Vincennes IN

Sep 2014.  For such a small town, population about 18,000, this place had more historical buildings and sites than most places much larger.  There was so much history to this place, it was fascinating.  Vincennes was founded in 1832 by French fur traders and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in Indiana, and one of the oldest west of the Appalachians.

There is a city park with water and dump available.  I even believe they had electric.  There was supposed to be a camp host come around to collect fees from us, but we were there almost a week and never saw a soul.  The campground is on the banks of the Lower Wabash River.

There were 3 forts built in the area to protect the frontier region between 1787 and 1816.  

At the site of Fort Knox II, William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, both who later became presidents, and the Indian Chief Tecumseh were at this fort.

Sugar Loaf Mound reminds us we were not the first peoples here.  The late Woodland Indians, 600-1000 A.D.,  were here long before.

Vincennes University is the oldest college in Indiana and the Northwest Territories.  It was founded as Jefferson College in 1801.

The Old French House was built in 1808 and occupied by the fur trader Michael Broullet.

Dedicated in 2009, this statue honors Chief Tecumseh, leader of the Shawnee.

This has to be the largest watermelon I've ever seen.

This was the primary reason we stopped at Vincennes, not knowing how much more there was to see in the area.

Lewis and Clark even have a claim to this place..

Grouseland, home of William Henry Harrison during his term as Indiana Territorial Governor, 1803-1812.  Later, William Henry Harrison became the 9th president of the U.S.

Just an old mill, no longer in use.

State Bank of Indiana, first bank of Indiana opened in 1814.

The Lincoln Memorial Bridge opened in 1933.

The bridge is supposed to mark the spot where Lincoln, along with his father, crossed the river headed to Illinois in 1830.

The Old Cathedral Library is the oldest in Indiana and has manuscripts dating back to the 1300s.

The 'current' Old Cathedral, Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, was built in 1826 and sits on the site of three previous churches.

George Rogers Clark National Historic Park commemorates the conquest of the Northwest Territory.  It was at this site where Colonel George Rogers Clark captured the British Fort Sackville.

Red Bank Trace runs along the Ohio to Nashville and connects to the Natchez Trace.

Remember Clem Kadiddlehopper?

Red Skelton was born in Vincennes in this house.  Much of his stuff was donated to the Vincennes University where they now have a Red Skelton Museum.