National Register Listing

Indiana State Soldiers Home Historic District

N of Lafayette off IN 43, Lafayette, IN
Local significance of the district:
Landscape Architecture; Art; Military; Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

landscape architecture art military architecture social history
The first successful experimental farm in the United States was established in Indiana in 1862. Known as the Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station, it paved the way for modern agricultural practices.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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.