What’s it like in Ferdinand, Indiana?

What’s it like in Ferdinand?

Ferdinand is a quiet town in southern Indiana’s Dubois County, but it’s hard to miss once you spot the domes of the Monastery Immaculate Conception, home to the Sisters of Saint Benedict. Known as the “Castle on the Hill,” the monastery sets the tone for the town where rich history, faith, shops and good eats meet.

The History of Dubois County and Ferdinand, Indiana

Dubois County was established in 1817 and named for Captain Toussaint Dubois, a French-born scout who fought in many American Indian Wars and purchased land in the area prior to the county’s founding. The county is known as the “Wood Capital of the World” due to dozens of furniture manufacturers.

Ferdinand was established in 1840 by Catholic priest Father Joseph Kundek, who was originally from Croatia, and settled by German-speaking Catholic immigrants. He wanted two Catholic towns on the road from Troy to Jasper, and Ferdinand was the first of those two towns. He originally named the town Ferdinandsstadt after the Emperor of Austria. Today, the town thrives behind its religious heritage and the Monastery Immaculate Conception, which was founded in 1867 by four sisters from the St. Walburg Benedictine Convent in nearby Covington, Kentucky. Ferdinand became an incorporated community in 1905.

As of the 2024 census Ferdinand’s population was 2,188, making it the third-largest of five incorporated towns/cities in Dubois County behind the county seat of Jasper (16,967) and Huntingburg (6,512). Ferdinand is tied with Versailles for being the 209th-largest city in Indiana.

Things to Do In or Near Ferdinand, Indiana

If there’s one thing you need to check off when visiting Ferdinand, it’s going to the Monastery Immaculate Conception, home to the Sisters of Saint Benedict. There is so much history here, much connecting back to Father Joseph Kundek and his founding of Ferdinand in the mid-1800s. This place is absolutely stunning with incredible architecture.

Ferdinand is also home to some great local shops, highlighted by the Ferdinand Antique and Emporium Vendor Mall where we could have spent an entire day. Antiques, vintage cards, you name it, they’ve got it.

Tin Lizzie’s Home Decor and Gifts is home to boutique clothing, gifts and seasonal decor. Its building was once a butcher shop and later a private residence to a homeowner who went all out for Christmas. 2025 marks the 155th year of the building.

Another unique place worth exploring is Traditional Arts Today, a community centered art gallery and studio that opened its doors in 2018. They operate as a nonprofit organization and today showcase the work of over 40 local artists. They also offer book folding classes, pasta making classes, cooking classes and so much more.

If you want to get outdoors and explore the rolling hills of Dubois County, make the short drive northeast of town to the Ferdinand State Forest. This forest spans over 7,600 acres and has over 10 miles of trails for hiking and biking, lakes for fishing and boating, hunting areas, campsites, and a beach that’s open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Places to Eat or Grab a Drink in Ferdinand, Indiana

There are a couple locations with Ferdinand addresses that serve top-notch breakfast food.

We’ll start with the family-owned and operated Cascade Cafe, which opened in October 2022. Everything on the menu is homemade, and the most expensive item is just $10.99. Of course, we ordered it – the Haystack, a bed of hash browns covered with biscuits and gravy and topped with two scrambled eggs. The cafe is also known for its jumbo cinnamon rolls, friendly service, and some really cool art on the walls completed by one of the owners’ daughters. They serve breakfast only Wednesday through Saturday and have racked up 4.9 stars on Google.

Just a few miles west of town in Saint Henry but still with a Ferdinand address is The Bungalow Bar. You can enjoy lunch, dinner and drinks there regularly, but we visited for a special occasion – they only serve breakfast one Sunday each month! Be sure to check them out on Facebook to see what specials they’re offering. We had Southwest Brisket Hash and Cinnamon Rolls Pancakes during our visit, and they each hit the spot.

For lunch, head to Main Street Bistro and be sure to get a slice of chocolate pie. The bistro is housed on the main floor of the Wollenmann House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once the home to Dr. Alois Wollenmann, employees believe the house – built back in 1903 – is haunted. Additionally, the ground on which Main Street Bistro sits will soon be home to a 32-foot-tall Christmas Pyramid, tying back to the town’s German roots. It’s set to be unveiled to the public this November and will be one of just a few Christmas Pyramids in the United States.

Lastly, when you’re done exploring the religious grounds of the Monastery Immaculate Conception, pop into St. Benedict’s Brew Works, a brewery located on the east end of the grounds. They’ve got great drinks on tap and some really tasty appetizers, including toasted ravioli bites.

That’s it for small town breakdown No. 33 of 2025. Where should we head next?