Terre Haute
& Surrounding Communities of West-Central Indiana & Eastern Illinois
History | Education | Industry | Recreation | Healthcare | Weather | News
History
Terre Haute first appeared on early 18th century maps carried by explorers. Situated 50 feet above the east bank of the Wabash River's high water mark, the early explorers aptly applied the French words Terre Haute (tehr-uh hoht), meaning "high ground" to describe the surrounding area.
As the Midwest grew and cities and towns developed amidst the sprawling prairies and farmland, Terre Haute soon adopted the name, "Crossroads of America". Equidistant from St Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Louisville, Terre Haute is still a primary major metropolitan area as the "hub" of the Wabash Valley, and a regional employer and retail center serving West-Central Indiana and Eastern Illinois.
Terre Haute is rich in tradition with its courthouse, schools, downtown area, area parks and recreation, whose detailed history is documented by both the Vigo County Public libraries and Vigo County Historical Society. Surrounding counties of Clay, Parke, Sullivan, and Vermillion in Indiana, and the Marshall, Illinois MSA, add to the breadth of history, retail, services, and landscape of greater Terre Haute.
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology, Ranked #1 |
Outstanding Education
Few cities can claim the wealth and diversity of educational institutions that the Terre Haute area boasts.
With three sources of higher education and award-winning primary and secondary schools, area schools offer a variety of public and private school options. #1 ranked Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology joins a private women’s college, St. Mary of the Woods, and a state university, Indiana State in providing undergraduate and graduate programs, while Ivy Tech and others offer professional certification and associates’ programs.
Union Hospital |
Solid Industrial Base
In addition to the educational benefits of living in Terre Haute, residents also benefit from an expanding economy and business foundation. Staples, Gander Mountain, the Heartland Steel plant, Smith Aerospace, Kohl's and TJMaxx are just a few new employers, while employers with recent expansions include Pfizer, Bemis, AET, Columbia House, the Industrial Park and Sony-DADC. Terre Haute's job market and economy offer excellent opportunities for residents and employers relocating to or within the greater Terre Haute area. Learn more>>
Great Shopping and Restaurants
Retail sales play a large role in Terre Haute's economy. Honey Creek Mall, Meadows Shopping Center and Plaza North are now being joined by the new Honey Creek Commons as retail centers serving west-central Indiana and eastern Illinois. As the heart of a much larger sales area Terre Haute's MSA attracts customers 50 or more miles in every direction. Terre Haute is home to over 1700 hotel rooms and more than 200 restaurants that cater not only to the local economy, but also to a very stable tourism industry. Learn more>>
It snows in Terre Haute too |
Just Having Fun
Terre Haute features several community attractions sure to please all. Residents and visitors alike can take in the beautiful scenery along the Wabash River. The river is a popular recreational site offering fishing and boating, and rich in history as the site of Paul Dresser’s boyhood home (the writer of “Banks of the Wabash”- our state song). Dirt track auto racing, area sports, the Covered Bridge Festival in nearby Parke County, and dozens of other festivals, parks, golf courses and shopping centers provide lots to do. Learn more>>
The Sheldon Swope Art Museum |
Enjoy Culture & Recreation
A Reader's Digest poll ranked Terre Haute 45th out of 301 cities as one of the best communities for raising a family. The Sheldon Swope Art Museum, the Community Theater of Terre Haute, The Wabash Valley Family Sports Center and the wonderful city and county parks systems offer something for everyone. Terre Haute and the surrounding counties combine to provide many of the conveniences found in larger cities, while maintaining the comfort and security of small town living. It is no surprise that residents enjoy a higher standard of living in Terre Haute. Learn more>>
Terre Haute Regional Hospital |
Be Healthy
Terre Haute's two hospitals, Regional Hospital and Union Hospital provide over 600 beds for your acute care medical needs. In addition, a full spectrum of medical services with the latest medical technology available are also offered by the AP & S Clinic and its doctors & surgery centers. Behavioral health, pediatric specialties and adult care services are also available from several other providers. The availability of quality healthcare in Terre Haute is prominent throughout the entire Wabash Valley.
Weather
Terre Haute rests in west-central Indiana along the Wabash River, nestled between Southern Indiana’s rolling hills and a little over an hour from central Indiana’s bustling metropolitan area of Indianapolis. Enjoy all the Midwest’s changing seasons! Spring comes alive with flowers and awakened wildlife, while summers are whiled away at area lakes and parks. Gorgeous fall foliage can be enjoyed at area parks and nearby Brown County, while sledding and cross-country skiing can be enjoyed all winter long. For more information on the beauty, weather and changing seasons in the “Heartland”, visit WTWO or WTHI local weather.
News & Media
For area and community news for west-central Indiana and eastern Illinois, check some of our premier newspapers and television stations. WTWO Channel 2 and WTHI-TV Channel 10 offer the best in area sports, weather and statewide news. The newspapers, Tribune-Star and Terre Haute Business Journal, offer daily news as well.
At the dawn of this new century, the Terre Haute area emerges as a regional leader in education, recreation, business development and expansion, and a renewed sense of community. We are proud to offer our city and area; rich in history, culture, and opportunity, and I invite you to allow me the pleasure of being your guide to the Terre Haute Area.
Request our Free Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about our community.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
