Small Town Breakdown No. 67: Oldenburg, Indiana
For this week’s small town breakdown we’re going from Veedersburg in Fountain County to Oldenburg in Franklin County. Oldenburg is 45 minutes west of Cincinnati, 1 hour and 10 minutes southeast of Indianapolis, 1 hour and 45 minutes east of Bloomington, and 2 hours and 45 minutes south of Fort Wayne.
What’s it like in Oldenburg, Indiana?
Known as the “Villages of Spires,” Oldenburg offers deep history, locally owned shops, and Midwest charm.
The History of Franklin County and Oldenburg, Indiana
Franklin County was formed in 1811 from parts of Dearborn, Clark and Jefferson counties. It was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
Stay IN the know.
The best of Indiana, weekly.The best of Indiana in your inbox every week.
Oldenburg began its settlement in 1817 when Catholic German immigrants migrated west from the Cincinnati area. It was officially platted in 1837 and became incorporated in 1869. German priest, Father Francis Joseph Rudolf, arrived in 1844, and in 1851, Sister Theresa Hackelmeier established what would become the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg and Oldenburg Academy. Alongside Holy Family Church, the Sisters of St. Francis played a critical role in shaping the town’s identity, founding schools, educating children, and creating a lasting spiritual presence. The town became known as the “Village of Spires” because of its many steeples.
Fun fact: Marian University in Indianapolis grew out of the vision of Sister Hackelmeier and the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg. The school, established in 1851, became Marian College in 1936, moved to Indianapolis in 1937, and became Marian University in 2009.
As of the 2024 census, Oldenburg’s population is 647, making it the second-largest incorporated town/city in Franklin County behind the county seat of Brookville (2,655). It is the 409th-largest town in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Oldenburg, Indiana
Festivals are a huge part of Oldenburg’s community. The most well‑known is Freudenfest, which began in 1976 as a simple community “day of fun” and has grown into the “Biggest Little German Festival” in Indiana. It features traditional music and dancing, authentic German food and “locally world famous” Sauerkraut Balls, Dachshund races, family‑friendly games, and more. It’s free to attend and is set for July 17–18, 2026.
The Oldenburg Summer Bash in late June, Holy Family Church Festival in the fall, and Holidays Under the Spires in December are other festivals of note.
If you’ve got kids, Gilbert Munchel Memorial Park is the spot for them to run off some energy. The park is located at the former site of the Gehring Brickyard, established in 1858 by Beatus Gehring. The brickyard was crucial to the town’s development, producing bricks for homes, sidewalks, commercial structures, and religious buildings that stand today.
Shoppers will enjoy downtown Oldenburg, home to countless small, local businesses. Carriage House Antiques lives in a historic 1850s building that was once a tavern. Inside, you’ll find tons of vintage finds from furniture to rare books to vases. They even serve Sister Cleo’s homemade ice cream, with a new flavor featured each month.
For unique gifts like German dirndls and lederhosen, visit Golden Turtle Trading Center. This storefront was Oldenburg’s original general store and post office from 1861–64.
If you’re looking for some local creativity, don’t miss the Schwestern Gallery of Arts. Schwestern, German for “sisters”, is a family-run gallery founded in 2002. Owner Mary Beth Kurker showcases fine art and homemade gifts like pottery, metal sculpture, milk soaps, ornaments and more. This space is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Stay IN the know.
The best of Indiana, weekly.The best of Indiana in your inbox every week.
And be sure to stop by The Village Store, an old-fashioned butcher shop with cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and homemade sausages. They’ve also got fresh produce, bulk candy, and more.
Places to Eat or Drink in Oldenburg, Indiana
For lunch or dinner, you can’t visit Oldenburg without stopping at the family-owned Brau Haus, which opened in 1975. Dive into some world-famous fried chicken and authentic German dishes like schnitzel, bratwurst, potato pancakes, and sauerkraut balls. Brau Haus has a 4.5-star rating on Google and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Just down the street is Wagner’s Village, a great dinner option for families open all week long. Founded in 1968, this spot is known for its cast-iron pan-fried chicken and other homestyle cooking. In 2023, Wagner’s Village was a recipient of the America’s Classics Award by the James Beard Foundation.
And don’t skip out on Pearl Street Pub, formerly Kings Tavern, open Wednesday thru Saturday. Its menu features favorites like tenderloins, smash burgers, and sweet potato fries. It has 4.7 stars backed by nearly 300 Google reviews.
Oldenburg Academy and High School Sports
Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception is a private, co-ed Catholic high school in Oldenburg. It was originally founded by Sister Theresa Hackelmeier and the Sisters of St. Francis as an all-girls boarding school in the early 1850s and didn’t become co-ed in 2000. Values like service and faith are woven into daily life at the academy.
The Oldenburg Twisters have experienced the most success in girls tennis, winning a semi-state title in 2022 and nine regional championships from 2010–12, 2015–19, and in 2022. Boys soccer is next in line with back-to-back regional titles in 2013–14 along with eight sectional titles in 2002, 2013–14, 2016, and 2022–25.
Sectional titles have become the norm for girls soccer recently, too, winning seven times (2015, 2017–20, 2024–25). Baseball has also racked up five sectional titles (2003–05, 2010, 2021), and both boys and girls basketball have three (boys, 1A: 2014, 2020, 2024; girls: 1997; girls, 1A: 2006, 2025).
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 67. Where should we head next?
