Where does Southern Indiana REALLY begin? (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne: high school, college, living)

[Dom15]

I would say everything below Indianapolis.

[Colts]

^^I'm not sure if I agree with that. When we talk about "Southern Indiana", we're referring to an area of the state that starts to take on a more culturally Southern feel, in terms of the terrain, climate, accents, architecture, everything on down to manneurisms. Contrast this with stereotypically Midwestern attributes like flat terrain, colder weather, flatter accents, etc.

I think most people would agree that the arbritary line starts a bit further south than Indy, like around Brown County or so. The difference is especially prevalent in the extreme south of the state, where the accents start to turn more Kentuckiana and the weather is generally warmer, for example.

[Future Trooper]

Originally Posted by Colts

^^I'm not sure if I agree with that. When we talk about "Southern Indiana", we're referring to an area of the state that starts to take on a more culturally Southern feel, in terms of the terrain, climate, accents, architecture, everything on down to manneurisms. Contrast this with stereotypically Midwestern attributes like flat terrain, colder weather, flatter accents, etc.

I think most people would agree that the arbritary line starts a bit further south than Indy, like around Brown County or so. The difference is especially prevalent in the extreme south of the state, where the accents start to turn more Kentuckiana and the weather is generally warmer, for example.

This map is probably the closest to drawing a solid line between "Southern Indiana" and the rest of the state.



This line starts roughly at the Sullivan/Vigo County line and goes due East to the Green County Line and then North to Clay County line and then east to Owen County and then North/East to the Putnam County line and then goes directly east splitting Morgan County almost in half and then roughly follows Indiana 44 and then goes east to Shelby/Rush/Decatur County line splitting Shelby County by a third and then goes east to Decatur/Franklin/Rush County line then goes north to Franklin-Rush-Fayette County line and goes directly east exiting into Ohio.

That is roughly about how I would define where "Southern Indiana" starts.

[IndyMac]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

I don't know............ I went to school in, and visit often, Evansville. The only time I heard a twang is when I crossed the river into full-on southern twang in Kentucky. There is a pretty big difference between the two really.

*edit* --> note that I am just talking about the "twang" reference. Obviously Evansville falls well within Southern Indiana

I agree with this completely. You'll get an occasional "warsh" in E-ville, but if cross the river into Henderson you can hardly understand what they're saying. I think it's mostly that people from Northern Indiana, and specifically "The Region", don't know what a real Southern accent sounds like.

They also refuse to believe that they have any accent at all.

[IndyMac]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

I grew up in Indy and always joked that Washington Street is where "southern" Indiana began, even though Hanna Ave. (the boundary between Center and Perry Twps) is actually the line of latitude for the Mason-Dixon line.

Actually, it's Warshington Street where Southern Indiana begins.

[PixiStix]

I grew up in Southern Indiana & I will also agree that Future Trooper's map is pretty accurate...And yes, my mom often goes to Warshington, IN to go shopping. Been trying to correct her for years- not gonna happen

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by IndyMac

I agree with this completely. You'll get an occasional "warsh" in E-ville, but if cross the river into Henderson you can hardly understand what they're saying. I think it's mostly that people from Northern Indiana, and specifically "The Region", don't know what a real Southern accent sounds like.

They also refuse to believe that they have any accent at all.

I think there may be fewer "Southern" accents in "the Region" now than there were 40 years ago. But there was definetly alot of Southern accents around Gary back then because the area was for the most part settled by folks from Tennessee,Kentucky,Arkansas and Mississippi. Not to mention Greek,Armenian,Russian,Slovak etc accents.

[DixieChick1972]

I always thought Southern IN started when you are south of Bloomington. Although that map posted above looks pretty reasonable.

[HoosierRN]

I would agree with the map too as being a decent representation of southern Indiana.

I was born and raised in the Evansville area (Vanderburgh and Posey counties). When I was 20 years old, I moved to an area 30 miles south of Ft. Wayne. The people up here (including my future husband) made fun of my accent. I never considered myself as having an accent, but I sure can notice it when I am back in Evansville visiting my family and friends. My husband said my accent is pretty much gone, except for the fact that I don't pronounce my "L" very clearly. It is funny to hear my little nieces who are 5 and 2 talk with their "accents."

I hate the geography up here in Northeastern Indiana (except for when you get around Pokagon State Park). Way too flat for this gal who grew up in the rolling hills of southern Indiana.

This has definitely been an interesting thread.

[analog_kid86]

I think southern Indiana starts farther south than Columbus. You really don't start getting very southern until south of Seymour (in my opinion).