Explore Indiana Treasure Stories

The Reno Brothers Missing Loot

Saskatohawan's Cave of Gold

Welcome to Indiana, the Hoosier Heartland at the Crossroads of America.

Indiana has been settled since before the development of the Hopewell culture (100-400 CE).  The name "Indiana" simply means "land of the Indians," as there were a great many Indians located in this region when the first European settlers arrived.  These early settlers felt it extremely important to preserve religious freedom, and many denominations have flourished in Indiana, contributing greatly to the substantial and diverse religious makeup of Indiana, currently home to well over 7,000 churches.  During the pioneer era, Indiana's population soared due to emigration primarily from Kentucky and Ohio, and the sale of public lands.  Although the capital of the state is now Indianapolis, previously the capital in 1813 was in southern Indiana in Corydon, the site of the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana, and prior to that Vincennes when the French possessed this land dubbed New France.  Another unique feature of Indiana that many people today are not aware of is the expansive limestone geology of southern Indiana with its multitude of caves and limestone quarries.