiskey City a very long time ago.
- Greensburg: Tree City
WikiMedia Commons The county courthouse of Decatur County in the city of Greensburg is known for having a tree that grows out of the top of it. This is why the city was given the nickname “Tree City.”
- Van Buren: Popcorn Capitol of the World
WikiMedia Commons Van Buren is a city that was bold enough to give itself the name “Popcorn Capitol of the World”. It gave itself this name because it’s home to the largest local employer of the Weaver Popcorn Company. It’s also where the annual Popcorn Festival is held each year.
- Mishawaka: Peppermint Capital of the World
WikiMedia Commons It was towards the end of the 19th century that the city was nicknamed the Peppermint Capital of the World because it was rich in black loam and produced large quantities of mint.
- Peru: Circus Capital of the World
WikiMedia Commons Peru was nicknamed the “Circus Capital of the World” because it’s the winter headquarters of several different well-known circuses including Hagenbeck-Wallace, Ringling Brothers, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. The city is also home to the International Circus Hall of Fame.
- Rockville: The Covered Bridge Capital of the World
WikiMedia Commons Rockville is home to the most covered bridges in the state. It’s also home to the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival which takes place every year.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this piece. What Hoosier city nickname is your favorite? Do you have any theories on the nicknames? Tell us in the comments below.
WikiMedia Commons
WikiMedia Commons
Columbus was given the nickname “Athens of Prairie because it’s home to a lot of public sculpture and contemporary architecture.
Fort Wayne has a few nicknames including: The City of Churches, Magnet Wire Capital of the World, Summit City, and The City That Saved Itself. “The City of Churches” is the most prominent and commonly used nickname as Fort Wayne is considered to be one of the more religious cities in the state. There are more than 360 churches in this city and nearly 60% of the residents in the city practice some form of religion.
Indianapolis has been given tons of nicknames over the years including Crossroads of America, Circle City, Indy, India-no-place, Naptown, and Railroad city. For the most part, the nicknames given to this city are pretty self-explanatory. I believe it’s just because some of us are a little on the lazy side and “Indy” is faster and easier to say than “Indianapolis.”.
In the 1850s tons of maple trees were planted near the state lines of Michigan and Indiana. Many people believe the plentiful maple trees are the reason La Porte was nicknamed “Maple City.”
Both images from the city’s website.
Lawrenceburg has a long and rich history when it comes to whiskey and alcoholic beverages. This’s why it was coined Whiskey City a very long time ago.
The county courthouse of Decatur County in the city of Greensburg is known for having a tree that grows out of the top of it. This is why the city was given the nickname “Tree City.”
Van Buren is a city that was bold enough to give itself the name “Popcorn Capitol of the World”. It gave itself this name because it’s home to the largest local employer of the Weaver Popcorn Company. It’s also where the annual Popcorn Festival is held each year.
It was towards the end of the 19th century that the city was nicknamed the Peppermint Capital of the World because it was rich in black loam and produced large quantities of mint.
Peru was nicknamed the “Circus Capital of the World” because it’s the winter headquarters of several different well-known circuses including Hagenbeck-Wallace, Ringling Brothers, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. The city is also home to the International Circus Hall of Fame.
Rockville is home to the most covered bridges in the state. It’s also home to the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival which takes place every year.
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