A historic small town with a big-city flair
Vincennes residents walking along the new 3-mile Riverwalk are surrounded by one thing: history. “You can’t go anywhere in this city without visiting a historic site,” says Cameron Engstrom, a broker at Klein Real Estate. “We like to say we have the second-largest federal monument outside Washington, D.C.” Vincennes is also the first settlement in Indiana, founded by William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President. Harrison then founded Vincennes University, the state's first college, which helped shape the city alongside several historic sites that commemorate the city's long-standing history.
The George Rogers Clark Memorial, arguably the city’s most famous historic site, sits along the Wabash River. The river was once home to settlers who sparked a mussel fishing boom, earning Vincennes the nickname “Pearl City.” Today, residents of Vincennes are often students, workers and faculty at Vincennes University or workers at the Toyota Manufacturing Plant in Princeton, Indiana, located 30 miles south.
Interact at George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, Gregg Park
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Monument, located in the city's southwestern corner, makes Vincennes one of only three communities in Indiana with a national park within its city limits. The park features seven murals, culminating in the statue of George Rogers Clark, one of the highest-ranking officers during the Revolutionary War. Gregg Park, a 40-acre historic park, is home to Rainbow Beach, an 80-year-old swimming facility popular with locals seeking relief from the summer heat.
Catch theater plays at Red Skelton Performing Arts Center, Old Town Players
Residents flock to the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Vincennes University, which hosts monthly plays in its European, opera-style theater. The Old Town Players, a community nonprofit, showcases four to five shows annually. Newcomers can also take guided tours of various historic buildings in Vincennes, from Jefferson Academy—the first school of higher learning in the state—to the Original Territory Building, considered the oldest major government building in the Midwest.
Local events are held at the Highland Woods Community Center on the southern tip of Vincennes, which hosts a fish fry and large seafood boils. “We have this event called ‘Shuck-n-Suck,’ where the community center boils a bunch of crawfish, and it turns into a huge seafood boil,” says Engstrom. “By the end of the night, people are standing on tables still eating the crawfish.”
New sports conference for Lincoln High School
Vincennes Community School Corporation is the city's central public school district. It serves 2,800 prekindergarten through 12th-grade students and has a B-minus rating on Niche. The district oversees nine schools, including Lincoln High School, which is joining a new sports conference, the Western Indiana Conference. Vincennes University, Indiana's first four-year college, is located along the Wabash River near several historic sites.
Single-family homes around Vincennes University
With a population of 16,500, many Vincennes residents live in 20th-century ranch-style and bungalow homes. “There’s a healthy mix of single-family and multi-family homes around the university,” says Kelly Bolhofner, a real estate agent at RE/MAX Revolution. “Given that we are the oldest city in Indiana, the homes here have stood the test of time.” The median home price in Vincennes is $156,000, about four times below the national average. New, modern homes with sprawling backyards typically cost between $200,000 and $300,000.
Hub of local restaurants, retail on Main & Sixth Street
While local restaurants and retail shops are scattered throughout the city, the town’s pulse converges along two main thoroughfares: Main Street and 6th Street. Dogwood Barbecue, on 6th Street, offers locals a complimentary pie with any meal purchase. Pea-Functions, located on Main Street, is a family-owned casual restaurant with a private dining room on its second floor for special events. Big-box retailers such as Walmart Supercenter, Kohl’s, and Lowe’s Home Improvement are also within city limits.
Indiana History Pathways run through Vincennes
Most residents need a car to navigate Vincennes. The historic Indiana History Pathways, which include U.S. Route 50, Highway 150, and the Buffalo Trace Loop, connect on the city’s eastern half. While Vincennes has only one public transportation service—VanGo, a bus service operated by the local YMCA—residents without cars have plenty of bike and walking options, particularly along the 3-mile Riverwalk next to Vincennes University. The well-lit pathway also hosts food trucks every Monday night. Vincennes is about 48 miles from Evansville Regional Airport, which offers nonstop flights to major U.S. cities like Atlanta, Orlando, and Chicago. Good Samaritan Health Pavilion is the area’s major hospital campus.
Low crime and environmental concerns
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Vincennes' violent crime rates have decreased over the past two years. Due to the city's proximity to the Wabash River, residents should expect flood warnings during wet conditions.
