The History of Boone County and Zionsville, Indiana
Boone County was organized on April 1, 1830, and named for frontiersman Daniel Boone. Jamestown was the original county seat before it was transferred to Lebanon in 1833.
Zionsville was planned on land owned by Elijah and Mary “Polly” Cross. Lebanon businessman William Zion, a director of the Lafayette and Indianapolis Railroad, convinced the Cross family to locate it along the planned railway. Zion proposed that the town be named Marysville in Mary Cross’ honor, but the couple instead asked Zion to lend his name. Zionsville was platted in 1851 and became incorporated in 1866.
As of the 2024 census, Zionsville’s population is 33,161, making it the largest incorporated town/city in Boone County. It is the 33rd-largest city in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Zionsville, Indiana
Downtown Zionsville is walkable and has the perfect blend of shops, boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. Many of these businesses operate out of historic buildings, and the 1911 brick-laid street adds to its character. Throughout the year, The Village hosts tons of events, with its seasonal farmers market from mid-May through September, annual fall festival the weekend after Labor Day weekend, and Christmas in the Village among the most popular.
History buffs will enjoy Maplelawn Farmstead, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history dates back to the 1830s, and in 2003, the land on which the farmstand stands was sold to the town of Zionsville. The Zionsville Historical Society then stepped in to make it what it is today – a museum that provides educational programming and creates experiences to connect people to the rich rural history of the 1930s Great Depression era on an Indiana family farm.
Another cool historic find is Castle Hall, also known as the Zionsville Town Hall. It was built in 1902, remodeled in 1935 to house a movie theater, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Zionsville’s parks and rec system is one of the best in Indiana, and Starkey Nature Park tops the list. Spanning 80 acres, Starkey opened in 1974 offering scenic beauty, hiking trails, and photo ops along Eagle Creek. It connects to the Big-4 Rail Trail, which is the 5-mile spine of Zionsville’s network of over 20 miles of interconnected pathways.
Lincoln Park is just a half-acre park nestled in The Village, but it has historical significance. In 1861, Abraham Lincoln stopped to visit while on his way to Washington, D.C. to be inaugurated to the Presidency of the United States. There’s a gazebo used for summer concerts and weddings, plus a fountain and memorial dedicated to Abraham Lincoln.
Places to Eat and Shop in Zionsville, Indiana
Start your morning at Patachou on Pine, one of nine Café Patachou locations in central Indiana. The Zionsville location was Patachou’s first small-town expansion in 2022. They’re open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Big Dave’s Deli is another gem that the Get Indiana crew had to try when exploring Boone County. We ordered Big Dave’s Breakfast Sandwich that included eggs, ham, bacon, cheese, and hash browns on a sub roll, plus two of their signature hot sandwiches – the Reuben and Eagle Philly Cheesesteak.
For an upscale dining experience, Bowdie’s Chophouse blends high-performance energy with classic chophouse elegance. It’s one of just five across the country and part of the Graham Rahal Campus in Zionsville, making it a go-to spot for race fans and steak lovers.
Another great spot for date night is noah grant’s Grill House & Oyster Bar. Menu highlights include seafood, sushi, burgers, and fresh oysters from both coasts.
For ice cream, The Scoop in downtown Zionsville has you covered with gourmet flavors from Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream by Geist Reservoir.
Zionsville Community High School
The mascot for Zionsville Community High School is the Eagles, and they’ve won 11 IHSAA state championships in school history.
The first two state titles came via the football team with 3A championships in 1987 over Elwood (23-7) and 1996 over Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (14-7). Both wins capped perfect 14-0 seasons. The Eagles added three runner-up finishes in 2000 (3A), 2020 (5A), and 2021 (5A).
Boys golf was next in line, securing state championships in 2002, 2004, and 2024. They are one of 11 programs in the state with at least three boys golf state titles. Girls golf also has a trio of state titles – one of seven high schools with at least three girls golf championships – winning in 2017, 2024, and 2025.
Boys soccer has claimed two state titles, the first when soccer was a single-class sport in Indiana in 2009 and again in 2019 in 3A. Both championships came in the year that followed a runner-up state finish.
Girls cross country won the 2017 title, as well.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 53. Where should we head next?
