Orleans

Small Town Breakdown

Orleans is a small town in southern Indiana that’ll grab your attention with a newly painted mural adorned on a trio of grain bins or when its hundreds of dogwoods are in bloom. Throw in its historic 1926 bandstand at Congress Square and bites from Speakeasy Pizza or Dille’s Smoked Meats & Dillescious Treats, and you’ve got more than a few reasons to stop the car when passing through.

Fast Facts

📍LOCATION: Southern Indiana

• Orleans is located in the north-central portion of Orange County near the county line shared with Lawrence County

• Indiana State Road 37 runs north-south through town, leading north to Mitchell and south to Paoli; the north end of Indiana State Road 337 begins in Orleans and runs southeast to Bromer and onto Livonia

• 1 hour and 40 minutes south of Indianapolis

• 55 minutes south of Bloomington

• 1 hour and 10 minutes northwest of Louisville

👥 POPULATION & RANKING

• 2,077 residents (as of 2024)

• Tied with Edgewood as Indiana’s 233rd-largest city

• Second-largest incorporated town/city in Orange County behind Paoli (3,617)

📏 LAND AREA

• 1.71 square miles

📅 FOUNDED

• Orange County was organized in 1816 from parts of Knox, Gibson and Washington counties.

• Orange County was named after Orange County, North Carolina, from which early settlers came.

• Paoli is the county seat.

• Prior to the organization of Orange County, Orleans was platted in March 1815, making it the oldest platted town in the county.

• Orleans was named two months after Andrew Jackson’s victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans.

• As transportation needs grew in Orange County, Orleans became the first town in the county with a rail line when it welcomed the New Albany and Salem Railroad in 1851.

🏥 MAIN INDUSTRIES: Manufacturing, Healthcare

• The parent company Jasper Group oversees Jasper Seating Company (JSI), which employs over 300 people and manufactures wood furniture and accessories like tables, seating and office desks for education, corporate, dining and government customers.

• For healthcare needs in Orleans, visit Orleans Family Healthcare or Orleans Medical Clinic.

The “Dogwood Capital of Indiana”

Orleans was formally declared the “Dogwood Capital of Indiana” in 1970. Why? In the mid-1960s, residents wanted to beautify the town and did so through the “Operation Dogwood” initiative. Hundreds of dogwoods were planted along State Road 37, in and around the town’s Congress Square, and in the yards of many homes. Today, you can’t miss the dogwoods, especially during the spring when they’re in bloom.

The 55th Annual Dogwood Festival was held this past April, too. This annual celebration includes carnival rides, arts, crafts, food vendors, live music, a car show, pageants, a parade, and a best in show pet competition.

Monon South Trail

While not yet entirely finished, the Monon South rails-to-trail path is a newer attraction that opened its first 1 ¼-mile segment last December, navigating through downtown Orleans. As of today, 20 miles of the proposed 57-mile trail are open to the public.

Once completed, the trail will begin in Mitchell and cut through Orleans and six other communities in Orange, Washington and Clark counties. It will eventually extend over 60 miles from Bedford to New Albany’s South Monon Freedom Trail, making it the longest recreational trail in Indiana.

Walkers, joggers, bikers, stand ready.

How Many Bushels Per Mural?

If the dogwoods don’t grab your attention, the giant Monon South Rail mural adorned on three grain bins certainly will. Is there anything more Indiana than using corrugated sheet metal that stands a few stories tall as a canvas?

Southern CuisINe

Orleans hits above its weight class on the culinary scene.

You’ll be hooked at first bite at Dille’s Smoked Meats and Dillescious Treats. The porky fries loaded with pulled pork, cheese, BBQ and green onions are scrumptious, and locals love the breaded tenderloin, sandwiches, subs, ribs, pies, and pizza, too. Guests give ‘em 4.9 stars among over 40 Google reviews.

Next on the menu is Speakeasy Pizza, home to wood-fired pies and huge breadsticks deemed to be some of Indiana’s best. Pro tip: get the beer cheese sauce to go with them. You can thank us later. Speakeasy is located downtown and has racked up a 4.8-star Google rating with over 300 reviews.

History-Making ‘Dogs

The Orleans Bulldogs (and every other school in Orange County) had never won an IHSAA team state championship… until this past spring. On March 29, Orleans defeated Clinton Prairie 64-55 in the boys basketball 1A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse thanks to 63.9 percent shooting (23-of-36) and 60 percent three-point shooting (6-of-10), both 1A title game records.

It had been over a century since Orleans had even reached the state tournament in boys basketball, when it did so in three consecutive years from 1912-14. Its deepest run previously was a semifinal appearance in 1912.

News About Orleans

• Congress Square is the name of the town’s public square. Some also refer to it as “Seminary Square” in recognition of the Orleans Academy that stood in its place from 1864-1963. No matter its name, it’s home to a playground, restored 1926 brick bandstand, shelter houses, and a fountain and sculpture.

• Want a little spice on the taste buds? El Compadre serves up quesadillas, fajitas, pollo loco, guacamole and more, all at affordable prices. It has 125 Google reviews and a 4.6-star rating. The Orleans location is one of six El Compadre restaurants in southern Indiana.

• If you’re craving something sweet, head to the local ice cream parlor Hometown Scoops where award-winning ice cream is served daily. When the weather is nice, outdoor yard games add to the experience.

• The Lost River is nearby and one of Indiana’s most unique natural wonders. Estimated to be 87 miles in length (nobody really knows because the caverns haven’t been fully explored), 23 miles of the Lost River actually flows underground and resurfaces at deep springs.

Headed to southern Indiana? Swing through Orleans to see its many dogwoods, explore the newly opened Monon South Trail, and grab a ‘za and breadsticks from Speakeasy.

Check out Nate’s breakdown of Orleans ⬇️