Best Western, Inn of Old Vincennes.

Best Western - Inn of Old Vincennes.

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Visit Historic Vincennes, Indiana Vincennes was founded in 1732 as a fur trading outpost. In 1779 George Rogers Clark, with his small army, took the area from the British in what has become known as the largest land conquest in the revolutionary war. In 1800 the Indiana territory was formed with Vincennes as its headquarters, and a young soldier/politician, William Henry Harrison was its first governor. Harrison went on to become the ninth president of the United States. The brick home he built, the first brick home in the territory, still stands today and is known as "Grouseland"

	The USS Vincennes Monument (Within 2 Miles!) Located at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial Bridge on Vigo Street, commemorates the four naval ships named for our community. The first launched in 1826, was the flagship of a U.S. South Seas Exploring Expedition. The second USS. Vincennes, a heavy cruiser, saw action at Midway and sank at Guadalcanal in 1942. The Third was a light cruiser launched in 1943. The current USS Vincennes is a guided missile cruiser launched in 1984. Her crew is currently stationed in Japan.

Grouseland (Within 3 Miles!) Was the home to William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana territory, later ninth president of the United States. Built in 1803-1804, it was saved from destruction and was restored by the Francis Vigo Chapter of the DAR in 1911. Grouseland was the focal point of the social and official life of the territory. Now open for tours, it is furnished with pieces from the time period including some of Harrison's possessions. Open March - December - daily 9am to 5 pm January - February - March - daily 11 am to 4 pm Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day Adults $5.00 - Students $3.00 - Children under 12 $2.00 Open mid march to mid December Wednesday through Saturday 9 am to 5 pm Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm Closed Monday & Tuesday Adults $2.00 - Students $1.00

	The Indiana Territorial Capitol Building (Within 3 Miles!) Is a two-story frame structure held together by wooden pegs. Built in 1805 as a tailor shop, this building has been preserved and is considered the oldest major government building in the midwest. A nine member general assembly met on the first floor. The upper house consisted of five men appointed by the governor and the president and met on the second floor. Because the stairway was on the outside, a doorkeeper delivered messages between the two bodies when the legislature was in session. It is now open for tours where it is used to interpret early government in the territory

The Lincoln Memorial Bridge (Within 1.5 Miles!) Located at the western end of Vigo Street and crosses the Wabash River into Illinois. The bridge was dedicated on September 3, 1933, the sesquicentennial of the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War and marks the spot where Abraham Lincoln's family crossed the Wabash River in 1830. It was dedicated by the governors of Indiana and Illinois. On the Illinois side of the bridge is a statue of Lincoln donated by the Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution. The Lincoln Memorial Bridge also marks the fording place of great herds of buffalo, which, hundreds of years ago, carved the Buffalo Trace on their way from the Great Plains across present day Indiana to the bluegrass regions of Kentucky. Two Native American figures important to the history of the Old Northwest, Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet, guard the eastern entrance to the bridge.
	George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (Within 1.5 Miles!) Is the site of an extremely important battle that occurred during the revolutionary war. Led by George Rogers Clark and a small army of american frontiersmen and french inhabitants, they captured Fort Sackville from the british, which aided the United States in laying claim to the vast region that later became the old northwest territory. Today a massive granite and marble memorial, more than 80 feet high stands on the fort sackville site. Inside is a bronze statue of George Rogers Clark, huge murals around the rotunda and Clark's words carved into the Indiana limestone. His statement best captures the essence of his contribution to american history, "great things have been effected by a few men well conducted" Open daily 9 am to 5 pm Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day Ages 17 and over $3.00, Ages Under 17 - free

The Old Cathedral (Within 1.5 Miles!) Was built in 1826 and stands on the site of three previous churches. It was still under construction when Abraham Lincoln passed near the site during his move to Illinois in 1830. The first was a crude log structure built in 1749 where the first catholic parish in Indiana was formed. Four bishops are buried in the crypt of the current cathedral. The adjoining cemetery is the final resting place of over 4,000 early citizens of Vincennes. Self-guided tours daily 8 am to 4 pm (tours during mass are not offered, however visitors are welcome to join us for services) Monday - Wednesday 8 Am Thursday - Friday 12 Noon Saturday 5:15 pm Sunday 8 am and 10:30 am Donations are requestd for tours $.50 per adult & $.25 per student Guided tours by arrangement by phoning (800) 886-6443

	Fort Knox II (Within 6 Miles!) Is located on the Wabash River and was one of the early military posts built and garrisoned in the Indiana territory. The fort served as the staging area for the troops that fought at the battle of Tippecanoe. It is also significant for its association with William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, who later became presidents of the United States and with Tecumseh, the indian chief. The fort is outlined with short posts and interpretive markers tell the story of the site. It is located three miles north of Vincennes on Fort Knox Road. Picnic and restroom facilities are available. Self-guided - No charge

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