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
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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.
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.
Pop into Tommy B’s Powersports, an authorized E-Z-GO and Kawasaki dealership that specializes in a variety of ATVs, UTVs and golf carts. Whether you’re looking for something to take on a joy ride around town or test at Badlands Off Road Park 15 minutes north of Veedersburg, Tommy B’s is sure to deliver.
History lovers will appreciate the Clover Leaf Route Depot, a historic 1903 railroad depot that reflects Veedersburg’s longstanding connection to rail travel. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. The Veedersburg Scout Cabin, built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, is a popular spot for celebrations.
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During the warmer months, be sure to visit the Veedersburg Community Pool. This is a classic small-town gathering place where families cool off, kids play for hours, and neighbors catch up poolside. If you’re looking for a friendly stroll, the Big 4 Trail is a 1.05-mile paved asphalt trail that runs through town and is perfect for walking and biking. Plus, there’s Hub Park and Sterling Park complete with playgrounds, ball diamonds, and picnic shelters.
Places to Eat or Drink in Veedersburg, Indiana
For an all-day breakfast classic, Old 41 Diner delivers exactly what you want. From hearty plates, including the favorite catfish special and breaded tenderloins, this timeless diner is the perfect spot. It has 4.6 stars on Google with over 150 reviews raving about this local gem.
Suzie Q’s is a beloved drive-up stop known for tenderloin sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, burgers and shakes. It’s perfect for a quick bite with outdoor seating. Another spot for a quick treat is Hershey’s Drive In, serving summer bites like soft serve ice cream, milkshakes and root beer floats.
And while they won’t cook your steak or pork chop, Prime Cut 41 is the local butcher shop to get beef and pork cuts to sizzle at home.
Fountain Central Jr/Sr High School
Just east of city limits sits Fountain Central Jr/Sr High School, serving students from across Fountain County.
The Mustangs compete in the Wabash River Conference, where Fountain Central holds a strong reputation in football. They finished as 1A state runners-up in 1978 to Lawrenceburg and also reached the 1A championship game in 2009 and 2010, losing both contests to Lafayette Central Catholic. They climbed to the top of 1A in 1983, however, defeating Churubusco 12-3 behind first-year head coach Rick Malone. At 25 years, 5 months, and 14 days old on the day of the championship, Malone remains the youngest head coach to win an IHSAA football state title.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 66. Where should we head next?