FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2025-206

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (December 11, 2025) – Today’s edition of Fun with Maps celebrates the arrival of Indiana to our union of states over 200 years ago.

Hoosiers

Indiana became the 19th state on December 11, 1816.

Its name means the land of the Indians.  Is that politically correct?

It is home to:

• – Santa Claus Land near Louisville,
• – the NCAA headquarters,
• – one of the largest steel mills in Gary
• –  Indiana University (IU), home of Bobby Knight many years ago,
• – one of the largest public health inventions co-worked by IU with Procter and Gamble – fluoride toothpaste
• – a car race called the Indianapolis 500,
• – and a fun bike race at IU, called the little 500.

By the way the name “Hoosiers” has unknown origins, but there are many theories.

Greenleaf’s map of Indiana is presented here from 1843.  

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.