Driving I-65 through southern Indiana? Get off near Seymour and swing into the Jackson County seat of Brownstown for a plate at Azteca or Blondie's, a race night at Brownstown Speedway, live music and watermelon at Rock the Rind, or a hike to Pinnacle Peak.
Small Town Breakdown No. 79: Brownstown, Indiana
For this week's small town breakdown we're going from the county seat of Kentland in Newton County to the county seat of Brownstown in Jackson County. Brownstown is one hour and 15 minutes south of Indianapolis and one hour north of Louisville.
The History of Jackson County and Brownstown, Indiana
Jackson County was formed on Jan. 1, 1816, and carved out of Clark, Jefferson, and Washington counties as the 14th county organized in the Indiana Territory. It was named for Andrew Jackson, who defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans later that year and went on to become president. Vallonia served as the temporary county seat starting that June before the seat moved to Brownstown that November.
Brownstown was platted in April 1816 by John Milroy and was named for General Jacob Brown, another officer from the War of 1812. The Jackson County Courthouse was built in 1870, remodeled in 1911, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Its grounds include a Sherman M4 tank memorial and a cast iron fence dating to 1872.
As of February 2026, Brownstown’s population sits at 3,040, making it the 178th-largest incorporated city/town in Indiana and the second-largest in Jackson County behind Seymour (22,371).
Things to Do In Brownstown, Indiana
The first weekend of August is headlined by Rock the Rind, a ticketed country music festival that the Get Indiana crew attended this year. Rock the Rind was a reintroduction of the legendary Jackson County Watermelon Festival, complete with food vendors and of course, watermelon.
Hickory Hills Golf Club is a fun, challenging, scenic and affordable 9-hole course just southwest of town. It opened in 1973 and was designed by Harold England.
Brownstown Speedway has featured Super Late Models, Super Stocks, and several other divisions on its dirt track since 1952 at the fairgrounds.
Speaking of the fairgrounds, the Jackson County Fair got its start in 1939 and has grown into one of the world's largest county fairs, drawing over 100,000 visitors each July for 4-H exhibits, grandstand concerts, a demolition derby, and a midway.
Outdoor lovers should pay a visit to Pinnacle Peak, tucked away in the Jackson-Washington State Forest. It’s just under 2.5 miles of hiking roundtrip and features a panoramic view of farmland and rolling hills once you’re at the top.
Places to Eat or Drink in Brownstown, Indiana
Azteca Mexican Restaurant is the local go-to, with regulars calling it the best Mexican food in Jackson County. Dive into the buffet, and don’t skip the fish tacos with a margarita. They have nearly 600 reviews on Google with a 4.6-star rating.
Another strong lunch or dinner option is Blondie's Pizzeria & Pub, which sits just off Main Street near the square and pairs scratch-made pizza and hearty subs with a solid beer list.
For a lunch break, Stahl's Cafe & Deli serves up homemade soups and comfort food.
High School History
Brownstown Central High School is home of the Braves. The girls volleyball team won the school's first state championship, bringing home the 3A title in 2020. They also finished as 2A runners-up in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008, and 3A runners-up in 2024 and 2025.
Most recently, boys basketball claimed the 2A title in 2024 after finishing as 2A runner-up in 2004 and 2009. Senior Jack Benter scored 25 points in that win under his head coach and father, Dave Benter. Jack committed to Purdue and will enter his redshirt sophomore year this winter for the Boilermakers.
That's it for small town breakdown No. 79. Where should we head next?
