Life of Lincoln Painting on Display in Indy

Spencer County artist Thomas Kennedy created this montage painting of Abraham Lincoln's life, which is now on display at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. The painting was done in honor of Lincoln's 200th Birthday in 2009.

Lincoln lived in Spencer County from Age 7 to 21 and scenes from that era of his life are included in this work of art.

Several sites in Spencer County offer opportunities to learn more about Lincoln's Life on the Indiana frontier including:
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
Lincoln State Park & Col. Jones Home
Lincoln Amphitheatre
Lincoln Pioneer Village
Buffalo Run Farm

Santa Claus, Indiana, is "Quirky."

Santa Claus, Indiana, is one of the top 10 Quirkiest Places to Spend Christmas, according to VirtualTourist.com. Our unique town came in at #2 on the list!

An excerpt from the site reads, "Yes, there is a Santa Claus and it's in Indiana. St. Nick's namesake town plays it to the hilt with a "Santa's Candy Castle" and twenty-two foot high statue of the man himself. Parents who are wondering where to send those letters to Santa can rejoice; the town post office anticipates the deluge each year and even has a special post mark to commemorate the holiday."

VirtualTourist.com is one of the largest online travel research sites and travel communities in the world. This list is based on expert insight and feedback from travelers on the website. Other "quirky" places include the Gingerbread Factory in Leavenworth, Washington; Winterfest in Solvang, California; and Candy Cane Lane in Ravenna, Washington.

Santa Claus, Indiana, is home to the world's first theme park, Holiday World & Splashin Safari, the world famous Santa Claus Post Office, the Santa Claus Museum and Santa's Candy Castle.

Happy Holidays from the Spencer County Visitors Bureau!

To view the website click here.

Give a gift & support Lincoln State Park

The Friends of Lincoln State Park is selling prints of a painting by local artist Jerry Baum of the historic Huffman Bridge that spans the Anderson River between Spencer and Perry Counties. Prints are $35 each with proceeds benefitting the activities and projects of the Friends of Lincoln State Park.

Legend has it that young Abraham Lincoln was returning from a trip to the Huffman Mill in 1830 when he would have been around 21 years old and just before the Lincoln family left Spencer County for Illinois. He stopped to let his oxen take a drink about 8 miles from his home. The story claims that the yoke of the oxen broke and fell into the water, making it impossible for Lincoln to finish the trip. Lincoln was forced to spend the night at a two-story cabin in the area in order for a new yoke to be fashioned the next morning. That cabin has been reassembled and preserved and is now located at Buffalo Run Grill & Gifts. It is thought that the cabin may have been an inn.

Click here for more information on purchasing prints as holiday gifts and supporting the Friends of Lincoln State Park.

Order your Holiday Gifts from Santa Claus, Ind.

Santa's Candy Castle has been a Christmas tradition since 1935! The castle recently launched its new website and re-introduced its historic shipping program - just in time for the Christmas shopping season!

You can now browse Santa's Candy Castle's confections & gifts on their website. And just as you could 70 years ago, you can have these gifts shipped direct to your friends and family with the famous Santa Claus, Indiana postmark, to arrive just in time for Christmas.

Trim the Tree, Lincoln-Style!

This year's White House Christmas Tree has a little Lincoln to go along with all the lights and tinsel!

An ornament representing Abraham Lincoln's life in Indiana is prominently displayed on this year's official White House Christmas Tree. The ornament, representing Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, located in Spencer County, Ind., is one of 391 on the tree, which celebrates the theme "Holiday in the National Parks."

It was designed by Spencer County artist, Tom Kennedy, who donated his time and talents to create the ornament for the park. Kennedy recently completed a mural, titled The Life of Lincoln.

Visit The White House, http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/2007/ website to learn more about the all the ornaments on this very special tree.

Santa Claus gets Festive!

The Christmas in Santa Claus Festival is this weekend, Dec. 8-9! Wondering what to do at the festival? Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Also, be sure to check out the complete event schedule.

Christmas in Santa Claus Festival

Top 10

1. Start the day with a tasty pancake breakfast with Santa

2. Stamp the Picture Postmark your Christmas Cards at the Santa Claus Post Office

3. Shop for gifts at the Holiday Craft Show

4. Listen to the Sounds of the Season during Holiday Concerts at Santa's Lodge

5. Wave as Santa passes by in the Christmas Parade

6. Meet Mrs. Claus at Santa's Candy Castle

7. Write a letter to Santa at The Santa Claus Museum

8. Sip hot cocoa at The Silent Night Cafe

9. Pose for a photo with the Santa Statue at Santa Claus Town Hall

10. Drive through the twinkling Festival of Lights tour in Christmas Lake Village