Nestled on the banks of the Ohio River in southwestern Indiana, Evansville is the third largest city in Indiana and the county seat of Vanderburgh County. If you are moving to Evansville because you think it is the best city to live, work, raise a family or conduct business, then you are not alone. In 2008, Evansville topped Kiplinger.com's readers' choice poll of the Best Cities to Live, Work and Play. Residents of Evansville can't stop raving about the city's modestly priced homes, affordable cost of living, good schools and vibrant economy. Evansville was also named an All-America City by the National Civic League in 2004. Before you start calling Evansville movers, take a moment to find out more about the city that serves as the commercial, medical and transportation hub for the Tri-State region of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.
Economy:
A strategic location, highly productive workforce and pro-business environment contribute to Evansville's position as the economic hub for the Tri-State Region. The manufacturing industry dominates the area, producing such goods as appliances, aluminum, pharmaceuticals, plastics, metals and chemical. Aside from manufacturing, other steadily growing sectors are retail and wholesale trade, financial services and health care. The city's largest employers include Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Shoe Carnival Inc, St. Mary's Medical Center, Deaconess Hospital, Bristol Myers Squibb and Whirlphool Corportation. People from other parts of the Tri-State are moving to Evansville because its cost of living and median housing prices are below the national average. Downtown redevelopment initiatives have been successful at attracting two corporations to build their headquarters downtown, raising the city's population and enabling the construction of loft apartments in formerly vacant buildings.
History:
In 1912, Hugh McGary, Jr. purchased from the federal government 200 acres of land on which present-day Evansville now stands. With the intention of turning the property into a permanent settlement, McGary platted the land in 1814 and called it McGary's Landing. In 1817, McGary sold parcels of his land to General Robert M. Evans and Evans' brother-in-law, James W. Jones, both of whom shared his dream of remodeling and expanding the town. The three revised the 1814 town plan and subsequently succeeded in making it the seat of Vanderburgh County. The town was eventually named Evansville in honor of Evans. Evansville was incorporated on January 27, 1847. Evansville prospered with the arrival of steamboats on the Ohio River in the early 1800s and the appointment of Evansville to be the southern terminus of the Wabash & Erie Canal in 1836. The completion of the canal in 1853 coincided with the arrival of the first railroad in Evansville. The next decades saw hundreds of immigrants moving to Evansville in search of livelihoods in the rapidly growing town. The Ohio River flood of 1937 left nearly half of Evansville underwater and caused such destruction that it prompted the construction of a giant levee to protect the city. During World War II, Evansville's factories produced military planes and tank landing ships for the Armed Forces. The rapid expansion of industrial production in the 1950s brought further prosperity of Evansville, which continued until Evansville became the regional hub for the Tri-State Region.
Tourism:
Whether admiring the $10 million permanent art collection at the Evansville Museum of Art, History and Science or hiking through the Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, there's plenty to keep you busy and entertained long after Evansville movers have delivered all of your moving boxes. Take a guided canoe trip on Pigeon Creek or play a round of golf at the Evansville Country Club. Enjoy Las Vegas-Style casino action at Casino Aztar and try your luck at hundreds of slot games and live poker room. If you are moving to Evansville with your family, don't miss Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden or the Burdette Park Aquatic Center. Currently under construction is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose arena that will serve as the region's center for sports and entertainment.