This partial list of city nicknames in Indiana compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities and towns in Indiana are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.[2]
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
The nickname "Athens of the Prairie" was bestowed on Columbus, Indiana, due to the large assemblage of contemporary architecture and public sculpture in the city, including Henry Moore's "Large Arch."
"Auburn Automotive History". publichistory.iupui.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-17. Auburn, Indiana— Home of the Classics— was once a bustling center of manufacturing.
Turtle DaysArchived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine, City of Churubusco, accessed April 21, 2007. "Oscar, however, does live on in memories, and is commemorated each year with a four-day Turtle Days celebration. Thus, Churubusco is world-renowned as TURTLE TOWN, USA."
Jacob Platt Dunn (1912), Indiana Geographical Nomenclature, Indiana Magazine of History, Volume 8, page 79. "Evansville is the 'Crescent City' from its location on the outer side of a curve on the Ohio River; the 'Pocket City' from its location in and as the metropolis of that part of the State popularly designated at 'The Pocket.'"
Catherine Traylor Gregory, Evansville, Indiana Business Magazine, Sunday, June 1, 1997. Nickname refers to city's location on "a horseshoe-shaped section of the Ohio River."
Rich Davis, Words to live by; Pride extends from 'Best Town on Earth' to 'Hub of Universe', Evansville Courier & Press, January 27, 2008. "Evansville has long been 'Stoplight City' to truckers thanks to the dozen or so red lights on U.S. 41. ...And while it's true you'll find 'River City' atop Downtown Evansville's Main Street arches from the 1980s, it could just as easily proclaim Pocket City or Heavensville."
Gary's steel town blues, BBC News, January 27, 2002, accessed April 21, 2007. "It is for this reason Gary, with its huge US Steel Gary Works plant – along with other, smaller steel firms – still refers to itself as 'Steel City'."
Hot Spot: April 20-22[permanent dead link], WISH-TV, April 20, 2007, accessed April 21, 2007. "INDIANAPOLIS – Looking for something fun to do with your family this weekend? There is plenty to do around the Circle City indoors and outside."
Colts' arrival transformed Indy into major sports city, USA Today, January 28, 2007, accessed April 21, 2007. "INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A convoy of moving vans brought more than the Colts to Indianapolis. The westward migration that cold, snowy night almost a quarter-century ago also awakened Naptown to a new era of professional football and transformed the city into a major league sports town."
History of Grant County & Marion, IndianaArchived 2008-04-18 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 2, 2007. "Marion fielded professional baseball and roller polo teams, had its opera houses, supported rival street car companies and came within two weeks of operating the first electric interurban line in Indiana. Marion, "Queen City of the Gas Belt," was as exciting as a Roman candle lit at both ends."
City of Peru, accessed April 2, 2007. "Being the "Circus Capital of the World", we celebrate our heritage each July with our own world class youth circus and parade."
Vigo County Historical Society: History of Terre Haute, accessed April 2, 2007. "The city's dream of becoming the Pittsburgh of the West was not realized because of inferior ore and the development of Lake County's steel industry."
Warsaw: a growing "orthopedics capital of the world.", Indiana Business Magazine, January 1, 2006. "Five industries employing more than 5,500 have earned Warsaw, long dubbed "Lake City" because of its three lakes, a new moniker. Today, Warsaw is also known as the 'Orthopedic Capital of the World.'"
