Small Town Breakdown No. 29: Bedford, Indiana
In 2025, we’re highlighting 52 small towns across Indiana in 52 weeks. For our 29th small town breakdown of the year we’re going from Clinton in Vermillion County to Bedford in Lawrence County. Bedford is 1 hour and 20 minutes south of Indianapolis, 40 minutes south of Bloomington, and 1 hour and 30 minutes northwest of Louisville.
What’s it like in Bedford?
Bedford – the “Limestone Capital of the World” – is home to deep history, impressive natural landscapes, and a welcoming downtown, and it produced one of the greatest high school basketball players Indiana has ever seen.
The History of Lawrence County and Bedford, Indiana
Lawrence County was land that was once part of Knox and Harrison counties and later Washington and Orange counties. It was officially founded in 1818 and named for naval officer Captain James Lawrence, who coined the phrase “don’t give up the ship” in the War of 1812. Its first county seat was located on the bluffs of the White River—Palestine. Sadly, a malaria outbreak swept through Palestine and forced the state to move the seat to Bedford in 1825.
The decision to name the town Bedford was a compromise, influenced by Joseph Rawlins, who previously lived in Bedford County, Tennessee. It became incorporated as a city in 1889. But Bedford’s global claim to fame? Limestone. Bedford is home to some of the purest limestone on Earth—stone that’s helped build the Empire State Building, Pentagon, National Cathedral, and many state capitol buildings.
As of the 2023 census Bedford’s population was 13,853, making it the largest of three incorporated towns/cities in Lawrence County ahead of Mitchell (3,942) and Oolitic (1,135). Bedford is located within Shawswick Township and is the 67th-largest city in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Bedford, Indiana
If you’re a history buff, the Lawrence County Museum of History details Bedford’s industrial past, from limestone to railroads and local legends. The Downtown Courthouse Square was part of the town’s original platting in 1825, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 with many 19th and 20th century buildings featuring limestone from local quarries.
For outdoor enthusiasts, explore Bluespring Caverns – America’s longest underground river – by boat just outside of town. The one-hour boat ride is totally worth it. Spring Mill State Park, which we highlighted in our small town breakdown about nearby Mitchell, is a short drive south. It features an 1800s pioneer village, cave boat tours, hiking trails, and a memorial for astronaut Gus Grissom.
If fresh produce speaks to your soul, then you’ve got to check out Applacres off State Road 37. Known as Lawrence County’s go-to fresh market, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, seasonal plants, homemade goodies, and of course, find an apple or dozen in the apple orchard out back. Enjoy popcorn and apple cider on the house during your visit, and don’t miss out on the cherry apple cider milkshakes.
Otis Park Golf Course is recognized as one of the best municipal golf courses in Indiana. It’s a 6,300-yard par 73 layout, making it a challenge to everyone who tees off.
Places to Eat or Grab a Drink in Bedford, Indiana
Start your day at Magic Morning Bakery, where you can devour fresh donuts and cinnamon rolls while sipping on your morning coffee. They’ve got over 15,000 followers on Facebook, 4.7 stars on Google, and are open weekly Tuesday through Saturday.
Next up for lunch or dinner is Smokin’ Jim’s BBQ and Steakhouse, known for fall-off-the-bone ribs, pulled pork, and hearty sides. This is the local hot spot for smoky goodness, and nearly 10,000 followers on Facebook back it up.
What used to be two separate locations as Mamma’s and Pappa’s is now one as Mamma’s & Pappa’s, and the merger married most of the menu. NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe, a Mitchell, Indiana native, swears by the pepperoni breadsticks. Guests also rave about the salad bar, breaded tenderloin, and Bacon Jam Burger.
Bedford North Lawrence State Championships
Bedford North Lawrence has won eight state championships in school history, including six on the hardwood – five by the girls program – and two in unified sports (flag football, 2018; track & field, 2022).
Girls hoops claimed Bedford’s first IHSAA state title during the single-class format in 1983 with a 55-50 win over Crown Point. They returned to three consecutive state championship games from 1990-92, defeating Warsaw 52-44 in the 1991 matchup. They secured back-to-back 4A titles in 2013-14 with victories over Fort Wayne South Side (54-51) and Penn (51-41) – the latter coached by Bedford basketball legend Damon Bailey – and more recently knocked off Fishers 46-42 in the 2023 4A championship contest.
More on Damon Bailey
Boys basketball won the 1990 state championship over Concord 63-60 at the Hoosier Dome (later renamed the RCA Dome) in a shootout that welcomed a national high school record crowd of 41,046. Bailey, who ended his prep career as the state’s all-time leading scorer with 3,134 points, led Bedford North Lawrence to the upset over top-ranked Concord with a storybook finish, scoring BNL’s last 11 points to help them erase a six-point deficit in the final 2 minutes and 38 seconds. You can watch the fourth-quarter finish here.
Bailey averaged 28.4 points per game and shot 60 percent on 2,000 field-goal attempts in high school, playing in 110 games. BNL went 40-0 at home during his career. Following his senior season in 1990 he was named Mr. Indiana Basketball, McDonald’s All-American and the Naismith Basketball High School Player of the Year.
Bailey was a four-year starter at Indiana University under legendary coach Bob Knight, helping the Hoosiers to the 1992 Final Four. He was also an AP All-American in 1994 and graduated with more wins than any player in IU history. He was a second-round pick of the Indiana Pacers in 1994 but injuries derailed his NBA career, so he never appeared in a game.
He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 29 of 2025. Where should we head next?
