First explored for France by Robert
Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, in 1679–1680, the
region figured importantly in the Franco-British
struggle for North America that culminated with
British victory in 1763. George Rogers Clark led
American forces against the British in the area
during the Revolutionary War and, prior to becoming
a state, Indiana was the scene of frequent Indian
uprisings until the victories of Gen. Anthony Wayne
at Fallen Timbers in 1794 and Gen. William Henry
Harrison at Tippecanoe in 1811.
During the 19th century, Indiana was the site of
several experimental communities, including those
established by George Rapp and Robert Owen at New
Harmony.
Indiana's 41-mile Lake Michigan waterfront—one of
the world's great industrial centers—turns out iron,
steel, and oil products. Products include automobile
parts and accessories, mobile homes and recreational
vehicles, truck and bus bodies, aircraft engines,
farm machinery, and fabricated structural steel.
Wood office furniture and pharmaceuticals are also
manufactured.
The state is a leader in agriculture with corn the
principal crop. Hogs, soybeans, wheat, oats, rye,
tomatoes, onions, and poultry also contribute
heavily to Indiana's agricultural output.
Much of the building limestone used in the U.S. is
quarried in Indiana, which is also a large producer
of coal. Other mineral commodities include crushed
stone, cement, and sand and gravel.
Wyandotte Cave, one of the largest in the U.S., is
located in Crawford County in southern Indiana, and
West Baden and French Lick are well known for their
mineral springs. Other attractions include Indiana
Dunes National Lakeshore, Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, and the
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. |
