Evansville, Indiana - with the close proximity, does it feel a bit like Kentucky? (Louisville: live)

[Tiger Beer]

Evansville, Indiana - with the close proximity, does it feel a bit more like Kentucky?

Seems to be sitting right on that border, with its major roads going east-to-west (rather than north towards Indinapolis). Seems like there would be a Louisville and St. Louis connection with Evansville.

Or to people in Kentucky, does Evansville Indiana just seem very decidedly 'Indiana' or 'Midwestern'?

[tomocox]

The old joke about Evansville is, "Indiana wants to give it away, Kentucky won't take it, and Illinois can't afford it."

[kygman]

Evansville is where a lot of people in the Kentucky counties nearby go for shopping, partying, etc. I'd rather stay south of the river. Less chance of being run over by somebody who just doesn't care and, really, friendlier people in Ky. When I lived in Union County Evansville was usually where we went the weekend after payday. lol More choices than around us or in Henderson or Harrisburg, Ill (where some Union Countians went to grocery shop),

Tomocox, that has me thinking of all the Hoosier jokes we used to tell. You know why everybody in Evansville were happy to see the twin bridges across the Ohio River were built? Now they can swim to Kentucky in the shade!

Know what you call pretty women in Indiana?
Tourists

I'll hush now.

[tomocox]

Did you hear about the Hoosiers who all drowned when their pickup ran into the river and they couldn't get the tailgate down?

Yes, there are hundreds of fun, non-threatening jokes Kentuckians and Hoosiers dis each other with. Lots of laughter and great fun. Most of these are usually told around the kitchen table too.

[censusdata]

While not a huge difference I always sense a difference in the people and landscape in general btw Southern Indiana and adjacent areas of Kentucky - the exception being the northern parts of Kentucky (draw a line from Carrollton to Sadieville to Maysville) which to me feel very similar to Southern Indiana/ Ohio. I find the built landscape in Kentucky to be generally much cleaner with more effort given to asthetics while Southern Indiana (whether Evansville or Jeffersonville) tend to be very gritty and industrial. The people tend to be less friendly ("gruff" is the word I use) and the drivers more aggressive also, not in a huge way but it is noticable.

[justinb386]

Could you tell me if Evansville has a pretty downtown? How big is the downtown? Is it historical?

[alicewray]

Evansville is flat with more trees cleared for farming. Just over the bridge in Henderson it's hilly and wooded and wilder. The downtown has some nice Victorians and Craftsman bungalows. It's not much more exciting than any other town in the region. There's serious boosterism to the local culture. But you really have to travel to Louisville or Bloomington for actual nightlife.

Their demographics are significantly German-American, so tending toward clean, if emotionally constipated. Nice people, even if they enjoy the lazy ego boost from not being Kentuckians a little too much. IMHO, we Kentuckians are more free in our emotions, but with a more deferential culture. But it varies, and only my opinion in the first place.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by justinb386

Could you tell me if Evansville has a pretty downtown? How big is the downtown? Is it historical?

Not pretty. Small. Somewhat historical. You will end up traveling to Louisville, Bloomington, Indy, or Saint Louis for culture, restaurants, and nightlife. All in all it has a bit of everything and some nice street festivals with a strong German heritage, as stated.