Books: Hometown Indiana

Visitors travel to Orange County to see one of the most impressive historic courthouses in the Midwest. Underneath that very landmark, and the rest of Paoli, is what is reputed to be the most beautiful limestone cave in Indiana. The courthouse and cave are only two of the Orange County wonders author Arthur L. Dillard unveils for the reader in this fascinating book. Dillard has painstakingly researched mastodon bones, the old stagecoach routes through southern Indiana, little known history of the French Lick resort region, old-time department stores and persimmon pudding, along with other interesting subjects. He’s included local characters who evaded the law and sometimes brought national focus on Orange County and leading citizens with colorful lives and much more. He tells his stories with flair, gentlemanly charm, and accurate historical perspective.