A small-town atmosphere and easy access to Danville in Covington
Covington is a small city known for its quiet streets, along the eastern banks of the Wabash River, less than 15 miles from Danville. The seat of Fountain County, Covington is a rural bedroom community with easy access to the interstate and downtown Danville. “It’s a small town and a safe community,” says Linda Knecht, the Covington City clerk and treasurer. “I’ve lived here my entire life, and I don’t plan on leaving. I decided to stay here to raise my kids because we have a great, community oriented atmosphere, and I loved growing up here.”
A golf-course community with tree-lined streets and spacious lots
Bungalows, Victorian revivals and farmhouses sit on quiet streets lined with mature maple and oak trees. Most of the area’s homes were built between the 1950s and early 2000s, with spacious lots ranging from 10,000 square feet to an acre. Some builds surrounding the center of town date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while 2020s builds sit on the south side of town near the Rivercrest Golf Club. “Covington is a golf cart community,” Knecht says. “As long as you have a permit, you can drive your golf cart on all of the roads in the city.” Houses range from $110,000 to $390,000, with those on the upper end of the market featuring more square footage and modern upgrades.
Dual enrollment offerings and community programs at the public library
The area’s public schools are within a mile of all of the community’s homes, starting with Covington Elementary School, which earns a B overall grade from Niche. Covington Middle School receives a B-plus. The B-rated Covington Community High School partners with Indiana Public College for its dual enrollment courses. The Covington Public Library hosts community programs like weekly story times and a monthly teen art club.
Walking trails and access to the Wabash River
Covington City Park has picnic tables, a large playground, a community pool and facilities for soccer, baseball and sand volleyball. The paved Covington Circle Trail intersects the park and winds for over 5 miles along the outskirts of town. The Rivercrest Golf Club has a public, 18-hole course and hosts high school practices and local league tournaments. On the west side of town, Five Crossings Park borders the Wabash River with picnic areas and a paved boat ramp.
Local businesses in Historic Downtown Covington
Historic storefronts surround the Fountain County Courthouse in downtown Covington, with businesses ranging from antique shops to cafes. Juli’s Java offers specialty lattes, smoothies and baked goods. Around the corner, Windy Ridge Winery & Distillery has locally made wine, beer and whiskey that can be enjoyed alongside wood fired pizza, with regular live music and karaoke nights. For something sweet, Sundae Shoppe serves hand-scooped ice cream, milkshakes and floats. Nearby, House with the Lions Antiques sells vintage furniture and decor. The Covington County Market sits a block from downtown and is the go-to spot for groceries. The nearby town of Danville has a wider selection of supermarkets, including Walmart, ALDI and Save a Lot.
The annual Apple Fest and an alumni weekend
On the last weekend of September, the historic downtown district hosts the annual Covington Apple Fest, where locals gather in the town square for a pancake breakfast, food and art vendors, live music and an antique tractor show. “We also have an Alumni weekend every summer,” says Knecht. “People come together to meet up with their old school friends, and the weekend ends with a street fair.”
Traveling to nearby communities on I-74
Interstate 74 lies just south of town and can take drivers about 13 miles west to south Danville or around 80 miles southeast to Indianapolis. The Purdue University Airport is roughly 40 miles away in Lafayette and has a limited offering of commercial flights.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
