Ferdinand - town in Indiana, United States

Ferdinand is a small town in Southwestern Indiana.

Understand

Ferdinand (pop. 2,300) is primarily a farming community, with a number of furniture factories.

Founded in 1839 by Father Joseph Kundek, a Croatian priest who was instrumental in the creation of several German Catholic communities in this area of southern Indiana, Ferdinand was named after the Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria.

Get in

By car

Interstate 64 passes just to the south of Ferdinand, IN. Use exit 63, then go north on Indiana highway 162 to enter the Ferdinand town limits.

Get around

Indiana highway 162, also called Main Street, is the main road through Ferdinand.

See

• A total solar eclipse on Monday 8 April 2024 starts at 3:04PM local time and lasts 2 min 30 sec. The chances of a clear sky are 35%. The track of totality is northeast from Mexico and Texas to Illinois, then across Indiana to Ohio and the Canada-New England border.
• Monastery Immaculate Conception, 802 E. 10th St, 38.2253°, -86.8550°, +1 812 367-1411. The Ferdinand Benedictines are one of the largest Benedictine communities of women in the United States. Guided tours and souvenir shop, visitors welcomed to join in prayers or Mass.

Do

• Ferdinand State Forest, 6583 East State Road 264, +1 812 367-1524. Six miles northeast of town on Route 264. Camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and hiking.

Buy

Eat

• Fleigs Café, 905 Main Street, +1 812-367-1310. Sports bar and tavern. Bar food, fried chicken, fish. Under $10
• Homestead Pizza, 1510 Main Street, +1 812-367-1808. Family restaurant, pizza.
• National fast food chains Subway and Wendy's are represented locally.

Drink

• Oasis Restaurant, 935 Main Street, +1 812-367-1250. Bar and grill, American cuisine.

Sleep

• Comfort Inn, 440 South Main Street, +1 812 367-1122. Close to Interstate 64, fast food, gas, Holiday World.
• Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast, 210 Main Street, +1 812 367-1881. A four-room bed and breakfast, conveniently located in the heart of town.

Connect

Many areas, particularly near the convent, may not have cell phone reception.

Go next

• Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial - Learn more about the 14 years Abraham Lincoln spent living in Indiana, from the age 7 to 21, during the years of 1816 to 1830.
• Santa Claus, a small village with a Christmas theme, is on Route 162 near the Lincoln State Park.