“You’ll Like Linton” 

            Linton was originally a village called New Jerusalem.  The village prospered and was renamed Linton after General Linton of Terre Haute, by the federal government in 1835.  General Linton had fought in the war of 1812 and Indian wars and was running for Congress at the time.

            Linton was surveyed in 1850 and 40 lots were laid out by Hannah Osborn and Isaiah Coddington.  Linton started showing growth in 1850 when the Indianapolis and Vincennes Railroad ran through the town.  Coal mining in 1870 turned Linton into a boomtown.

            Today Linton, situated in Southwestern Indiana and is the center of three major cities: Terre Haute, Vincennes and Bloomington with a population of 6,300.  Linton, Indiana, a place where you can celebrate life, relax, enjoy, and discover.  Linton has a variety of things to offer, is best known as the birthplace of Phil Harris, known for outdoor recreation, and Indiana’s largest Independence Day Parade!  

            The City of Linton provides 580 acres of recreational area, which includes the Phil Harris Municipal Golf Course (18 holes); Linton Conservation Club for fishing lakes, hiking trails, bicycling, and 3-D archery range.  Sunset Park for scuba diving, camping and fishing.  The Linton City Park or known as Humphrey’s Park, located on the east side of Linton for picnics, miniature golf, swimming (pool & slide), playground fun, tennis and basketball court, horseshoe pits and several shelter houses for family gatherings and community meetings.  The City’s recreational area provides areas for the Linton Saddle Club, Buck Creek Muzzle Loaders, Linton softball, and the Greene County Soccer Complex. 

            Linton is nestled among hundreds of lakes with the Greene-Sullivan State Forest (www.IN.gov/dnr) at the edge of Linton.  Boating, fishing, hunting, camping, archery and hiking are all very popular.  Just north of Linton is the ever-popular Shakamak State Park (www.IN.gov/dnr). 

            Redbird SRA, the State’s first off highway vehicle riding facility was opened in the summer of 2003.  With over 600 acres of riding area, trails, rocks, mud and hills, parking area with loading ramps and restrooms, it is open to all motorized vehicles (4x4s, dirt bikes, and ATV’s).  Located just five minutes west of Linton, it is open Saturday and Sundays from Spring to late fall and for special events.  For more information visit www.RedbirdSRA.com. 

            The Linton Freedom Festival is host to the largest Independence Day Parade in the State of Indiana with approximately 40,000 in attendance.  The Linton-Stockton Chamber of  Commerce hosts this 7 day event which includes a carnival, an arts and crafts show and flea market, live entertainment, fireworks, bed races, a horse pull, classic car cruise in, lip sync contest, Little Miss and Little Mister contest. The event is the week of July 4th.

            Linton is also home of the Phil Harris Celebrity Weekend.  This is an annual event with Roy Clark continuing the tradition that Phil Harris and Alice Faye began. The event is held the weekend after the Indy 500.  This event includes a variety show with Roy Clark and friends.  The Phil Harris Golf Course is host to a golf tournament held in conjunction with the weekend events.  The tournament contributes its proceeds to scholarships for local graduating seniors to further their education.  Started in 1980 this scholarship has grown to an amazing amount.  Many celebrities have taken part in this worthwhile event including Jimmy Dean, Boots Randolph, and Tommy Smothers just to name a few.

            Shopping, eateries, entertainment.  Whether you’re looking for that right gift for special someone, a terrific dinner, want to catch a movie, go skating or bowling, or take in the thrill of seeing go-karts race at speeds of 100 mph (at the Bakersfield Raceway), want the challenge of shooting clays or skeet (at the Triple H Gun Club), enjoy nature by hiking, fishing, hunting, take in a game of golf at the Phil Harris Golf Course, or join us during our festivals . . .

After your visit, we’re sure “You’ll Like Linton,” and be helping us spread the word . . . that Linton is a great place to relax, enjoy and discover . . . a great place to celebrate life!