Introduction to Rensselaer, Indiana
Rensselaer, Indiana, in Jasper county, is 38 miles NW of Lafayette, Indiana (center to center) and 69 miles SE of Chicago, Illinois.
Introduction to Rensselaer, Indiana
Rensselaer, Indiana, in Jasper county, is 38 miles NW of Lafayette, Indiana and 69 miles SE of Chicago, Illinois. There are an estimated 5,294 people in the city.
Rensselaer History
Rensselaer was originally known as Newton and was platted on June 12, 1839. It was renamed Rensselaer in 1844 in honor of James Van Rensselaer, a merchant from Utica, New York. After his business failed during the Panic of 1837, he moved to the area. Rensselaer is the county seat of Jasper County, and was incorporated on December 8, 1858. In 1888, the St. Joseph's Indian Normal School was founded by the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions.
Rensselaer and nearby Attractions
- Carroll County Historical Society Museum
- Winamac State Fish and Wildlife Area
- Matteson Historical Museum
- Tippecanoe Battlefield
- Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
- Balmoral Race Track
Things To Do In Rensselaer
Lemon Lake County Park, Willow Slough State Game Preserve, the Kingsbury State Fish and Wildlife Area, the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, and the Buckley Homestead County Park are some popular local parks and recreational areas. The Tippecanoe Battlefield was the site of a battle between Tecumseh and Harrison in 1811. In addition, the city celebrates a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Little Cousin Jasper Festival, the Jasper County Fair and OktoberFest Rensselaer.
Rensselaer Transportation
Chicago Midway is the closest major airport.
Rensselaer Higher Education
Saint Joseph's College is located in Rensselaer. Other nearby colleges include Valparaiso University, Ivy Tech State College-Northwest and Prairie State College.