Sample Chapter
The Story of Indiana's Counties
Martin County
County Facts
County Seat - Shoals
Area - 340.41 sq miles
Population - 10,334 (2010)
Founded - January 17, 1820
Named for- John T. Martin
County Government
Martin County Courthouse
111 S. Main Street
Shoals, IN 47581
Tourism Information
Martin County Chamber of Commerce
210 N. Line St.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 257
Loogootee, IN 47553
(812) 295-4093
Visit Martin County
812-295-4093
Thumbnail History
Using portions of Daviess and Dubois Counties, the Indiana Assembly created Martin County by statute on January 17, 1820. The county organized on February 1, 1820. Hindustan became the first county seat. Martin County derives its name from John T. Martin. Hindustan was the largest town in the county at the time. The stagecoach line that went from New Albany to Vincennes passed through the town. From Hindustan, the county seat moved first to Mount Pleasant, then to Trinity Springs and then to current county seat, Shoals. Local legend says Martin County has changed the location of its county seat eight times, a record for the State of Indiana.
Martin County Seats
Hindustan 1820 – 1828
Mount Pleasant 1828 – 1844
Trinity Springs 1844
Shoals ?
Memphis 1844
Harrisonville 1844 – 1845
Hillsborough ( Dover Hill ) 1845 – 1869
Shoals 1869 – present
First County Seat - Hindustan
The county signed the contract for the first county courthouse in Hindustan on June 5, 1820. The population of Hindustan in 1820 was around 500 people. It was a thriving town with a gristmill, sawmill, several stores. The New Albany-Vincennes stage coach line passed through the town, which was the first stage coach line established in Indiana. Tragedy struck the town in the autumn of 1820. Historians are unsure of the disease, but feel it was malaria, cholera or the "milk sickness." By the sheriff’s census report indicated that the population had dropped to 269 people. The town just faded away, the court house was never finished and in 1828 the legislature moved the county seat to Mount Pleasant.
John T. Martin (1770 - c.1822)
Martin commanded a company of Clark County Volunteers serving under General William Henry Harrison. His company served bravely at the Battle of Frenchtown (Battle of Raisin River) in the War of 1812. Captured by the British during the battle, Martin later received a promotion as lieutenant colonel in the 17th Kentucky Regiment.
