Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.
What do you consider the key accomplishment(s) of your county’s bicentennial celebration?
What Legacy Project do you most like to tell people about, and why?
Describe a highlight or most memorable moment related to your county's bicentennial celebration.
How/where are you preserving information and artifacts related to your county's celebration?
Total number of volunteers who participated.
Estimated total attendance.
Estimated dollar amount raised.
Estimated dollar amount spent.
Knox County was one of two original counties created in the old Northwest Territory in 1790. It was named for Major General Henry Knox, U.S. Secretary of War.
When it was created, Knox County extended to Canada and encompassed all or part of the present states of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. The county was reduced to its present size in 1817.
Vincennes: Pearl City
A little known fact is that during the early 1900s the Wabash and the city of Vincennes in particular was a center of pearling activity. Mussels in the river were gathered in huge quantities to be used in the manufacture of buttons from the shells. Finding pearls in the mussels set off an unprecedented rush of activity. Most were imperfect and of little value but occasionally pearls in the $700 to $4,000 class were found.
In the spring, Vincennes hosts the Rendezvous, sponsored annually by the Spirit of Vincennes, Inc. A Hoosier collaboration: Since the late 1970s, the citizens of Vincennes, IN; the reenactors of the Northwest Territory Alliance; and the employees of the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park have collaborated to present this distinguished 18th century historical gathering. The event’s popularity is such that it attracts 400 to 500 reenactors along with an estimated 35,000 visitors.
The re-creation of Revolutionary War battles takes place upon the French Commons. The commons, quite fittingly, is located adjacent to the George Rogers Clark NHP. This park includes the Clark Memorial, a Greek style monument that stands upon the revered spot at which the British surrendered Fort Sackville.
Comedian Red Skelton, who created such characters as Clem Kadiddlehopper, and Freddie the Freeloader, was born in Vincennes.
The Indiana Gazette Indiana’s first newspaper was published in Vincennes in 1804.
Explorers Lewis and Clark set out from Fort Vincennes on their exploration of the Northwest Territory.
County Seat: Vincennes
Year Organized: 1790
Square Miles: 516.03