History of Evansville, Indiana By dnheck May 23, 1650 Shawnee, Miami, and other Native American tribes moved to the area. May 23, 1804 French hunter/trapper, Pierre Brouillette traveled to Evansville. May 23, 1812 Evansville was founded by Hugh McGary, who named the city after General Robert M. Evans. May 23, 1845 The first edition (vol. 1, no. 1) of Evansville Courier Press was printed. May 23, 1853 Evansville's first railroad was opened (Evansville and Crawfordsville Railroad). May 23, 1880 Willard library was opened. May 23, 1891 Evansville's city courthouse was built. May 23, 1900 Evansville became one of the largest hardwood furniture centers in the world. May 23, 1928 Mesker Park Zoo opened. It is one of the largest and oldest zoos in the state. May 23, 1937 A massive flood covers 500 city blocks in Evansville. Period: May 23, 1939 to May 23, 1945 Evansville was the largest producer of LSTs. May 23, 1963 Washington Square Mall became Indiana's first covered shopping mall. May 23, 1965 USI is founded, becoming the fasted growing state university in Indiana. Period: May 23, 1988 to May 23, 1997 All exterior shots for "Roseanne" are still photos taken in and around Evansville. May 23, 1992 Game scenes from "A League of Their Own" was filmed at Bosse Field. May 23, 1995 Casino Aztar became Indiana's first gaming riverboat. May 23, 2005 F3 tornado kills 25 people in Evansville. May 23, 2005 USS LST 325 was turned into a museum. May 23, 2006 Children's Museum of Evansville opened its doors. May 23, 2008 Evansville was voted the best city in the country in which "to live, work, and play" by Kiplinger. Aug 23, 2009 Danielle Heck moved to Evansville. May 23, 2010 US census says the total populations is 117,429, becoming 3rd largest city in Indiana. May 23, 2011 Indoor area, Ford Center opens. May 22, 2013 Danielle Heck created her first timetoast timeline. Period: Mar 2, 2022 to May 22, 1600 Native American "mound builders" built their villages where Angel Mounds is today.
