Shoals

Small Town Breakdown

Small Town Breakdown: Shoals, Indiana

Tucked into the rolling hills of Martin County in southern Indiana is Shoals, an Indiana small town that is the smallest we’ve explored yet during our 52-town excursion in 2025.

Fast Facts

📍LOCATION: Southern Indiana

• Shoals is located in south central Martin County

• U.S. Routes 50 and 150 pass through town

• 1 hour and 45 minutes southwest of Indianapolis

• 1 hour south of Bloomington

• 70 miles northwest of Louisville

👥 POPULATION & RANKING

• 680 residents (as of 2023)

• Ranks as Indiana’s 426th largest town

• Second-largest of three towns/cities in Martin County behind Loogootee and ahead of Crane

📏 LAND AREA

• 1.88 square miles

📅 FOUNDED

• Martin County was partitioned off of Daviess and Dubois counties in January 1820

• It was named after Major John T. Martin of Kentucky

• Natural gas and sand in the county led to a boom in population and glass manufacturing plants in the early 1900s, but the gas was depleted by 1915

• Shoals was settled in 1844 by James Horsey and was called Memphis until 1872, when it became incorporated under its current name

• Serves as the county seat of Martin County

🏥 MAIN INDUSTRIES: Manufacturing, Mining

• The National Gypsum mine is 2 miles east of Shoals and is the deepest in the U.S. at 515 feet; it supplies gypsum for the production of drywall and joint compound

• USG Corporation, formerly known as United States Gypsum Company, and Gold Bond Building Products, operate as the manufacturers of the drywall and building related products

Martin County and Shoals History

After the Indiana Territory was granted statehood in 1816, Martin County was partitioned off of Daviess and Dubois counties in 1820. Natural gas and tons of sand helped the county boom in population and glass manufacturing in the early 1900s. Additionally, Sherfick Music Company which made juke boxes, was one of the largest of its kind in the Midwest. Shoals was founded originally as Memphis in 1844 and wasn’t incorporated with its current name until 1872.

Shoals Rocks, No Bluffing

Jug Rock. House Rock. Bluffs of Beaver Bend. Shoals has so much to discover. Jug Rock (pictured below) is the only free-standing table rock formation east of the Mississippi River. You can take a short hike to check it out. If you support Shoals High School, you’ll know them as the Jug Rox, too. How awesome is that? House Rock is another incredible formation located on West River Road. It was the greatest of many rock houses/shelters along the White River used by indigenous peoples and first settlers as meeting places. This formation came about when two sandstone blocks slips on weak underlying foundation and lodge upon each other. Lastly, the Bluffs of Beaver Bend Nature Preserve is 210 acres and includes a steep-sided bluff in a bend of the White River. The preserve is full of ferns, cliffs and rock houses, and keep your eyes on the sky for Bald Eagles. 🪨🦅

Abandoned Town, Anyone?

History buffs need to take a trip to the abandoned town of Hindostan Falls. It was first settled in 1818 and was the county seat of Martin County for a short period with a population of approximately 1,200. Tragically, a "Great Sickness" hit the area in 1828 and led to widespread death, relocation by survivors and an abandoned city as its been known for nearly 200 years. Hindostan Falls has been transformed into a fishing and wildlife area, and Hindostan Falls is the widest waterfall in Indiana. Staying on the history note — swing through the Martin County Historical Society, which once served as the courthouse.

Catfish Festival

Spending America’s birthday in Shoals? You’re in for a treat. The annual Shoals Catfish Festival has been running since 1985 and is best known for The Big Catfish Contest. In a tradition unlike any other, the Catfish Festival Queen also kisses the biggest catfish. The festival includes a parade, fireworks, softball, corn hole, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, 5K, auction, carnival rides, live music and more. 🎆

Drive In and Diner

Bo-Mac's Drive In is notorious for its deep-fried appetizers, salivating sandwich platters including the Rox Burger and Fire House Burger, wings and chicken buckets. They also serve up flurries, floats, shakes, malts, and a hot fudge brownie bowl. Say less.

Velma's Diner serves locals and travelers breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers up weekday specials. The go-to item on the menu for guests? Catfish. Thank us later. And bring cash — it’s a cash-only diner! 💵

Shoals Shareables

• How about this for the Shoals High School mascot? The Jug Rox. We love it.

• Faytastic Pizza serves up some fantastic homemade pizza (go with "The Works" or the Chicken Bacon Ranch Deluxe), breadsticks and Stromboli.

• Hindostan Days are held annually to honor Martin County’s original county seat.

Southern Indiana has so much to discover, including Shoals which should be on your summer bucket list. It Rox. ✅

Check out Nate’s breakdown of Shoals ⬇️