Corydon in Harrison County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Branches of History
Photographed By Tony Ganson, August 4, 2019
1. Branches of History Marker
Inscription.
Branches of History. . Corydon’s Constitution Elm stood a few blocks to the north of Indiana’s first capitol. The huge elm tree, about 50 feet high and spread over 130 feet, offered cooling shade from the summer sun. When the framers of the Indiana Constitution met during the sweltering June days of 1816 they st under the tree.
An elm disease killed the tree in 1925, and only the trunk remains at the Constitution Elm Memorial. Pieces of the tree were sold as souvenirs. In 1937, a protective sandstone memorial was erected over the trunk.
The Constitution Convention was attended by 43 representatives from the territory. When preparing Indian’s state laws they relied heavily on existing constitutions, especially those of Ohio and Kentucky.
Indiana’s first capitol, completed in 1816 at a cost of $3000, was designed for use as Harrison County Courthouse. but housed the General Assembly and Supreme Court until the capital was moved to Indianapolis in 1825.
Corydon’s Constitution Elm stood a few
blocks to the north of Indiana’s first capitol.
The huge elm tree, about 50 feet high and
spread over 130 feet, offered cooling shade
from the summer sun. When the framers
of the Indiana Constitution met during the
sweltering June days of 1816 they st under
the tree.
An elm disease killed the tree in 1925, and
only the trunk remains at the Constitution
Elm Memorial. Pieces of the tree were
sold as souvenirs. In 1937, a protective
sandstone memorial was erected over the
trunk.
The Constitution Convention was
attended by 43 representatives from
the territory. When preparing Indian’s
state laws they relied heavily on existing
constitutions, especially those of Ohio and
Kentucky.
Indiana’s first capitol, completed in 1816
at a cost of $3000, was designed for use
as Harrison County Courthouse. but
housed the General Assembly and Supreme
Court until the capital was moved to
Indianapolis in 1825.
Location. 38° 12.807′ N, 86° 7.645′ W. Marker is in Corydon, Indiana, in Harrison County. Marker is on West High Street, on the right when traveling west. marker is next to the Constitution Elm Memorial.
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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W High St,, Corydon IN 47112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
second picture on marker,; assembly under the tree
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 4. submitted on June 19, 2023, by Susan McClain of Carmel, Indiana. 5, 6. submitted on August 7, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
