History

Petersburg, Indiana is the county seat of Pike County and was founded in 1817, just one year after Indiana became a state. Pike County was the first county established in Indiana. Just 17 years prior, only Indians and  buffalo inhabited the area. It was then and still is a very good farming area. Later the discovery of coal and oil deposits added to our prosperity. Around 1850, construction began on the historic Wabash and Erie Canal. A depot was located on Petersburg's Main Street that stood until the mid 1980's.

Petersburg stands on the historic Buffalo Trace and Lincoln Heritage Trails. Both historical routes are recognized in Indiana. Around 1860, the railroads came with passenger service, and again the area became a beehive of activity. The passenger cars have disappeared but coal, corn, and other goods still travel the old New York Central line now operated by the Indiana Southern Railroad. At least one home in Petersburg, The Goodlet-Morgan Home, was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Many a slave passed through our community on their way to freedom. After World War I and the roaring twenties, we felt the impact of the nationwide Depression; but local affects were less, due to the diversity of employment plus the frugality and work ethics of our people.

Our community landscape began to take a permanent change in the 1960's when our rich coal deposits allowed for the construction of two power generation stations just north of Petersburg at the forks of the White River. The Indianapolis Power and Light Company opened a power plant that has grown since then to employ around 300 workers and produces around 1800 megawatts of electricity. The Petersburg Generating Station provides 75% of the power to the city of Indianapolis. Indiana's Rural Electric Cooperative constructed the second plant with the addition of the Hoosier Energy, Frank E. Ratts Generating Station. This station produces 200 megawatts of electricity that is used by electric cooperatives throughout Indiana.

Petersburg is proud of one of our most famous residents, baseball great, Gil Hodges. Gil grew up on Main Street in Petersburg where he excelled in high school athletics. Gil gained fame as the quiet but powerful first baseman for the Brooklyn and later the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gil (known locally as "Bud") Hodges continued his success as the manager of the 1969 New York "Miracle" Mets. Though Gil has never been inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, locals remain optimistic and insistent that he is deserving of that honor. The Highway 57 bridge over the White River north of Petersburg bears Hodges' name. Tourists to the area can also see the bronze bust of Hodges which stands in the courthouse rotunda.

Petersburg has had its ups and downs, but has always bounced back. In 1990 a tornado devastated the city. But Petersburg again came back stronger than ever. Today the small city remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.