I visited Corydon—Indiana’s original state capital—for the first time on Friday. It was the capital from the time it became a state in 1816 until Indianapolis was built (specifically for the purpose of being the capital city) in 1825.
This building housed both wings of the state legislature and the Supreme Court:
![Auto-generated description: A historic stone building with white shutters, a white door, and a small cupola on the roof is adorned with a patriotic bunting above the entrance.](https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/56576/2024/img-1499.jpeg)
The Indiana constitution was debated and drafted in part under this elm, because the building was too hot in June. The tree died about a century ago and they preserved its trunk in this monument. All of Indiana’s county courts have a gavel carved from this elm and the original constitution is stored in a box made from its wood:
![Auto-generated description: A tall wooden stump, encased in a brick and stone structure and accompanied by a commemorative plaque, stands prominently.](https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/56576/2024/img-1504.jpeg)
The Indiana constitution was signed on this desk:
![Auto-generated description: A vintage wooden writing desk with a slanted lid, a drawer below, and two candlesticks and an inkwell on top.](https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/56576/2024/img-1502.jpeg)