Historical Markers in
Tippecanoe County, Indiana

1825 Lafayette 1925 A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Big Four Depot Cairo Skywatch Tower Camp Tippecanoe Centennial Historic District Davis Ferry Earl & Hatcher Block Farmers Institute Academy Fort Ouiatenon General Lafayette - Fountain Granville Highland Park Highland Park Highland Park Neighborhood Iraq War Memorial John Purdue Block John T. Myers Liberty Tree Lincoln in Lafayette Main Street Bridge Margaret Fry Ninth Street Hill Perrin Historic District Post Ouiatenon Site Potawatomi ‘Trail of Death’ Route Prophet’s Rock Prophet’s Town Romney Veterans Memorial Scott's Expedition Site Of First Successful Caesarean In Indiana Site of the Birth Place of Rev. Anthony Foucher Stricken Down in the Performance of Duty Tecumseh Trail The Battle of Tippecanoe The Buddell Sleeper House The Ellsworth Historic District The Forty - Niners The Methodist Camp The Purple Heart Memorial The Red Crown Mini-Museum The Tippecanoe County Courthouse The Wabash River The Wea Plains Tippecanoe Battlefield Memorial Tippecanoe Battleground Tippecanoe County War Memorial Tippecanoe County War Memorial To Commemorate The Wabash and Erie Canal Trail of Death Trail of Death Universal Soil Loss Equation World War I Veterans Memorial "World Split Asunder"
The first public demonstration of the electric light bulb was given by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, New Jersey, but the first practical incandescent light bulb was invented by Lewis Howard Latimer, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, but lived in Indiana for a time. Latimer was also the first African American to be employed as an engineer by the U.S. Patent Office.
Indiana random facts
Tippecanoe County, located in the state of Indiana, has a rich history that can be traced back to the Native American tribes who inhabited the area. The region was originally home to the Miami tribe, who lived along the Wabash River and cultivated the fertile lands of the area. However, conflicts and forced removal led to the displacement of the Miami tribe in the early 19th century.

In 1823, Tippecanoe County was established, named after the Tippecanoe River that runs through the area. The county was part of the vast unsettled wilderness of the Northwest Territory and attracted pioneers looking to make a new start. The area quickly grew as more settlers arrived, drawn by the promise of fertile lands for farming and the potential for commercial development.

One significant event in Tippecanoe County's history is the Battle of Tippecanoe, which took place in 1811 near the town of Battle Ground. This clash between American forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison and Native American confederacy led by Shawnee leader Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, also known as the Prophet, was a pivotal moment in the westward expansion of the United States.

Today, Tippecanoe County is home to Lafayette, a thriving city with a strong industrial and manufacturing base. The county is also known for its educational institutions, including Purdue University, which was established in 1869 and has become one of the leading research universities in the country. Tippecanoe County continues to grow and evolve, blending its rich history with modern amenities and opportunities for its residents.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

  • 1826: Tippecanoe County is founded.
  • 1832: Lafayette, the county seat, is incorporated.
  • 1845: Wabash and Erie Canal reaches Lafayette, boosting economic growth.
  • 1861-1865: Tippecanoe County contributes soldiers to the Union Army during the Civil War.
  • 1876: Purdue University is established in West Lafayette.
  • 1895: John Purdue donates funds to build a new university campus.
  • 1904: The first automobile is registered in Tippecanoe County.
  • 1913: Construction of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in downtown Lafayette begins.
  • 1920: Women in Tippecanoe County gain the right to vote under the 19th Amendment.
  • 1951: The completion of Interstate 65 increases connectivity to the county.
  • 1973: Construction of Tippecanoe County Courthouse begins.
  • 1998: Purdue University wins the Rose Bowl for the first time in school history.