Parke County, Indiana
Parke County sits in the western part of the state. Known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World,” this western Indiana county boasts 31 historic covered bridges.
Rockville, the county seat, comes alive every October for the Covered Bridge Festival. But Parke County is more than just old bridges. It’s where the flat farmlands of central Indiana start to get a little wrinkly.
That’s right—it has surprising hills and ravines. Turkey Run State Park features deep canyons and hemlock groves. People enjoy canoeing on Sugar Creek and moving at their own pace.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Parke County |
| County Seat | Rockville |
| Etymology | Named after Benjamin Parke, a U.S. District Judge and territorial delegate |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Rockville, Montezuma, Marshall, Rosedale, Bloomingdale, Mecca, Bellmore, Bridgeton |
| Interstates and Highways | US-36, US-41, IN-59, IN-163, IN-236 |
| FIPS Code | 18-121 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 450 square miles (Land: 445 sq mi, Water: 5 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Fountain County (North), Montgomery County (Northeast), Putnam County (Southeast), Clay County (South), Vigo County (Southwest), Vermillion County (West) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
| Population | 16,000 (estimated) |
| State | Indiana |
| Coordinates | 39.7647° N, 87.2137° W |
| Major Landmarks | Turkey Run State Park, Shades State Park, Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, Bridgeton Covered Bridge, Mansfield Roller Mill |
