Corydon

Small Town Breakdown

Corydon, Indiana, is a small yet lively town rich in Hoosier history, offering exciting excursions and great food.

Fast Facts

📍LOCATION: Southern Indiana

• Corydon is located near the center of Harrison County.

• Interstate 64 runs east-west and is less than a mile north of town.

• Indiana State Road 135 runs north-south through the area, leading south to Indiana Caverns and north to New Salisbury.

• Indiana State Road 337 runs north-south through town, leading north to the town of Depauw and south to Dogwood.

• Indiana State Road 62 runs east-west through town, leading west to White Cloud and east to Breckenridge.

• 30 minutes west of Louisville

• 1 hour and 30 minutes east of Evansville

• 2 hours south of Indianapolis

👥 POPULATION & RANKING

• 3,153 residents (as of 2024)

• Ranks as Indiana’s 174th-largest city

• Largest incorporated town/city in Harrison County

📏 LAND AREA

• 1.64 square miles

📅 FOUNDED

• Harrison County was organized in 1808 from parts of Knox and Clark counties.

• It was named in honor of William Henry Harrison who owned land within the county and was Territorial Governor of Indiana from 1800-12 before later becoming the ninth President of the United States.

• Founded in 1808, Corydon served as the capital of the Indiana Territory from 1813-16. Vincennes was the original Indiana Territory capital from 1800-13.

• Corydon was home to Indiana’s very first constitutional convention in 1816, when 43 elected delegates gathered to draft the state’s first constitution.

• This was a critical step that led to Indiana’s admission into statehood on Dec. 11, 1816.

• Corydon remained the capital of Indiana until 1825, when the state government’s seat was moved to Indianapolis.

🏥 MAIN INDUSTRIES: Healthcare, Retail Trade, Manufacturing, Tourism

• Harrison County Hospital has been serving the area since 1950. Its services include acute inpatient and outpatient care, home health care, long term care, health education, health screening, wellness, and rehabilitative care.

• As the county seat, major retailers like Walmart and Tractor Supply have stores in town.

• Icon Metal Forming LLC - Martinrea is an automotive parts manufacturer, and Lucas Oil Products has a production facility in town.

• Corydon’s history as Indiana’s first state capital and the site of Indiana’s only Civil War battle attracts many visitors.

Indiana Caverns & O’Bannon Woods

For families, Indiana Caverns Family Adventure Park is a must. In addition to an other-worldly underground cave tour that includes a boat ride, there’s a zip coaster (one of two in the United States), gemstone mining, a 50-foot drop plunge experience, and more.

Sticking outdoors, O’Bannon Woods State Park spans 2,300 acres and has miles and miles of hiking trails. If you’re a seasoned hiker, try out the 25-mile Adventure Trail, a three-day hike with several overnight shelters along the way. These trails also lead to additional activities, such as mountain biking and horseback riding. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, beat the heat at the Aquatic Center with their water slides and splash pads. O’Bannon Woods also has 234 reservable sites at its electric campground!

History Lessons

For history buffs, check out the Harrison County Discovery Center and the Corydon State Historic Site. During the summer months, visit the Battle of Corydon Memorial Park, which is the site of the only Civil War battle on Indiana soil that took place on July 9, 1863.

Corydon Shopping

Housed in a historic barn built in 1880, the Red Barn Antique Mall has been around since 1985 and features three floors of antique glassware and china, furniture, and other collectibles.

Vintage Treasures Antique Mall & Flea Emporium is another great shop to check out. This mall features over 7,500 square feet of shopping space, accommodating more than 80 vendors.

Harrison County Popcorn Festival

Mark your calendar for the Harrison County Popcorn Festival, held annually over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. This festival celebrates one of the county’s most cherished agricultural products with live music, vendors, games, a beer garden, and a parade that features an epic popcorn blower.

Speaking of Food

Start your morning at Frederick’s Cafe, a cozy downtown diner. They serve breakfast and lunch with dishes like pancakes, eggs cooked your way, sandwiches, and salads. All of their dishes are handmade with fresh ingredients, made to remind you of “grandma’s cooking.”

While you’re downtown, stop by KARV Meats Restaurant & Butcher Shop. This butcher/restaurant/tavern has something for everyone. You can expect fresh meats, scratch-made sauces, and weekly specials. In the evening, unwind with a specialty cocktail or one of their rotating local drafts.

For an elevated dining experience, head to 1816 Modern Kitchen & Drinks where Southern staples are combined with Asian flavors. The head chef Scott Dickenson has over 20 years of culinary experience using fresh farm-to-table ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing their famous fried green tomatoes for a starter or diving into their General Tso platter as your main dish, you won’t be disappointed.

And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, try Lazy Cow Creamery & Sweets for ice cream, candy, refreshers, boba, and other sweets, including dairy-free options.

Panther Watch

• Corydon Central High School is the largest school in Harrison County, serving high school students of Harrison Township, Washington Township, Heth Township, and Webster Township. They are known as the Panthers.

• The school has never won a state championship, but its girls basketball team did earn 3A runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2023, falling to South Bend St. Joseph’s and Fairfield.

• The Corydon Cinemas is the perfect place for families, date nights, or a night out with friends to enjoy a movie. Hayswood Theatre is a community theatre featuring live shows, musicals, dramas, comedies, and kid-friendly workshops.

• We can’t leave out Corydon’s top burger spot, Flipdaddy’s, which has 27 handcrafted burger options.

Seeking some Indiana history with a side of fun? Put the first state capital Corydon on your 2026 bucket list.

Check out Nate’s breakdown of Corydon ⬇️