Anderson, IN

Named after Chief William Anderson of the Delaware Indian tribe, Anderson Town became Andersontown before being legally shortened to Anderson by the Indiana State Legislature in 1844.

Between 1853 and the late 19th century, Anderson's manufacturing community thrived on the natural gas in the area. When the natural gas ran out in the early 20th century, several industries were forced to move out of town. The Commercial Club convinced one company to stay and continually encouraged up-and-coming businesses to start up in the city, leading to Anderson's rich manufacturing community.

Culture and history play a large role in present-day Anderson; the city houses numerous museums, theatre, arts and historic sites. Examples include The Anderson Center for the Arts, a cultural center with numerous exhibits, classes, events and camps. Anderson Symphony Orchestra and Anderson's Mainstage Theatre provide residents and visitors with exciting performances, while the Madison County History Center and McClain Museum engage the minds of patrons.

Paramount Theatre hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Festival of Trees in November, and ballet and symphony concerts. Downtown Anderson hosts Winterfest every year, a treat for residents to revel in the wonder of Indiana's snow-covered Decembers.

Several restaurants and bars call Anderson home, and residents cannot seem to get enough of the extensive selection of food choices in this smaller city. From Mediterranean fare to burgers, fast food and steakhouses, the options make Anderson an ideal place to eat.

Check out The Nile if Mediterranean dishes pique your interest. Egyptian, Lebanese and Greek entrées fill the menu. Start with the homemade hummus platter or the feta cheese relish tray. Additional appetizers include spinakopita and Egyptian meat pie. Several vegetarian and vegan options line the menu from salads, sandwiches and entrées.

Lemon Drop satisfies the appetites of burger lovers. Onion burgers take first place among first-time visitors and regulars. With nostalgic 1940s and 1950s decor and a vintage sign, Lemon Drop takes you back in time.

For something sweet, stop in to visit Deluxe Donuts. Out-of-towners who stumble upon this gem return on every subsequent visit. Cake donuts fill the menu, along with other specialty and old-fashioned favorites. Maple-glazed donuts with a nice sprinkling of nuts on top satisfies salty-sweet cravings.

Anderson nightlife consists of neighborhood bars and pubs, the kinds of places to go for a fun night of karaoke, pool or after-work drinks. Both Kroakerheads and Shout's Pub entice residents with fun atmospheres, great food and music, the three ingredients for the ideal neighborhood watering hole.

Like many small towns, Anderson does not offer many public transportation options. The City of Anderson Transit System serves as the city's single outlet for public transportation. The CATS Terminal sits on Main Street in downtown Anderson. Service runs six days a week, Monday through Saturday, except for a handful of major holidays. Other options for transportation include taxi companies but not services such as Uber. Greyhound bus lines and taxi companies each provide different services to residents and visitors of Anderson.

I-69 runs through the southern portion of the city, allowing residents and visitors easy access to Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. The north side of Indianapolis, including areas like Fishers and Castleton, sit within 30 minutes of Anderson's interstate exit. Major thoroughfares, including Indiana State Road 9, run through Anderson and serve as prominent highways for residents of the city.

Sidewalks line much of the downtown area, including many of the small retail clusters scattered about the large-area city. While cyclists may find routes to take, Anderson does not cater to cyclists as it does to drivers.

Anderson Parks and Recreation manages several facilities for kids of all ages and people of every lifestyle. Whether you want to get lost in nature with a quiet hike or prefer a more fast-paced, adventurous outing at a skate park, the city has several options. From fitness-centric parks and programs to natural, unspoiled lands, find what you need at one of the city's many facilities.

Kid-friendly playgrounds and the Canine Companion Corral give you the opportunity to get your two-legged and four-legged friends outside to enjoy what nature has to offer. The Parks and Recreation department also hosts numerous activities and events throughout the year.

If renting suits your lifestyle more than owning your own home, Anderson's selection of apartments may strike your fancy. Median gross rent hits around $675 per month; one-bedroom apartments start around $350 per month and go up from there.

Anderson's low cost of living entices new residents and keeps current ones. The cost of living index comes in slightly lower than Indianapolis, staying around 86; the national index remains at 100.

Anderson's centers of commerce lie in different areas of the city, giving residents of this widespread area multiple choices. Major roads, including SR 9 and 32, house the larger retail areas. Main Street and downtown house smaller retail clusters.

Seasons of the Heart stocks its shelves with unique, one-of-a-kind gifts including home furnishings, ornaments, memorial gifts, custom floral designs and other decor. With old-fashioned service, complimentary gift wrapping and special order capabilities, Seasons of the Heart helps you find the perfect gift. Moneyhun's shelves feature clothing, gourmet foods, jewelry, accessories and hard-to-find collectibles.

For something sweet, Good's Candy Shop delivers. The family owned business' success comes from over one-half century of making candy. With specialty selections of candies and chocolates, fudge, brittles, gourmet snacks and gift baskets, Good's sweetens even the most sour of days.

Anderson residents have an extensive list of grocery stores at their fingertips, most of which are familiar chain stores. Harvest Supermarket, however, has several locations in Anderson and the surrounding area. With 10 locations in the immediate region, Harvest Supermarket is an unsung hero of locally owned businesses.

A few farmers' markets serve the residents of Anderson with fresh produce throughout the growing season. Check out Anderson City Market every Saturday and bring the kids with you to sample homemade goodies and local produce. Visitors to this Anderson tradition at Athletic Park always find something to suit their desires.