Where does Southern Indiana REALLY begin? (Indianapolis, Evansville: hotel, school, pool)

[Colts]

Ok, I've heard five definitions for this one. I'm talking about the imaginary line where things become less Midwestern and start to take on a more Southern feel in multiple areas (like topography, accents, architecture, food, etc).

Obviously there won't be a clear cut answer, and Indiana is generally a Midwestern state, so I'd like to get multiple thoughts on this. First, I've heard it refer to specifically the 3 counties on the Indiana side of the Louisville metro. The second definition refers to only for the southernmost counties in Indiana, like closer to the Ohio river. The third definition (and the one most people seem to agree on) consists of the entire state below Terre Haute and Martinsville. Another definition is Washington Street in Indianapolis (this seems to be more of a joke from Indy northsiders). Finally, the most humorous definition I've heard is everything south of the Toll Road (which would be like 98% of the state and mainly used over in Lake County.)

[domergurl]

growing up near south bend, I always thought the twangs started south of US30 .... BUT, I know that's not the case. When I was a student at IU (which is definitely in southern Indiana), driving down 37 into martinsville, the topograhy changes dramatically because of the glacial retraction ... I guess draw a east west line through the state starting in Martinsville .... there ... that's southern Indiana.

[Colts]

I like that definition. When you start to encounter the hills, you're pretty much "down there".

It's funny, because I thought the twangs really picked up around Martinsville...and the people closer to Kentucky had full on drawls. I went to school with this one girl from New Albany and she had a drawl...and it was kind of hot in a weird way.

The thickest drawl I've ever encountered in this state was from a young man from Richmond. You would swear he was from Tennessee if he didn't tell you otherwise otherwise.

[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

[Future Trooper]

I think this is defines southern Indiana pretty well IMO

[matalove]

I don't know about that map. Last time I went up to Bloomington, a lot of people asked about my accent. I grew up around Evansville and really don't think I have an accent until I go "up north" and someone points it out.

I have to share this funny story since we're on the topic. Once in Florida I was sitting by the hotel pool wearing an Indiana shirt. A couple came over and said, "Oh are you from Indiana? We're from South Bend!" I said yes, that I was from Evansville. The woman asked where that was and I told her way down at the very bottom of the state. The woman paused, looked at me, and said, "Well, you don't side like your from Indiana!" LOL!

[Future Trooper]

I wonder if that couple you encountered were new to Indiana or if they just don't know their state very well.

[domergurl]

That's a pretty good map ... gdude! I wasn't far off.

[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. However, I now consider "southern" Indiana and the American south to begin south of a line from Bloomington to Columbus.

[Future Trooper]

Originally Posted by domergurl

That's a pretty good map ... gdude! I wasn't far off.

Thank you