Small Town Breakdown No. 64: Boonville, Indiana
For this week’s small town breakdown we’re going from Montezuma in Parke County to Boonville, the county seat of Warrick County. Boonville is 1 hour and 30 minutes west of Louisville and 30 minutes east of Evansville.
The History of Warrick County and Boonville, Indiana
Warrick County was organized in 1813 from part of Knox County. It was named by William Henry Harrison for Captain Jacob Warrick, a leader who was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe. The county’s original size encompassed what are now Posey, Vanderburgh, Spencer, Perry, and parts of Crawford counties. Its first county seat was Evansville, then Darlington, and eventually Boonville.
Boonville was founded in 1818 and is historically rooted in coal mining and agriculture. It was named after Jesse Boon, father of Ratliff Boon (Indiana’s second governor), who donated land for the site. The town is connected to Abraham Lincoln’s youth and is known to be “Where Lincoln learned the law.” Young Abe, who lived in the part of Indiana that was Warrick County when his family arrived and later became Spencer County in 1818, walked to Boonville for books and to watch a local attorney argue legal cases.
As of the 2024 census, Boonville’s population is 6,687, making it the largest incorporated town/city in Warrick County. It is the 106th-largest city in Indiana.
Stay IN the Know
Get the best of Indiana delivered to your inbox every week.
Things to Do In or Near Boonville, Indiana
City Lake Park is home to playgrounds, a basketball court, two picnic shelters, two gazebos, and best of all – a spray park. The spray park opened in 2006 and is typically open during the summer months.
Just northeast of Boonville sits Scales Lake Park, a great place to enjoy the outdoors in southern Indiana. It has a 66-acre lake that is perfect for boating and fishing, has plenty of room for camping and picnicking, and park-goers can swim, hike, and pursue countless outdoor activities. If you aren’t into primitive camping, rent one of their many cabins.
For history buffs, the Warrick County Museum has been serving guests since 1977. Located in Boonville’s historic Ella Williams School, which was a school for children from 1901 to 1976, the museum has current exhibits showcasing Warrick County High Schools through the years, World War II, and War memorabilia, with upcoming exhibits including the history of Ella Williams School and Festival of Trees.
Quail Crossing Golf Club is a beautiful 18-hole, links-style course just a few minutes west of town. The bluestem and other prairie grasses that were selected with Quail Unlimited provide an ideal habitat for quail after which the course is named.
Boonville’s downtown square, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is worth exploring too, whether you’re looking to shop or grab a bite to eat.
Places to Eat or Drink in Boonville, Indiana
If you’re on the square, there are many places to post up for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
2 Chicks Bistro & Bakery opens at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and is best known for its blooming onion, sandwiches, and cheesecake as the go-to for dessert.
Stay IN the Know
Get the best of Indiana delivered to your inbox every week.
Una Pizza is open from 3:30–9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and whips up deep dish ‘za locals love.
Commander’s Grill is open Wednesday through Sunday and cooks up homemade fried chicken. Other menu favorites include tenderloin, prime rib and a delicious pickle chip appetizer.
3rd Street Saloon is another popular spot that is open seven days a week. If you visit, order its signature mashed potato bowl topped with a warm biscuit. They host bingo nights and can guarantee a good time.
Not on the square but worth mentioning include Pioneer Bakery for classic donuts, pastries and cakes, TF Ice Cream for dessert, and RJ’s Restaurant & Bar, open Tuesday through Saturday. RJ’s is where you’ll catch the game while enjoying its all-you-can-eat homestyle buffet.
The story of TF Ice Cream is interesting. Terry Fortune bought the Tastee Freez in Boonville in 1978, which had already been open for 25 years. In 2007, a fire almost wiped away the building, but Terre and his wife rebuilt and TF Ice Cream has prospered ever since.
High School History
Boonville High School is home of the Pioneers, and they have tradition in softball. The Pioneers have made 10 state finals appearances (fourth-most in the state) and four state championship game appearances (tied for ninth-most in the state), winning 3A titles in 2006 and 2021 while finishing as runners-up in 2007 and 2010. In ‘06, pitcher Erika Taylor threw a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over Northridge in the semifinals and followed that up with a two-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over New Prairie in the championship. The ‘21 championship featured another shutout victory in the finals, 1-0 over Guerin Catholic.
During the 2025-26 wrestling season, junior Sam Howard became the first wrestler in school history to compete in the state finals match, falling in an 18-15 thriller to Lawrence North’s Michael White, the then-No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country at 190 pounds. With White graduating in May and off to wrestle at Oklahoma State University, Howard will be a favorite this winter to become Boonville’s first state champion on the mat.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 64. Where should we head next?