In 2025 we are highlighting 52 small towns across the state of Indiana in 52 weeks. For our 21st small town breakdown of the year, we’re headed from the county seat of Bloomfield in Greene County to the county seat of Winamac in Pulaski County. Winamac is 2 hours north of Indianapolis, 1 hour and 45 minutes west of Fort Wayne, and 2 hours southeast of downtown Chicago.
The History of Pulaski County and Winamac, Indiana
Pulaski County was formed in 1835 from Cass and St. Joseph counties and was named for Revolutionary War hero Count Casimir Pulaski. It was formally organized as Indiana’s 87th of 92 counties in May 1839 when five men from nearby White, Carroll and Cass counties met with John Pearson in his log cabin. Pearson was the founding father of Pulaski County and Winamac’s first entrepreneur, where he owned a sawmill, tavern and general store. Winamac was selected as the county seat and became incorporated in 1868. It was named after a Potawatomi Indian Chief who lived in the area in the early 1800s, and it is also derived from the Potawatomi word for “catfish,” which are found abundantly in the Tippecanoe River.
As of the 2023 census Winamac’s population was 2,287, making it the largest of five towns in Pulaski County. Winamac is located within Monroe Township and is the 201st largest city in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Winamac, Indiana
Tippecanoe River State Park welcomes canoers and kayakers to the river and 23 miles of trails to thousands of hikers annually. You can also go horseback riding on 14 miles of the trails. Outdoor enthusiasts can set up shop at one of its many RV campsites, camper cabins or areas to pitch a tent. There are many historic structures in the park as well, most notably a 90-foot fire tower that gives visitors a panoramic view.
Speaking of the Tippecanoe River, Riverside Rentals is your one-stop shop for canoe, kayak and tubing rentals. The tubing float is 3.5 miles long while the canoe/kayak trip is between 6-7 miles in length, both taking 3-4 hours to complete depending on the river flow. They’ve got nearly 500 reviews and a 4.8-star rating on Google.
Sticking with the outdoors, the Panhandle Pathway is 22 miles long and runs through Pulaski and Cass counties at the beginning of the Wabash Valley and across the Tippecanoe River. The rail-trail follows the historic path of the Pennsylvania Railroad and offers views of farmland and a prairie preserve for walkers, runners, hikers, bikers and skaters throughout the year.
Another popular place to enjoy the outdoors is Winamac Town Park, home to a playground, walking trail, basketball court, volleyball courts, tennis courts, softball and baseball diamonds, and shelters available for rent. The local 4-H Fair is held there every July. The park is also home to a suspension bridge over the Tippecanoe River called “Memorial Swinging Bridge” that was dedicated on July 4, 1923, honoring soldiers and sailors from Pulaski County from the Civil War onward.
Moving indoors, the historic single-screen Isis Theater opened in 1936 and is a treat for locals and visitors alike to catch the latest flick. Its 2025 Free Family Film Festival began this Wednesday with Kung Fu Panda 4 and continues with IF (June 11), The Garfield Movie (June 18), Despicable Me 4 (June 25), Harold and the Purple Crayon (July 2), The Wild Robot (July 9) and Sonic 3 (July 23). Showtimes are 10 a.m. and admission is free to all.
Places to Eat in Winamac, Indiana
Indiana is known for having the biggest and best breaded pork tenderloins in the country, and One Eyed Jack’s backs that notion. Its 12-ounce Jumbo Tenderloin makes a single bun look small, which is why you should go with the Deuce Tenderloin that comes to two buns, allowing you to share the flavor with your special someone. Few things are more romantic than devouring a massive pork tenderloin sandwich together! Menu highlights also include the wings, fried whitefish and bluegill, smashburgers, tots and tenderloin bites, which can be compared to boneless chicken wings or tenders except with pork tenderloin inside.
Located southwest of town on the banks of the Tippecanoe River in the unincorporated rural village of Pulaski but still with a Winamac address is Bill and Babes, Indiana’s oldest family-owned tavern that originally opened in 1954. The 21-and-older, cash-only establishment has fresh seafood flown in weekly from Boston, including cod, oysters, clam strips, whole belly clams, shrimp, Haddock and lobster rolls. Visitors also rave about the broasted pork chops, broasted chicken, all-you-can-eat bluegill and, saving the best for last… frog legs.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 21 of 2025. Where should we head next?
