History of Corydon, Indiana

Corydon became the second territorial capital of Indiana in 1813, when it was moved there from Vincennes. The future U.S. President, William Henry Harrison, lived for a time in Corydon. The state constitution was drawn up in Corydon on June 10, 1816. The 43 delegates in charge of writing the state's constitution met inside the Harrison County Courthouse. Because of the summer heat and the cramped nature of the courthouse, the delegates would often seek refuge outside under a giant elm tree. This tree is now known as the Constitutional Elm tree, and its trunk is still preserved. The town served as the first state capital of Indiana from 1816 to 1825, when the capital moved to Indianapolis. The Old Capitol Building is now a state historic site.

Corydon was the site of the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana. On July 9, 1863, a Confederate contingent led by Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan crossed from Kentucky into Indiana during what became known as "Morgan's Raid." Over 2,500 mounted cavalrymen with two pieces of artillery engaged about 400 hastily prepared home guard units at the Battle of Corydon, resulting in a Confederate victory and the town surrendering to Morgan. Corydon was not the first Indiana town to surrender to rebel forces, however. Newburgh had been captured on July 18, 1862, without a shot being fired during an earlier raid.

Corydon was named by William Henry Harrison after a character in a favorite tune called Pastoral Elegy.