The following trivia on Hamilton County,
which contains Indianapolis and surrounding cities, is reproduced with permission
from the Hamilton County, Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- Since the 1990 census, the population of Hamilton
County has grown at a rate of 35%, the highest county growth rate in the
state and the second fastest growing county in the nation.
- Hamilton County residents have some of the highest
salaries in the nation. It ranks eighth in average adjusted gross income
at $65,795, just behind Lake Co. in Illinois, Westchester Co. in New York
and Hunterdon Co. in New Jersey.
- Hamilton County was named by The Wall Street Journal
as one of America's "20 Hottest White Collar Addresses."
- With its Quaker abolitionist population, Westfield,
Indiana served as a station in the pre-Civil War underground railroad.
- William Conner who was a fur trader, Indian scout
and early Indiana statesman built a home which is now the centerpiece
of Conner Prairie, a nationally-acclaimed living history museum. The Conner
home was the site of the 1820 vote to move the state capital to Indianapolis.
Conner Prairie consistently ranks as a top family tourist attraction.
U.S. News & World Report rated it the best living history museum in the
nation. The August 1994 issue of Midwest Living named Conner Prairie a
"Best of the Midwest Historical Site."
- In 1923 Carmel, Indiana installed the first electric
traffic light in the United States.
- Atkins, local makers of fine desserts, serves
their cheesecakes aboard Air Force One. Former President Bush's favorite
flavor was reported to be Triple Chocolate; President Clinton's favorite
is St. Honore.
- Noted travel expert Arthur Frommer says Hamilton
County's "Frederick-Talbott Inn is one of the great bed & breakfasts in
America."
- Illusions Restaurant is one of only three magically-themed
restaurants in the U.S. David Copperfield appears here occasionally to
scout out the team of talented magicians.
- Roberts Settlement, located in Hamilton County,
includes a church and graveyard from the Civil War era and was one of
the first African-American settlements in the Midwest. Descendents still
hold reunions here every year.
- David Letterman's mom, Dorothy, is a resident
of Hamilton County. She frequently holds book signings of her cookbook
at area festivals and stores to raise money for philanthropic causes.
- Basketball legend Larry Bird resides in Carmel,
Indiana while coaching the Indiana Pacers' team during basketball season.
- Classic Kitchen in Noblesville is the only Indiana
restaurant owned by a certified culinary professional.
- Bundy Decoy, located in Noblesville, Indiana,
ships its hand-crafted duck decoys all over the world, including Japan,
Norway, England, and Italy.
- Country music star, Steve Wariner, is a native
of Noblesville. The 1972 graduate of Noblesville High School was playing
at a bar in Indianapolis when Dottie West noticed him and took him along
on her tour. Since then Wariner has racked up around a dozen No. 1 hits.
- Three Indycar drivers call Hamilton County home:
Scott Goodyear, Carmel dentist Dr. Jack Miller, and Stefan Gregoire.
- Hamilton County's Crooked Stick Golf Course hosted
the 1991 PGA championships and the 1993 U.S. Women's Open golf tournament.
Prairie View Golf Course, located in Carmel, Indiana is the only golf
course in Indiana designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Information was current at of 8/98. Please call (800) 776-TOUR
to verify.
