Things You Didn't Know About...

Nestled along the maple trees on the banks of the Wabash River in Knox County, Indiana, is a little town that’s nearly three centuries old, and it has quite a history.

It is the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in Indiana. It is one of the oldest settlements west of the Appalachians.

Vincennes, Indiana was Indiana’s first city. It was founded in 1732 by French fur traders, including the namesake Francois-Marie Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes. In 1732 he built a fort here to protect the claims of France in the New World.

In 1736, Vincennes was captured and burned at the stake by Chickasaw Indians near the present-day town of Fulton, Tennessee. The settlers named the town after him.

Vincennes was the capital of the Indiana Territory from 1800 to 1813, when the capital moved to Corydon, Indiana, and then, eventually, to Indianapolis.

Vincennes played a key role during the American Revolutionary War. The Americans, led by George Rogers Clark, won the Battle of Vincennes. The battle, also known as the Siege of Fort Sackville, took place in present-day Vincennes, Indiana, from February 23 - 25, 1779. Clark’s forces defeated a British garrison led by Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton.

The battle was a key event in the American Revolutionary War, particularly in the Western theater. Clark’s victory helped the Americans gain control of the Illinois Country. The victory was achieved after a difficult winter march across flooded terrain.

Today, on the bank of the Wabash River in Vincennes, is the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Memorial.

Also, the ninth President of the United States, William Henry Harrison, served as the territorial Governor of the Northwest Territory, from 1801 through 1812. During that time, he lived at “Grouseland,” a 300-acre estate in Vincennes. He modeled “Grouseland” after his childhood home in Virginia.

The Grouseland Mansion and Museum is a National Historic Landmark, important for its architecture, and role in history. “Grouseland,” is the first brick home built in the Indiana Territory. It was built for William Henry Harrison, in Vincennes, Indiana, during his term as Governor of the Indiana Territory.

Several notable figures were born in Vincennes, Indiana. The most famous is likely Red Skelton, a renowned comedian and entertainer. He was perhaps most popular for his artwork of clowns, which was said to have earned him more money than his acting. He was a very good artist and had a love for painting clowns. Some of his more popular art works were sold at the Bronze Lady, a store located in Clearwater, Florida during the 1980’s.

Red Skelton was born into a traveling circus family. He rose through the ranks of vaudeville, radio, and starred in a record breaking 20 years of top 10 national television, and more than 50 films. He appeared in more than 30 MGM films during the 1940s and 1950s. He authored more than 4,000 ideas, and short stories over a period of 50 years. He composed more than 3,000 musical melodies, compositions, and symphonies, played, and recorded by some of the world’s renowned musicians, and orchestras.

In 1945, Red Skelton married Georgia Davis, and the couple had two children, Richard, and Valentina. Richard died of leukemia as a child, and it was reported the death had devasted Red. Red once said, His son was the greatest joy of his life.” He never got over Richard’s death. He and Georgia divorced in 1972.

The Red Skelton Bridge spans the Wabash River, and provides the highway link between Illinois, and Indiana on Highway 50, near his hometown of Vincennes, Indiana.

The Red Skelton Performing Arts Center, on the Vincennes University campus was constructed in 2006.

I remember as a child sitting on the couch with my grandfather watching the Red Skelton Show. He was hilarious! He portrayed many characters, but one of my favorites was “Clem Kadiddlehopper.”

On July 18, 2013, which would have been Red Skelton’s 100th Birthday, the official opening of The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy was held in his birthplace of Vincennes, Indiana, not too far from where his childhood home still stands. Distinguished visitors, and guests from around the world gathered to honor the life of one of America’s greatest entertainers, patriots, humanitarians, and philanthropists.

Red Skelton, died in a hospital in Palm Springs, California, of pneumonia on September 17, 1997. At the time of his death, he lived in Anza, California, and was married to his second wife, Lothian Skelton. They were married for 25 years. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, in Glendale, California.

Vincennes, Indiana, is also the birthplace of another Hollywood actor, Jack Alvin Moore. He was born December 5, 1921. He was best known for his role as the county agricultural agent, Hank Kimball, on the CBS television series “Green Acres.” He appeared in 142 of the 170 total “Green Acres” episodes.

When Jack Moore was young, his family moved to Terre Haute, Indiana. He attended what is known today as Indiana State University. He then served in WWII as a Marine and saw combat at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He married actress, Carolyn Mohr, in 1950, and they had three children. Jack, and Carolyn Moore, were married for 47 years, until his death of heart failure on May 4, 1997, at their home in Palm Desert, California. He was 75 years old.

In 2008, Carolyn received the “International Award of Distinction,” for being a member of Beta Sigma Phi, for more than 50 years. This award is the highest honor the organization bestows on active members. She was also a member, and treasurer of the “Motion Picture Mothers” for more than 30 years. Carolyn Moore, died at age 79 in 2009.

Another Hollywood actress was born in Vincennes, Indiana. Alice Frances Taaffe was born July 24, 1899. She was a silent screen star in the 1920s. She was also known as Alice Terry. She starred with some of the biggest actors of her time including Ramon Novarro, and Rudolph Valentino. She retired from films after talkies came into existence. She died of pneumonia on December 22, 1987, at Burbank, California. She was 88.

And finally, the U.S. Navy has named four ships after Vincennes, Indiana. The first USS Vincennes was a sloop-of-war commissioned in 1826, and the most recent was a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser commissioned in 1985.

And there you have it. Things you didn’t know about Vincennes, Indiana. It’s just a small town of approximately 16,504 people, located in the southern part of the “Hoosier State.”