HBD Indiana! Breaking down all things Hoosier
The buzzing sound of race cars in the distance, the smell of alfalfa in the summer, and the taste of delicious popcorn – those are the things that make Indiana home to theCityMoms. In honor of Indiana Statehood Day (aka HBD Indiana!) on December 11th, we are breaking down all things “Hoosier” and what makes this state great!
CityMom Jeanine shared this quintessntial Hoosier pork tenderloin photo.
Before we get into it…what is a Hoosier?
By definition, a “Hoosier” is anyone who calls Indiana home. There are several theories and folklore about where the word Hoosier came from. Locals grew up hearing that it came from pioneer times when neighbors would approach someone’s door, and they would yell, “Who’s yere?” in that famous Midwest accent. The first publication using the term was a poem titled The Hoosier’s Nest by John Finley.
One of CityMom Kira’s favorite photos of Indiana.
The Official Facts
The state flower is the peony
(And we celebrate them with an entire festival!)
A giant river runs through the middle of our state - and we like to sing about it – we're looking at you, Wabash River
(Seriously, it’s our state song: On The Banks of the Wabash, Far Away)
We LOVE sports, at every level. On most weekends, you will find us tailgating for a Colts game, cheering on Pacers Basketball, or at a Big Ten tournament (the NCAA Headquarters is here, after all). Speedway, Indiana, is known as the racing capital of the world, home to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500. We even hosted the Super Bowl XLVI in 2012!
We grow a lot of corn - and did you know that much of it is popcorn? Yep, Indiana ranks 2nd in popcorn harvesting nationally.
There’s limestone everywhere! Bedford, Indiana, is the Limestone Capital of the World and has been favored by architects for centuries.
Home of Hoosier Hospitality
People often hear the phrase “Hoosier Hospitality.” It’s a real thing. In a nutshell (that’s probably a walnut), Hoosier hospitality means being neighborly, minding your manners, and lending a hand to your community. Here, strangers will wave hello to you, hold the door for you, and ask about your day in the check-out line. It’s just what we do.
Just one big small town
You know where we’re going with this, right? John Mellencamp is from here. We love him, and he loves us. We have murals dedicated to him, and he co-founded Farm Aid based on his own Hoosier experiences. He also wrote the song “Small Town,” which speaks to the vibe that no matter where in Indiana you are, it feels like a small town.
A walk through Historic Irvington in Indianapolis will feel like home. In our 2nd largest city, Fort Wayne, you’ll find beautiful centuries-old architecture that brings warmth to a booming metropolis. And that energy is found throughout the state.
CityMom Daviana J. with her family at the iconic Indiana State Fair.
The Unofficial Facts
We have Hoosier Pie - or Sugar Cream Pie to the locals – and it’s kind of a big deal. The custard-based filling, sometimes paired with cinnamon and nutmeg, is guaranteed to leave your mouth watering.
(BONUS: We got CityMom Kira’s special family recipe at the end!)
We don’t technically have a state sandwich, if we did, it would be a pork tenderloin.
(If it’s not at least as big as your head, it’s not from Indiana.)
Chicago has the Cubs or White Sox, Los Angeles has the Lakers or the Clippers, and in Indiana: You’re either a Purdue or IU fan. You cannot be both. The friendly, yet very real, rivalry between our two largest colleges splits fans across the state.
Ope! You’ll hear people exclaim “ope” in almost every scenario, especially if they’ve been or caused an inconvenience.
(TBH, most of the time, we don’t realize we’re saying it.)
May is for the 500. Full stop. That’s it. Hoosiers take the 500 in May as seriously as New Yorkers take the Rockefeller tree in December. There are events, parades, and festivals leading up to the big day. And don’t forget the decorations! Yes, locals decorate their homes for The Indy 500.
(You can get a map to check out the best ones!)
We’re something to write about
While Indiana is home to some incredible artists (maybe you’ve heard of Michael Jackson? Yes, the King of Pop is a Hoosier.), we also have authors. And they are really good. Venture down Senate Ave in Indianapolis, and you will find an entire Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library. A trip to Holliday Park takes you to the ruins highlighted in Indy author John Green’s bestseller The Fault in Our Stars. Odds are, if you like to read, you’ve picked up a book by a Hoosier author.
CityMom Amy’s three kiddos in Indianapolis.
Ope, we better head out
We’ve thrown a lot of info at you - but most of all, we hope to have given you a glimpse of what it means to be a Hoosier. From a warm, freshly made bag of Indiana kettle corn while watching the Oaken Bucket, to a day at the beach in Michigan City, the history, hospitality, and traditions are really what make Indiana home.
Frazee Family Sugar Cream Pie
9” Baked Pie Shell
1 C Sugar
¼ C + 1Tbsp Cornstarch
1 Stick Butter
2 ½ C Milk
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Combine sugar, cornstarch, butter, and milk and bring to a boil slowly, stirring constantly. When the mixture is of a thick custard consistency, pour it into the baked pie crust. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg (she promises us the nutmeg takes it to the next level!). Let cool completely before serving. Store covered in the fridge.
