In 2025 we are highlighting 52 small towns across the state of Indiana in 52 weeks. For our eighth small town breakdown of the year, we’re headed from the county seat of Lawrenceburg in Dearborn County to the small town of Churubusco in Whitley County. Churubusco is a short 25-minute drive northwest of Fort Wayne.
The History of Whitley County and Churubusco, Indiana
Located in northeast Indiana, Whitley County was authorized as a county in Indiana on Feb. 7, 1835, and was named after Colonel William Whitley, who was killed in the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812. One of its few towns is Churubusco, which was officially established in November 1847. Initially, the towns of Franklin and Union were founded in 1845 but were divided by railroad tracks. Since they were in the same location, the Postmaster General ordered them to apply for a joint post office. The residents ultimately went with Churubusco, named after the 1847 Battle of Churubusco in the Mexican-American War. As of the 2023 census, Churubusco’s population was 1,866.
Turtle Town, USA
Churubusco is known as Turtle Town, USA. But why exactly? In the late 1800s, a farmer named Oscar Fulk claimed he saw a giant turtle living in his lake. He told his neighbors but word died down. Fifty years later, in July 1948, two Churubusco citizens reported seeing the same snapping turtle while fishing on the lake and estimated its weight at 500 pounds! A month-long hunt for “Oscar” or better known as the “Beast of Busco” began shortly after and gained national recognition in LIFE magazine. The story stretched far and wide, and even forced state police to be called in for traffic control with thousands of sightseers wanting to catch a glimpse of the shell shocker. While the Fulk Lake monster was never found, it did spark the beginning of the longest running festival in Indiana.
Things to Do in Churubusco, Indiana
If your timing is right, Churubusco’s Turtle Days Festival rivals any town festival in the state. This year’s four-day edition runs June 11-14 and includes staples like amusement park rides, a parade, 5K, local vendors and great food. In addition to live entertainment and karaoke, the Miss Turtle Days pageant has its home on the stage. Lastly, it wouldn’t be the Turtle Days Festival without TURTLE RACING. Yes, you can BYOT (bring your own turtle). On top of having the fastest turtle, participants can win for having the smallest turtle or largest turtle. Nobody has captured the “Beast of Busco” and brought it to the Turtle Days Festival, but it feels like becoming town mayor is appropriate if you do.
Other outdoor activities include getting on the water and fishing at Blue Lake or heading south of city limits to Eel River Golf Course, which has an impressive 4.5 Google Review rating with over 200 reviews.
Places to Eat in Churubusco, Indiana
We’ll start with Edwin Coe Spirits, a grain-to-glass artisan distillery located off Highway 33 west of town. Founded in 2016, Edwin Coe Spirits’ drink menu includes rye, rum, gin, vodka, honey blends and more. If you’re hungry, dive into the South Carolina Bird Dog, a hand-breaded and fried chicken breast tenderloin topped with house-made honey mustard, smoked paprika aioli, seasonal greens and scallions on a brioche bun. You can’t go wrong with any of the Fiddler Favorites, which includes Charleston Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, the Old Coe Prohibition Burger or the Johnny Boat — smoked pulled pork topped with pickles, coleslaw and sauces on a bed of pub chips. The distillery also entertains guests with live music and offers country landscape views from its back patio.
As you make your way toward downtown Churubusco from Edwin Coe Spirits, you’ll spot the Little Turtle Famous Pancake House where waffles and, you guessed it, pancakes are king. They are known for serving large portions at an affordable price, which has led to happy customers (4.9 Google Reviews rating). On Main Street downtown, Papa’s Place is the local pizza joint. It’s headliner ‘za is named “Oscar” and is loaded with “everything but the kitchen sink.” It starts with Mama’s pizza sauce and ends with mozzarella cheese. In the middle? Pepperoni, American sausage, Italian sausage, ground beef, ham, salami, bacon, chicken, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, green olives, banana peppers, and jalapeños. Yep, I’m full just thinking about it. Foodies should bookmark the Magic Wand Restaurant and Brevin’s Downtown Eatery as places to dine, too.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 8 of 2025. Where should we head next?
