Lawrenceburg

Small Town Breakdown

Small Town Breakdown: Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Nestled in southeast Indiana along the Ohio River is Lawrenceburg, an Indiana town that is home to Perfect North Slopes and so much more.

Fast Facts

📍LOCATION: Southeastern Indiana

• Located off I-275 on US-50

• Sits on the Ohio River near the Indiana-Ohio-Kentucky borders

• Dearborn County seat

• 30 minutes west of Cincinnati

• 100 miles southeast of Indianapolis

• 1 hour and 45 minutes northeast of Louisville

👥 POPULATION & RANKING

• 5,194 residents (as of 2023)

• Ranks as Indiana’s 131st largest city

• Third-largest city in Dearborn County behind Bright and Hidden Valley

📏 LAND AREA

• 5.5 square miles

📅 FOUNDED

• City founded in 1802 by Samuel C. Vance

• Named after his wife’s maiden name

• Dearborn County founded in 1803; Lawrenceburg named county seat by Governor William Henry Harrison

🏥 MAIN INDUSTRIES: Healthcare and Education

• Home to St. Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital

• Lawrenceburg School District consists of five schools

• Earned the nickname Whiskey City, U.S.A. because of its long history of whiskey production; 175-year-old Ross & Squibb Distillery still in operation today

• In the 19th century, Lawrenceburg was a popular trading center for riverboats on the Ohio River

WHAT’S WITH THE (MAIDEN) NAME?

Founded in 1802 by Samuel C. Vance, Lawrenceburg — named after Vance’s wife’s maiden name — became the county seat of Dearborn County in 1803. Two major rail lines helped Lawrenceburg’s early growth, and its close proximity to the Ohio River made it a popular trading hub for riverboats.

STARTING ON THE SLOPES

Hoosiers likely think of Lawrenceburg during the winter season. Why? It’s home to the alpine skiing resort Perfect North Slopes. With two terrain parks, 23 trails and 25 tubing lanes, Perfect North is the perfect place to ski, snowboard or tube whether you’re raw, intermediate or experienced. Don’t believe us? We’ll let its 4.6 star Google rating collected from north of 4,200 reviews do the talking. You’ve got one more month to hit up Perfect North Slopes before winter is gone.

STAR ATHLETES

Where there’s a ski resort, there are bound to be elite skiers. Freestyle skier Nick Goepper has competed in each of the last three Winter Olympics in Russia, South Korea and China, and brought home a bronze (2014) and two silver medals (2018, 2022). Goepper also owns four golds and two silvers from the Winter X Games. After he won bronze at the 2014 Winter Olympics, he was featured on a Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal box, made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman and received a lifetime pass to Perfect North Slopes. Gnarly.

Another Lawrenceburg native has made a name for himself on the wrestling mat — Mason Parris. He finished his prep career at Lawrenceburg High School with a 206-1 record, state titles at 220 pounds as a sophomore, junior and senior, and took third for good measure as a freshman at 182 pounds. He then attended the University of Michigan where he was a four-time NCAA All-American, two-time NCAA finalist and 2023 NCAA champion. More recently, Parris won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games and competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The best has been saved for last in this category, and we’ll give you 2.7 million reasons why. Lauren Hill played basketball and soccer at Lawrenceburg before going on to play hoops at Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati. Sadly, she was diagnosed with DIPG — a rare form of pediatric cancer — just before her freshman year. Lauren didn’t let her terminal brain cancer stop her from playing college ball and did so in front of 10,000 fans while also helping raise millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research. She finished 2nd for AP Female Athlete of the Year, received first-team all-conference honors and the Pat Summitt Courage Award, and was featured on the cover of a Wheaties box. Lauren passed away in 2015, but to date, over $2.7 million has been raised in her memory for cancer research. Lauren’s legacy will live on in Lawrenceburg forever.

A TOUCH OF HISTORY

For history buffs, be sure to check out the historic Angevine Cabin. The Angevine family left New York City in 1818 and built a cabin in what became York Township. After their first cabin was swept away by Tanner Creek, they built what is known today as Angevine Cabin higher on the hill. The cabin was turned over to the Dearborn County Historical Society in 1988 before it was taken apart and rebuilt in Lawrenceburg to preserve its history. Your jaw might hit the wooden floor when you realize the Angevine family raised 12 children in it. Guess that’s why they call cabins cozy.

4Speed on 50 Auto Park is another place worth touring. The complex has a collection of classic automobiles and gives guests a glimpse of automobile industry history. And oh by the way, there’s some grub to enjoy…

DINE, THEN WINE

Since we closed the last section with 4Speed on 50 Auto Park, we’ll open with its 4Speed on 50 Diner that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The most expensive item on the menu is its Revved Up Roast for just $15.99, so you’ll crush calories on a budget. Its new Betty Boop Burger has our mouths watering just thinking about it.

Downtown Lawrenceburg has no shortage of coffee shops and restaurants worth exploring. Get your caffeine fix at Funny Farm Coffee Company or the Friendly Bean Cafe, or grab a scone from the Sweet Beard Bakehouse. Proof 124 Table and Tavern is the go-to spot for lunch or dinner. Its Buffalo Chicken Rangoons and premium burgers including the Tavern Burger, Bourbon Burger and Ultimate Beer Burger will have you leaving full and happy.

Now that you’ve dined, it’s time to wine. North of Lawrenceburg is At The Barn Winery, a popular attraction where adults can indulge in wines and enjoy live music during the summer months. At The Barn Winery opened in 2013 and is housed in a refurbished barn that was originally built in circa 1870. In farm country, there’s something special about preserving old barns. Kudos to the Stutz family for doing just that.

LAWRENCEBURG(ER) BITES

• Governor x3: Two Indiana governors and the first Nevada governor all once called Lawrenceburg home. Albert Porter was Indiana governor from 1881-85 and Winfield Durbin was Indiana governor from 1901-05. Henry Blasdel, born in the pioneer settlement of Cambridge near Lawrenceburg, moved to California in the early 1850s and was Nevada governor from 1864-71.

• The best pizza joint in town? Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria. Good vibes and atmosphere, and they’re serving up some unbelievable ‘za.

• Don’t let the name fool you — Whisky’s is a family-friendly restaurant. Get yourself a rack of ribs and thank me later.

• Hoosier Icehouse serves up comfort food, brews and live music. The Icehouse Tots, Fish Sandwich and Ten Buck Chuck are a few of the favorites.

• Put on your hiking or running shoes and enjoy scenic views on the Dearborn Trail along the Ohio River.

The next time you find yourself in southeast Indiana or carving snow at Perfect North Slopes, enjoy everything Lawrenceburg has to offer — a charming blend of history, nature and entertainment.

Check out Nate’s breakdown of Lawrenceburg ⬇️