Once occupied by Paleoindians, Indiana – “The Land of Indians” – was home to many Native American tribes, such as the Shawnee, Miami, Delaware, Mahican, and the Potawatomi, before white settlers came. In 1679 Robert Cavalier, a French-Canadian explorer, was the first white man to see Indiana while exploring the region for France.
Soon after Cavalier’s discovery of Indiana, French fur traders followed and established trading posts throughout the region. In the 1720’s, forts were built and Vincennes became the first permanent white settlement in 1732. However, France lost control of the region in 1763 after their defeat in the French Indian War to Britain.
Although the British had control of the region, they did not enter Indiana until 1779 during the American Revolutionary War. British troops occupied the region, which led to the entrance of American troops. George Rogers Clark of Virginia led American troops into Indiana to fight the British and to claim the land.
Indiana became U.S. territory in 1779 after victory over the British. In 1787, Indiana officially became part of the Northwest Territory. Once white settlers started coming to Indiana, several Native American tribes joined under the leadership of Chief Tecumseh to fight them off but were unsuccessful. The defeat of the Native Americans in the two major battles of Tippecanoe (1811) and Thames (1813) forced many natives to leave the region in 1815. White settlers were free to develop the land.
Shortly after, Indiana became the 19th stated to join the union on December 11, 1816. However, Indiana had initial financial struggles after the framers bought the land from the federal government. Things got better in the 1820’s when federal grants were granted to build roads and canals.
Indiana’s economy improved greatly in the 1850’d during the railroad boom. Railroad expansion linked Indiana to the east coast and spurred new industries and new businesses. In 1852, the Studebaker brothers opened the first wagon shop, which grew to be the biggest manufacturer of wagons in the nation.
Although little fighting took place in Indiana during the Civil War, Indiana shipped food and supplies to the soldiers. New inventions during the war also led to new industries. Richard Gatling of Indianapolis invented the machine gun in 1862. In 1885, the first gasoline pump was built in Fort Wayne. Elwood Haynes also built the first successful gasoline-powered car in Indiana in 1894.
As the twentieth century approached, Indiana’s economy turned to mining. Natural gas and oil were found and led to new industries. Standard Oil built one of the world’s largest oil refineries in Whiting in 1889. The expansion of the auto industry also spurred other metal-product industries. U.S. Steel built its largest mill in Gary, founding the city. In 1911, the first Indianapolis 500 Race was held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
During the Great Depression, Indiana suffered along with the nation as one fourth of its job force was unemployed. The economy recovered during World War II with demand of war supplies. Indiana’s economy continues to change from agricultural to industrial during the 1950’s. Clifty Creek built its first power plant in Madison in 1956.