The History of Johnson County and Bargersville, Indiana
Named after John Johnson, the first Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, Johnson County was founded in 1822 and platted on May 5, 1823.
Bargersville is located in the White River and Union townships. The town was originally platted in 1850 and named after its first resident Jefferson Barger. The Indianapolis Southern Railway expanded and developed a train station called the Bargersville Stop one-half mile west of the existing town in 1906. The Bargersville train station had a grain elevator, grocery store, lumber yard, retail shop, and bank near it that helped establish the new community in the area, and the original town became known as Old Bargersville. Eventually the town dropped the “old”, leaving Bargersville as the new community.
As of the 2024 census, Bargersville’s population is 11,283, making it the third-largest of seven incorporated towns/cities in Johnson County behind Greenwood (68,175) and Franklin (26,158). It is the 80th-largest city in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Bargersville, Indiana
There are tons of fun activities for anyone to enjoy in Bargersville. Plus, the town is in close proximity to other major cities like Greenwood, Bloomington, and Indianapolis.
Mallow Run Winery is a popular spot in Bargersville for both visitors and residents. This family farm offers complimentary wine tasting in its old hayloft. Mallow Run houses nearly seven acres of grapes, from Corot Noir to Brianna to Catawba. On top of its huge wine catalog, it also hosts a Picnic Concert Series during the warmer months where you can sip wine and enjoy live music! For a deeper dive on Mallow Run Winery, read this Get Indiana feature!
If you’re looking for something more kid-friendly, Kephart Park is the perfect destination. Open daily from dusk to dawn, this park features a playground, tennis and pickleball courts, and a seasonal splash pad. Locals rave about the playground's safety features, making this the ideal spot for children to have fun.
In downtown Bargersville, you’ll find Bargersville Wellness, a beauty salon specializing in facials, hair care, massages, and yoga classes. The salon is owned by two southside besties who aspire to reshape the way people care for themselves and others. Both owners pride themselves in having a safe, inclusive place for self-care.
If you want to take your golf game to the next level, check out Eagle Two Golf Center. This indoor golf, retail and club repair facility has four simulator bays for you to hone your craft.
Places to Eat or Drink in Bargersville, Indiana
Cellar’s Market is a wine cafe and bakery – the perfect place to start your morning. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., this Bargersville marketplace features artisan coffee, fresh pastries, and homemade gelato. They even have a wine cellar with over 100 selections to fit any budget. Brunch at Cellar’s is served daily until 3 p.m. and the menu is extensive! From fluffy breakfast sandwiches and three-egg omelets to delicious sandwiches and salads, there’s truly something for everyone. If you’re stopping in for dinner after 3 p.m., you have to try their charcuterie boards, and pair it with a specialty wine!
For more upscale dining, sitting right above Cellar’s Market in downtown Bargersville is Up Cellar. This modern steakhouse has all the elegance and charm you need for a dining experience. Seating is limited so they recommend making a reservation. You can even request its private rooftop patio, if weather permits. Visitors give them a 4.5 star rating on Google.
For pizza fanatics, Pizza & Libations was established in 2022 and has Neapolitan-style pizza with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The pizza is then cooked in its PizzaMaster deck oven at over 700 degrees Fahrenheit. The Godfather is one of its most popular pies made with red sauce, a mozzarella and asiago blend, Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, and ricotta. You can’t go wrong with its classic Margherita either. They even have gluten-free crust! Its dining room also features a large bar with cocktails, wine and beer with both indoor and outdoor seating. This is the perfect spot to hang with friends, have dinner with family, or a fun date night.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, The Hope Gallery in downtown Bargersville sells tons of sweet treats. This unique space opened in 2018 and started as a boutique for people and their pets, selling art and other fun items. Now, the shop sells ice cream treats, baked desserts, and candy. Its tagline is “Wonderfully made, Perfectly unique,” and that’s said to be true for its products and employees. Mrs. Curl Ice Cream Shop is another hidden gem in nearby Greenwood, just nine miles from Bargersville. This outdoor ice cream shop has been serving up treats for over 60 years. If you’re ever in the area, you have to try its soft serve with a flavor burst – it’s the absolute best!
Lastly, we can’t leave out Taxman Brewing Co. Established in 2014, Taxman’s original restaurant location sits in downtown Bargersville alongside Taxman’s production brewery. It’s family-friendly inside and out, and dogs are welcome on the seasonal patio during the warmer months. Taxman also has restaurants in Fortville and Indianapolis CityWay.
Bargersville / Johnson County High Schools
Johnson County has two major school districts: Center Grove and Franklin Community Schools.
Home of the Trojans, Center Grove High School serves western Greenwood and most of Bargersville. The school was founded in 1884 and is located at the same intersection in White River Township, Johnson County. Center Grove has won a total of 20 state championships across multiple sports, including seven in softball – more than any other high school in the state. Football is another powerhouse, with the Trojans claiming the 2008 5A title and 6A championships in 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Boys golf and boys tennis are the other programs with multiple state titles at two apiece. The school’s first state championship came in softball in 1986.
Franklin Community High School was established in 1871 and is home of the Grizzly Cubs. It serves smaller portions of Bargersville. Franklin Community has five IHSAA state titles, including a historic three-peat in boys basketball in 1920, 1921, and 1922. The school was the first of three Indiana high schools to win three consecutive state titles in IHSAA boys basketball history, later accomplished by Marion (1985-87) and Lawrence North (2004-06). Ernest “Griz” Wagner was the head coach of the team, known as the “Wonder Five.” The Grizzly Cubs nickname came about after the team’s success in high school and later at Franklin College, where Wagner and many of the same players won a national college championship together. Franklin Community also won a boys golf championship in 1938 and boys cross country title in 2001.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 41 of 2025. Where should we head next?
