Kirklin is an Indiana town of less than 1,000 people, but it hits above its weight class with a bustling Main Street full of shops and some of the best baked goods in the Hoosier State.
Small Town Breakdown No. 71: Kirklin, Indiana
For this week's small town breakdown we're going from the county seat of Monticello in White County to Kirklin in Clinton County. Kirklin is 45 minutes north of downtown Indianapolis, 45 minutes southeast of Lafayette, and one hour and 15 minutes west of Muncie.
The History of Clinton County and Kirklin, Indiana
Clinton County was established on March 1, 1830, from eastern parts of Tippecanoe County. It was named in honor of DeWitt Clinton, the sixth Governor of New York and known as the “Father of the Erie Canal.” He was the driving force behind the canal that connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic and led a wave of settlers to the Upper Midwest.
Kirklin was organized in 1837 and named after Nathan Kirk, the first permanent settler in the eastern half of Clinton County. He moved to the county in 1826 and was its only resident until 1829, with his cabin serving as a stopping point for travelers and hunters. Two roads called New Castle Road (State Road 38) and Michigan Road (U.S. Highway 421) intersected in Kirklin Township, and that eventually became the site of the town Kirklin. Kirk opened a tavern at the intersection along with a small mill near Sugar Creek. Kirklin became incorporated in 1876. The Monon Railroad came through town in the 1880s and helped boost the local economy.
As of 2024, Kirklin's population was 710, making it the 370th-largest city in Indiana and the fourth-largest in Clinton County behind the seat of Frankfort (16,459), Rossville (1,513), and Mulberry (1,222).
Things to Do In or Near Kirklin, Indiana
The Kirklin Public Library is Kirklin's most prominent early twentieth century building. It was completed in 1915 thanks to a grant from the Carnegie Foundation and became listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
The second Saturdays in June (art show), August (car show), and October (Oktoberfest) are can't-miss events that feature dozens of vendors and a good time.
Shoppers have no shortage of places to explore on Main Street in Kirklin, including Ten Thousand Treasures (open Saturday and Sunday), Antique Cellar (open Friday thru Sunday), Fireside Primitives (open Friday thru Sunday), and White Lion Antiques & Collectibles.
Places to Eat or Drink in Kirklin, Indiana
There are two options if you're looking to grab a morning bite and coffee in town, and they make Kirklin the unofficial “Baked Goods Capital of Indiana.”
Rise & Brew Coffee Co. serves up delicious bagels, cinnamon rolls, muffins, cheesecake cups, and your favorite morning beverages, and they've got a 4.9-star rating on Google. Nate tried a bagel with cream cheese and an iced coffee and loved both. They're open Tuesday thru Sunday into the early afternoon.
The other breakfast spot is Baked, established in 2020 as Baked: A Cookie Company. It started with oatmeal cookies for a disc golf league and has evolved into a full-blown bakery with fresh baked bread, sourdough, jams, and pastries. Some of the favorites include Swedish cardamom bread, jalapeño cheddar bread (#1 seller on Saturday), and scones. It's open Tuesday thru Saturday and has 5.0 stars on Google.
Bookers Bar & Grill is the place to grab lunch or dinner. Start with their breaded mushrooms, then dive into a breaded tenderloin sandwich or if it's Friday, all-you-can-eat fish. The bar in Bookers is unique because it once served as the bench for Kathy Smith, who was a judge in Clinton County for 26 years. They've got 4.6 stars on Google and nearly 700 reviews.
And whiskey lovers need to swing by Travelers Point Distillery, established in 2019. It's locally owned as a grain-to-glass distillery, and visitors can enjoy their tasting room on Main Street Tuesday thru Saturday.
High School History
Clinton Central High School in nearby Michigantown serves the Kirklin community. The Bulldogs have never won an IHSAA state championship, but girls basketball won regional titles in 1985, 1997, and 2024, volleyball won regional championships in 2004 and 2005, boys basketball won a regional in 1980, and football won a 1A regional in 2009.
That's it for small town breakdown No. 71. Where should we head next?
