Vermillion County Heritage
The name, "Vermillion," has a history that dates to the time of the Miami Indians. They named the red earth along the banks of today's Little and Big Vermillion River, "pe-auk-e-shaw." It is thought that the Indians located this earth while burning brush and weeds. This fire burned the shale which surfaced a coal and produced the red color. Translated in French, "pe-auk-e-shaw," means Vermillion, a color of red not as bright as scarlet. In 1824, Vermillion County became Indiana's 51st county. This county is bounded on the east by the Wabash River and on the west by the Illinois State line. Known as the long, skinny county, Vermillion County is seven miles wide by 37 miles long.
Vermillion County Courthouse
Vermillion County Historical Society
220 E Market Street
Box 273
Newport, IN 47966
President: Diann C. McIntosh
