Summer Series: 50 States - Indiana

INDIANA

Welcome to the 19th state!  Hoosier State entered the Union on December 11, 1816.  It is the 38th largest state by area and the 14th most populated state.  The largest city here is also the capital - Indianapolis.  Before this, Corydon had the honor from 1816 to 1825.  The city of Vincennes was the capital when Indiana was still a territory.

You may be asking yourself, "What does Hoosier mean?"  No one knows for sure.  There are several stories.  One is about a man named Hoosier who hired Indianians (people living in Indiana).  Another story is tied to the dialect of those living in the area.  They would hear their neighbors at the door and ask, "Who's here?"  This was changed over time to Hoosier.  The name Indiana simply means "land of the Indians."

Indiana is considered a Great Lakes state even though only 40 miles of it touch Lake Michigan.  The region was explored and claimed by the French explorer, LaSalle, for New France (present-day Canada).  Many Indian tribes once lived in this region.  Today, there are fewer than 8,000 Native Americans living here.

Indiana's motto is "The Crossroads of America" because it has been a major thoroughfare whether by land or sea since the 1800s.  More miles of interstate highway run through this state than any other (per square mile).  The first long-distance auto race took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 1911.  Top speeds were 75 mph, and the winner received $14,000.  Today, the top speeds are 167 mph, and the winner receives $1.2 million.  This race is known today as the Indy 500 and takes place every Memorial Day.

There have been many firsts in Indiana.  It is a state that has been rich with inventors and entrepreneurs.  Marcella Gruelle created the Raggedy Ann doll in 1914.  The first professional baseball game was played in 1871.  The rapid-fire machine gun was invented by Richard Gatling in 1862.  Over 200 makes of cars were produced here between 1900 and 1920.  Many of these cars today are classics.

Santa Claus, Indiana, receives more than half a million letters each Christmas season.  Fort Vincennes was the starting point of Lewis and Clark's expedition.  Abraham Lincoln called Indiana home from the age of 7 when he moved here with his parents.  Fountain City is known as the "Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad."  Levi and Katie Coffin served as agents of this secret path which served to bring slaves to freedom.

Some other famous Hoosiers are Larry Bird, professional basketball player; Ambrose Burnside, a U.S. General; James Dean, actor; Brendan Fraser, actor; Gus Grissom, astronaut; Jimmy Hoffa; Janet, Michael, Tito, LaToya Jackson (and other members), singers; David Letterman, talk show host; John Mellencamp, singer; Cole Porter, musician; Dan Quayle, vice president; Orville Redenbacher, famous for popcorn; David Lee Roth, singer; Colonel Harland Sanders, famous for Kentucky Fried Chicken; Red Skelton, comedian; Kurt Vonnegut, writer; Wilbur Wright, co-inventor of the airplane.

The major industries of Indiana are agricultural (corn, soybeans, and wheat), manufacturing, steel-making, and coal and limestone mining.  Indiana sits on top of one of the world's largest deposits of limestone.

Large Memmonite and Amish communities exist in Bern, Indiana.  The Amish are forbidden to drive cars and use electricity.  Amish Acres Historic Farm and Heritage Resort in Nappanee provides the visitor with an inside glimpse of Amish life.  If visiting Indiana, check out the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers or the College Football Hall of Fame.  Of course, there is always the Indy 500 if you happen to be here on Memorial Day.

Indiana's state bird is the Cardinal.  The flower is the Peony, and the tree is the Tulip Tree.

Indiana's flag was designed by Paul Hadley who won a design contest.  It was adopted in 1917.  There are 19 gold stars.  The 13 stars in the outer circle stand for the 13 original colonies.  The 5 stars in the inner circle on the bottom half stand for the states admitted to the Union between the 13 original and Indiana.  The largest star on the flag represents Indiana.

The following are resources available at Christianbook.com.  I am an affiliate.  If you choose to purchase through my blog, I will receive a small commission.

Indiana Pocket Guide, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International The perfect reference guide. This handy 4" x 6", easy-to-use guide is divided into seven color-coded sections which include: basics, history, geography, people, places, nature, and more! Riddles, recipes, and surprising facts make this guide a delight! Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.

More than Petticoats: Remarkable Indiana Women By Globe Pequot

Indiana Government Project Book, Grades K-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Government and civics projects includes: designing a simple census questionnaire; creating a replica of the state flag; staging a mock election and more!

Indiana Big Activity Book, Grades K-5 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International

Before the Thunder Rolls: Devotions for NASCAR Fans By Dale Beaver / Judson Press Forewords by Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman! "The writer to Hebrews tells us that life is like a race and, like the Daytona 500, it's a race of endurance as much as speed." -from Chapter One "We Don't Just Show Up" Before the Thunder Rolls shares with racing fans: An insider's look into each critical stage of the racing experience, from "It Starts in the Shop" to "Off the Truck," from "How Did We Qualify?" to "Final Inspection," finishing with "Staying on Track off the Track" Scripture selections related to these pivotal moments in the racing experience Spiritual tools for facing each day In addition, the book concludes with the never-before-published eulogy preached at the funeral of one of racing's legends!

Raggedy Ann Stories - eBook By Johnny Gruelle, Johnny Gruelle / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

How Raggedy Ann Got Her Candy Heart By Stephanie True Peters / Simon & Schuster One day Raggedy Ann takes a kite ride way up into the sky--only to land in a bucket of paint! A friendly painter offers to fix her up like new, and it looks like Marcella will have to part with her doll for a short time. But when Raggedy Ann comes back to Marcella, she's better than ever because of the painter's special gift. In this new edition of a classic, retold for young children, Raggedy Ann and the other dolls in the nursery come to life with humor and spirit. For ages 3-7.

Limestone Fossil (Package of 10) By American Educational Products, LLC

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extraordinary Automobiles By DK Publishing Inc.

Automobiles Lapbook - PDF Download [Download] By Cyndi Kinney / Knowledge Box Central

Car: A Definitive Visual History of the Automobile By DK Publishing / DK Adult

Indiana Cousins Trilogy By Wanda E. Brunstetter / Barbour Publishing On a quiet September weekend, plans for a fun outing turn tragic when a vanload of Amish teenagers is struck by a semi-truck. Four young women are forever changed by the event. Loraine's fiance' is severely injured and breaks their engagement. Katie's boyfriend is killed and she sinks into a depression. Jolene loses her hearing. Ella tries to hold her cousins together, but even she struggles with the loss of her brother. Can God bring new hope into these young lives and turn their tears of sadness to tears of joy through new love? Find out in this three book collection.