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Cities: Evansville Evansville Evansville Indiana (2000 population = 121,582) is the third largest city in the State. It is the seat of Vanderburgh County. Evansville is located on the north bank of the Ohio River, and it is an important center for river barge traffic. It is also served by several railroad lines and highways, including Interstate 164, US Highway 41, and State Highways 57, 62, and 66. Evansville Regional Airport has numerous passenger flights to hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Detroit. The Evansville area was home to a mound building people from approximately 900 AD to 1600 AD. Remnants of that culture can be seen at the Angel Mounds State Historic Site on the east side of town. The first European settler in the area, Hugh McGary, purchased land in 1812 and established McGary's Landing. A grist mill was erected in 1814, the same year that Evansville was named as the county seat. The county seat was moved elsewhere, then back to Evansville in 1818. Evansville was chartered as a town in 1819 and as a city in 1847. Evansville was named as the southern terminus of the Wabash & Erie canal in 1834. Construction on the canal began in 1836, and the first through boat arrived in 1853. However, construction of a railroad line to Princeton, Indiana began in 1851 and by 1853 trains were making the trip from Evansville to Terre Haute, numbering the days of the canal. The years after the Civil War saw increasing prosperity in the city. Streetcars arrived in 1867. However, periodic flooding of the Ohio River caused a great deal of damage, with major floods in 1882, 1883, 1884, 1913, and 1937. The 1937 flood crested at nearly 54 feet above flood stage on January 31, and martial law was imposed in the city. Evansville was an important ship building city during the Second War World, being particularly involved in the construction of landing craft. However, the post-war years were marred by the closure of several large industrial concerns. Various attempts at urban renewal date from the 1960s. Recent efforts have centered around the riverfront and casino. Evansville is home to the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana. Major employers include Bristol-Myers Squib, Whirlpool, Casino Aztar, Old National Bancorp, and TJ Maxx. Attractions include Angel Mounds State Historic Site, Casino Aztar, EVansville Museum of Arts & Science, Mesker Park Zoo, Reitz Home Museum, and Wesselman Woods. References: Evansville City View Magazine, 2004 Guide to the City Patry, Robert P. 1996. City of the Four Freedoms. ISBN 0-940163-04-7. Taylor, et. al. Indiana: A New Historical Guide.