Southern Indiana Business Report
The Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth announced on Oct. 6, that they are
participating in a campaign to raise $40,000 to build a new shelter house at Hindostan Falls.
The Alliance was approved to participate in a matching grant from the Indiana Housing &
Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program. IHCDA will match dollar for
dollar funds that are raised by the community.
“We’re thrilled to be participating in the CreatINg Places program, and we’re confident our
community will help us reach our goal to receive the matching grant from IHCDA,” said Jessica Potts, executive director of the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth.
The Alliance is partnering with Patronicity, an online crowdfunding platform that sources funds for community improvement projects. The campaign will run from Oct. 6 through Dec. 5.
“It’s an all or nothing grant, so we have to raise the full $40,000 by December 5 to get matched,” said Potts.
The shelter house project is a quality of place initiative led by the Alliance. Hindostan Days, a one-day festival that celebrates the community that was the original county seat, has been such a huge success the last two years.
The Alliance feels that having a shelter house in place for people to gather, and picnic, will increase the traffic even more in the area. Hindostan Falls was settled in 1818 and eventually had 1,200 residents. A sickness wiped out the town in 1828 and it
was never occupied again.
The 200-acre property is now owned and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources. The shelter house is a quality of place initiative being undertaken by the Alliance. The shelter house will offer a place for people to gather for various events. The 30-by-60 structure will have a capacity for 72 people.
The festival will take place Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last year the event drew more than 3,000 visitors and 50 vendors to enjoy the natural scenery and falls along the White River.
“People are amazed when they see and hear about this community that once was. It’s
absolutely beautiful,” Potts said.
Hindostan Falls is located south of Shoals, on Hindostan Falls Road, just off of Ind. 550.
The Alliance will have a booth at the event with more information about the campaign.
Contributions can be made online, Projects | Hindostan Falls | Patronicity or by mailing a check to the Alliance, 2664 US 50, Loogootee, IN 47553. Please write Hindostan shelter house in the memo line.