Lapel

Small Town Breakdown

Small Town Breakdown: Lapel, Indiana

Tucked inside the western border of Madison County is Lapel, an Indiana town on the outskirts of Indianapolis that is built on good eats and good times.

Fast Facts

📍LOCATION: Central Indiana

• Old Indiana 132 runs diagonally northwest to southeast through town and continues on to Pendleton

• State Road 32 sits north of town, leading west to Noblesville and east to Edgewood and Anderson

• Sits on the western edge of Madison County

• 35 miles northeast of Indianapolis

• 1 hour and 40 minutes southwest of Fort Wayne

👥 POPULATION & RANKING

• 2,390 residents (as of 2023)

• Ranks as Indiana’s 198th largest city

• Sixth-largest of 14 cities/towns in Madison County behind Anderson, Elwood, Pendleton, Alexandria and Ingalls

📏 LAND AREA

• 1.378 square miles

📅 FOUNDED

• Madison County became authorized in 1823 and was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States from 1809-17

• Lapel was founded in 1876 by David Conrad and Samuel Busby

• Busby named it Lapel because the strip of land between the railroad and turnpike was shaped like a coat lapel

🏥 MAIN INDUSTRIES: Manufacturing and Healthcare

• Owens-Illinois is a leading glass manufacturer on the west edge of town. The Lapel plant is one of 69 plants spread across 19 countries. In 2022, Owens-Illinois manufactured 41 billion glass containers, many used by leading food and beverage companies.

• If you’re looking to make a short or long-distance move, let Bulldogs Moving Co. taking the hassle off your hands. Co-owned by Chris Cartwright and Seth Hartzell, Bulldogs Moving Co. has a perfect 5.0 star rating among 220 Google reviews — your possessions are their priority.

MADISON COUNTY AND LAPEL HISTORY

Madison County was authorized in 1823, five decades before Lapel was founded in 1876 by David Conrad and Samuel Busby. With the coming of the railroad in the 1870s near Fishersburg, the Anderson, Lebanon & St. Louis Railroad needed a station at the Pendleton-Fishersburg Pike crossing, which is where Conrad and Busby laid out the town. 🚂

PAX VERUM BREWING CO.

Located on Main Street, Pax Verum Brewing Co. specializes in lagers, hazy and West Coast hoppy beers. When the weather warms, hang out in the beer garden where you can enjoy live music on Fridays and food trucks on Saturdays. 🍻

LET’S EAT

Smoky’s Concession Stand is a go-to spot for locals that has a 4.6 star rating with over 300 Google reviews. The BBQ platter, BBQ pulled pork and ribs are fire. Smoky’s is one of four restaurants owned by the FoxGardin Restaurant Group, with the other locations in Fortville and Carmel. 🦊

If you like pizza, Lapel’s got you covered. Next door to Pax Verum Brewing Co. on Main Street is King Dough. Yes, the same King Dough you can find in Indianapolis and Carmel. On the northwest edge of town, you can grab a slice or pie from the popular Pizza King. 🍕

HARDWOOD HEROES

Lapel High School has won two team state championships in school history, both in boys basketball. The Bulldogs won the 1A championship in 2005 and claimed the 2A title in 2016. A few generations ago, Lapel reached the Final Four in boys basketball in 1940 when it was a single-class sport. Pretty impressive run for a small town! 🏀🏆

LOVIN’ ON LAPEL

• The Village Fair is a summer tradition that’s been going for over 30 years. It includes a parade, food, dancing and dozens of vendors set up on Main Street. Mark your calendar for July 11-12 this summer!

• Check out the splash pad, playground and paved trail at Woodward Park or head to Brookside Park where there are four ball diamonds, a playground and walking trail.

• Macy Beeson won individual IHSAA golf championships in 2020 and 2021. ⛳️

• Woody’s is a Main Street bar and grill known for its fun atmosphere, drinks, mozzarella sticks and tenderloins.

• Make your way to Ultimate Eats for donuts, muffins and coffee or pay a visit to Gathering Grounds Coffee Shop for your caffeine fix. ☕️🍩

Whether you’re in Lapel to enjoy one of its many restaurants or to shop from dozens of local vendors at the annual Village Fair, this Indiana small town goes next level in making you feel right at home.

Check out Nate’s breakdown of Lapel ⬇️