Small Town Breakdown No. 66: Veedersburg, Indiana
For this week’s small town breakdown we’re going from Hagerstown in Wayne County to Veedersburg in Fountain County. Veedersburg is one hour and 10 minutes northwest of Indianapolis, one hour north of Terre Haute, and 45 minutes southwest of Lafayette.
What’s it like in Veedersburg, Indiana?
Veedersburg, Indiana is home of the brick yard that manufactured the bricks laid at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909, local dining spots and nearby attractions for everyone to explore.
The History of Fountain County and Veedersburg, Indiana
Fountain County was founded as Indiana’s 53rd county in 1826, with its northern and western borders shaped by the Wabash River. It was formed from parts of Wabash and Montgomery counties. It was named after Major James Fontaine of Kentucky, who was killed in 1790 in the Northwest Indian War.
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Veedersburgh, originally spelled with an ‘h’ at the end, was laid out by Peter S. Veeder, Christopher Keeling and W.L.D Cochran in 1871 in the center of Fountain County, and it became known as the “Hub of Fountain County” with two railways intersecting in town. The ‘h’ held until December 1893 when it was removed from the town’s name.
By 1909, Veedersburg had over 1,700 residents thanks to brickyard employment. The Wabash Clay Company (Culver Blocks & The Veedersburg Paver) was contracted to supply 3.2 million bricks for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Because of the large number of bricks and short time to deliver, four additional brickyards were subcontracted to fill approximately 10% of the contract.
As of the 2024 census, Veedersburg’s population is 2,096, making it the third-largest incorporated town/city in Fountain County behind Attica (3,247) and Covington (2,751). It is the 230th-largest town in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Veedersburg, Indiana
For a town of just over 2,000 people, Veedersburg offers a surprisingly wide range of activities for those who enjoy the outdoors, history, and hands-on hobbies.