Columbus, Indiana - architectural mecca of the midwest

Columbus, Indiana is 41 miles south of Indianapolis and 32 miles east of Bloomington with a population of approximately 39,000 residents during the last census (2000).  The area now known as Columbus was purchased by Luke Bonesteel and General John Tipton in 1820.  It was first named Tiptonia in honor of the general.  The present name of Columbus was given to the city in March of 1821.  It was incorporated as a city in June of 1864.  The first railroad crossed through the area in 1844, which helped the community to grow rapidly.

Columbus is most famous for its art and architecture.  In 2008, National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations ranked Columbus 11th out of 109 historic destinations WORLDWIDE, higher than any other U.S. destination.

The city is also ranked 6th in the NATION for architecctural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architecture.  Other cities in that list include Chicago, NY, San Fran, Boston and D.C - so it is in very elite company!

Geero Saarinen, the architect of the arch in St. Louis and the glass pyramids at the Louvre, designed the Columbus library.

Travel writer Jordan Simon listed Columbus, Indiana among his Top 10 Things to See in the U.S. Before You Die alongside Charleston, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone.

The city created their own top things to see:
1.  Two original works by Dale Chihuly
2.  Covered bridge in park setting
3.  Beer and wine tasting
4.  Blue herons at Flatrock River
5.  Indiana's largest antique mall
6.  Drink a Green River at Zaharakos
7.  Take a guided tour via your cell phone

Get in touch with your artistic side in Columbus!!!

http://www.columbus.in.us/

Muncie, Indiana - the quintessential American City

Muncie is a city of approximately 67,000 (during last census in 2000 - so expect a big increase shortly!) and is located about 58 miles NE of Indianapolis.  The area was first settled in the 1770's by the Delaware Indians and the city name comes from the word "munsee" meaning a member of the Delaware tribe.

Muncie offers many of the advantages of a larger city without the cost and congestion associated with major metropolitan areas.  Muncie is the county seat for Delaware County and was incorporated in 1865.  Drawn to the region during the Indiana Gas Boom of the 1880's many factories sprang up such as Ball Corporation, Delco Remy, Westinghouse, Indiana Steel & Wire, GM, Warner Gear and Broderick.  However, most of these factories closed during a tumultous period for the city from the late 1980's and the late 1990's.  As of 2006, the only survivor of the list was Borg Warner (Warner Gear).

Like many cities in the Rust Belt, Muncie has had to economically reinvent itself.  Their current economic backbone is in health care, education, retial and other service industries.  The largest employers currently include Ball Memorial Hopital, Ball State University, Muncie Schools, The City of Muncie, Sallie Mae, Wal-mart and The Youth Opportunity Center.  In June of 2004 Money Magazine ranked Muncie in its top 5 "up and coming" mid-sized cities.

Muncie is home to Ball State University, a premier institution of higher learning named for local industrialists. It is known for architecture, entrepreneurship, journalism and business programs.  Its most illustrious alumni include Jim Davis (creator of Garfield) and David Letterman.

Muncie is also home to many unique attractions such as Oakhurst Gardens, Miinetrista Cultural Center, Moore-Youse Historical Museum, National Model Aviation Museum and The Muncie Symphony.

Since 1929, Muncie has been the subject of a series of "Middletown" studies started by sociologists, earning them the reputation as the typical American city or Americas Hometown.

http://www.cityofmuncie.com/

County by County Housing Comparison Stats

Here are some interesting housing stats for the greater Indianapolis Metropolitan Area by County

Comparing February 2009 to February 2010 by county

Boone County
35% decline in number of homes sold
65% increase in the average sales price of homes sold
58% increase in the number of days on market to get home sold
13% decline in number of new construction permits

Hamilton County
Stagnant number of homes sold
6% increase in average sales price of homes sold
7% decline in days on market to get homes sold
55% increase in new construction permits

Hancock County
24% increase in number of homes sold
4% increase in average sales price
18% increase in days on market to get homes sold
55% increase in new construction permits

Hendricks County
8% decline in number of homes sold
1% increase in average sales price
15% decline in days on market to get homes sold
111% increase in new construction permits

Johnson County
3% increase in number of homes sold
12% decline in average sales price
30% decline in days on market to get homes sold
155% increase in new construction permits

Madison County
Stagnant number of homes sold
17% increase in average sales price
13% decline in days on market to get homes sold
25% increase in new construction permits

Marion County
7% decline in number of homes sold
26% increase in average sales price
10% decline in days on market to get homes sold
26% increase in new construction permits

Morgan County
32% decline in number of homes sold
28% increase in average sales price
24% decline in days on market to get homes sold
100% decline in new construction permits (from 5 to 0)

Shelby County
70% increase in number of homes sold
51% increase in average sales price
1% decline in days on market to get homes sold
600% increase in new construction permits (from 0 to 6)

Statistics provided by Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis

Shelbyville, Indiana - Pride in Progress

Shelbyville is located 26 miles SE of Indianapolis at the fork of the Little Blue and Big Blue Rivers.

Shelbyville was part of the "New Purchase", which the Delaware and other tribes of Indians ceded by treaty to the U.S. on October 3, 1818.  Jacob Whetzel (who is buried in the City Cemetery) obtained permission from his Indian friend, Chief Anderson, to mark a wagon path through the forest from Franklin County in eastern Indiana to the "Bluffs" on White River, south of present day Indianapolis. Within a week after the treaty was concluded, Whetzel and a few friends began to blaze this road, know ever since as the "Whetzel Trace."

In 1820 the New Purchase was formally opened for settlement and most ot the rich farmland was speedily claimed by purchasers at the Brookville Government Land Office.  The next year, the State Legislature (which was then located at Corydon) authorized the organization of Shelby County and the establishment of a county capital.  The name Shelby was assigned in honor of Isaac Shelby, twice the governor of Kentucky and a famous Indian War soldier under whose leadership many of the settlers had served before emigrating to Indiana.  Shelbyville was chosed as the county seat on July 4, 1822 at a giant barbecue northeast of the present Fairgrounds.

The first house in Shelbyville was built by Francis Walker on the lot at the NW corner of Washington and Tompkins Streets.

On July 4, 1834, Judge William Peasley, a local RR enthusiast built the first RR this side of the Allegheny Mountains. It was experimental, being horse drawn, and ran on wooden tracks for only 1.24 miles from town to a picnic area.  It was soon abandoned.  Today the Penn Central RR serves Shelbyville.

Shelbyville was incorporated January 21, 1850 and at the last census in 2000 reported a population of 17,951.  Sunset Park, Kennedy Park, Blue River Park, Morrison Park, Sunrise Park, Clearwick Park, Pioneer Park, Sunset Park and Roger Shaw Memorial Park are all popular relaxation spots in and around Shelbyville.  You should also check out the Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center, the Grover Museum and the Greenburg Reservoir State Fishing Area.

Shelbyville has been home to many notable folks throughout the years such as:
Sandy Allen, world's tallest woman
Thomas Hendricks, the 21st VP of the U.S. under Grover Cleveland
Edna Parker the oldest living person until her death on 11/26/2008
Wilbur Shaw, 3 time Indianapolis 500 winner

Shelbyville has easy access to I-74 which can take you quickly east or west and SR 9 which runs north and south. 

http://www.cityofshelbyvillein.com/

Indy 500 Festival Events - Embrace the Pace!!!!

The month of May will be upon us soon - and with that comes what put Indianapolis on the map - The Indianapolis 500 Indy Car race at the Motor Speedway.  Even if you are not a race fan, there are lots of events leading up to the race that are diverse and family friendly.

May 3rd - Festival Kick-Off from noon - 1:30pm with live music, free food and pace cars

May 6-7 - Mini-Marathon Expo Shop for the latest in running apparel - open to the public

May 8th - OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon starting at 7:30am.  13.1 miles of sheer fun!!!
UPDATE (4/9/10) - RACE PARTICIPATION IS FULL

May8th - Finish Line 500 Festival 5K starting at 7am

May 22nd - Breakfast at the Brickyard starting at 9am - visit garages, hear from racing legends, pole day activities and full day of racing

May 23rd - Chase Kids Day from noon - 4pm - Largest free children's festival

May 23rd - Chase Rookie Run starting at 1pm for the smallest runners with the biggest hearts

May 26th - American Family Insurance Community Day from 9am - 6pm - drive your car around the track, get drivers autographs

May 28th - Rolls-Royce Memorial Service at noon - Honor our fallen heroes.

May 29th - Costumed Character Breakfast from 9am - 11am - Meet the Powerpuff Girls and Fred and Wilma Flintstone over a yummy breakfast

May 29th - IPL Festival Parade starts at noon.  A national spectacle

May 29th - Regions Snakepit Ball by Cindy & Paul Skjodt starts at 6pm. Groove to The Pointer Sisters at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

May 30th - The Indianapolis 500 starts at 1pm - tickets available at brickyard.com

You can also participate in the Princess program, the intern program, the education program, the volunteer program.

Check out their website for more details and information   http://www.500festival.com/

See you at the checkered flag!!!!