Tell City is a small town on the Ohio River in Perry County, southwest Indiana, about three hours south of Indianapolis. Founded in 1857 by Swiss-German immigrants and named after Swiss hero William Tell, the town of 7,485 is the county seat and known for its annual Schweizer Fest, the Tell City River Walk along the Ohio, and a long line of basketball Hall of Famers from Tell City High School.
Small Town Breakdown No. 27: Tell City, Indiana
As part of our 2025 series highlighting 52 small towns across Indiana, our 27th breakdown takes us from Mitchell in Lawrence County to Tell City on the Ohio River in Perry County, deep in southwest Indiana. Tell City is 3 hours south of Indianapolis, 1 hour and 10 minutes east of Evansville, and 1 hour and 15 minutes west of Louisville.
The History of Perry County and Tell City, Indiana
Perry County was formed on Nov. 1, 1814, two years prior to Indiana being admitted to the Union. It was named for War of 1812 hero Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. Troy was selected as the first county seat, then Rome and Cannelton, and lastly Tell City, where the seat was moved in 1994. Over 60,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest sit within Perry County's borders.
Tell City was organized by Swiss-German immigrants who held a meeting in Cincinnati in November 1856. They met to organize a "Swiss Colonization Society" and purchased land that had a healthful climate, fertile soil, water, timber, and close proximity to a river and railroad. The land purchase was made in July 1857.
The city was initially called Helvetia but was renamed to Tell City for Swiss hero and liberator William Tell, whose bronze statue sits in the city hall plaza. For more on Indiana's deep immigration history, browse our Indiana history coverage.
Stay IN the know.
The best of Indiana, weekly.The best of Indiana in your inbox every week.
As of the 2023 census, Tell City's population was 7,485, making it the largest of two incorporated cities in Perry County, ahead of Cannelton (1,494). Tell City is the 97th-largest city in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Tell City, Indiana
The annual Schweizer Fest has been an ongoing tradition in Tell City since 1959. During the festival the town is packed with polka, artisan and food vendors, carnival rides, a half pot drawing, talent show, pie eating contest, bed races, and sidewalk sales throughout downtown. The 2026 Schweizer Fest is scheduled for August 5-8.
Visit the Tell City Depot Visitor Center for local history, artisan items, and a farmer’s market. There is plenty of history to be found at the Tell City Historical Society Museum and Tell City Chair Gallery & Museum.
Hop on the scenic Tell City River Walk Trail for a 2-mile roundtrip stroll along the Ohio River or the 1.3-mile out-and-back Windy Creek Trail that runs near Windy Creek. Hagedorn (Hagee) Park is another popular spot for recreational activities, including the town’s swimming pool, an indoor batting cage, softball fields, a half-dozen tennis courts, two basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground.
Over 60,000 of the 204,000-acre Hoosier National Forest is in Perry County as well, leaving plenty of room to explore the great outdoors for hiking, biking, picnics and camping. While you're in the region, plan a longer southwest Indiana trip with stops at nearby Santa Claus, Holiday World, and the Dubois County travel guide just to the north.
Places to Eat or Grab a Drink in Tell City, Indiana
Julie’s Tell Street Café serves up some of the best breakfast and lunch in town, and the Google reviews rave about the biscuits and gravy, Julie’s pies, and incredible service. They’ve got 4.6 stars among over 600 Google reviews.
Saving the best for last (in our opinion), The Pour Haus Brewing Co. is the go-to spot to grab a drink, enjoy some delicious bar grub (we had the pretzel bites) and mingle with family or friends.
Tell City High School Hoops Produces Hall of Famers
Ray Eddy
Ray Eddy coached at Tell City High School from 1934-39 and won three sectional titles. He then went on to coach at Madison High School from 1939-50 – winning an IHSAA title in his last high school season – before moving onto Purdue University where he was the head coach for 15 years.
Eddy was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
Stay IN the know.
The best of Indiana, weekly.The best of Indiana in your inbox every week.
Burke Scott
Burke Scott played at Tell City High School before staying in-state at Indiana University from 1952-55, helping guide the Hoosiers to the 1953 NCAA title.
Scott was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Tommy Kron
Tommy Kron played at Tell City High School from 1958-62 and led the Marksmen to four sectional titles, three regional titles, and a semifinal appearance during his junior campaign.
Kron then attended the University of Kentucky under Hall of Fame coach Adolph Rupp from 1963-66 and helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Championship Game his senior year against Texas Western College, today known as the University of Texas at El Paso. The Wildcats came up short in a 72-65 loss, but the game was notable because Texas Western started five Black players, making them the first team to do so in a championship game.
He was a third-round selection by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1966 NBA Draft and moved to the Seattle Supersonics in the 1967 NBA expansion draft. He spent two years there before joining the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels, where he was a fan favorite during the 1969 and 1970 seasons.
Kron was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Bob Lochmueller
Bob Lochmueller coached 15 seasons at Tell City High School from 1965-80 and guided the Marksmen to nine consecutive sectional championships and two regional titles. During his playing days, he was a three-year starter at the University of Louisville and helped lead the Cardinals to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1951.
Lochmueller was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
That's a wrap on No. 27
Where should we head next? Browse more small towns across Indiana, check out our list of historic Indiana towns worth visiting, or sign up for the Get Indiana newsletter for new Small Town Breakdowns every week.
