Ferdinand

Ferdinand (pop. 2,300) is primarily a farming community, with a number of furniture factories.
Founded in 1839 by Father Joseph Kundek, a Croatian priest who was instrumental in the creation of several German Catholic communities in this area of southern Indiana, Ferdinand was named after the Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria.

By car

Interstate 64 passes just to the south of Ferdinand, IN. Use exit 63, then go north on Indiana highway 162 to enter the Ferdinand town limits.

Indiana highway 162, also called Main Street, is the main road through Ferdinand.

• Monastery Immaculate Conception

  phone: +1 812 367-1411
  address: 802 E. 10th St
  The Ferdinand Benedictines are one of the largest Benedictine communities of women in the United States. Guided tours and souvenir shop, visitors welcomed to join in prayers or Mass.

• Ferdinand State Forest

  phone: +1 812 367-1524
  address: 6583 East State Road 264
  Six miles northeast of town on Route 264. Camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and hiking.

• Fleigs Café

  address: 905 Main Street
  Sports bar and tavern. Bar food, fried chicken, fish.

• Homestead Pizza

  address: 1510 Main Street
  Family restaurant, pizza.
• National fast food chains Subway and Wendy's are represented locally.

• Oasis Restaurant

  address: 935 Main Street
  Bar and grill, American cuisine.

• Comfort Inn

  address: 440 South Main Street
  Close to Interstate 64, fast food, gas, Holiday World.

• Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast

  address: 210 Main Street
  A four-room bed and breakfast, conveniently located in the heart of town.

Many areas, particularly near the convent, may not have cell phone reception.

• Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial - Learn more about the 14 years Abraham Lincoln spent living in Indiana, from the age 7 to 21, during the years of 1816 to 1830.
• Santa Claus, a small village with a Christmas theme, is on Route 162 near the Lincoln State Park.