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The French word, Terre Haute, means "high land," and it aptly describes this location on a plateau by the Wabash River. It was inevitable with the rapid Westward expansion of the early 1800s that this spot would be developed. For more than forty years, (1720-1763) it was on the dividing line between the French provinces of Canada and Louisiana. A fort was built here in 1811 and an Indian village was nearby. Word got out that the land was fertile and by 1816 a land speculator was already setting up for business.

Terre Haute became the county seat of Vigo County. By the time of the Civil War it had grown into a farming, milling and pork processing center, aided by the conjunction of several methods of transportation, including river, highway, canal and railroads. After the Civil War hog production dwindled, but coal mining was flourishing and Terre Haute became one of Indiana’s manufacturing centers. The population, which stood at about four thousand in 1850, jumped to more than 36,000 in 1900 and more than 66,000 in 1920.

Terre Haute has had its economic ups and downs. In the last few decades of the last century it lost considerable jobs and population. By the mid-80s progressive policies and aggressive economic development efforts were beginning to bear fruit. City residents banded together to preserve Terre Haute’s historical legacy in its buildings. The city is working to capitalize on fresh opportunities to build on its traditional strengths, including agriculture, higher education, parks, industry and cultural institutions.

Read more about the history of Terre Haute.

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Indiana, which means "Land of the Indians," was admitted as the 19th state on December 11, 1816. Indiana is the 38th largest state, consisting of 36,291 square miles (93,993 sq. km.) and now has a population of more than 6,000,000. Indiana is known as the Hoosier State.

Read more about the state’s flag, seal, symbols and songs.

Learn the history of Indiana.

Indiana has a strong economy built on agriculture, industry, and tourism.

Indiana’s cultural and artistic diversity and rich history spawned an extraordinary cultural heritage. Music, art, literature all combine to create a colorful tapestry of folklife in our state.

Thinking about starting a business in Indiana? Get information about economic development organizations in Indiana.

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