Fountain County is named for James Fountaine (1757–1790), an officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and the Northwest Indian War. Fontaine was from Virginia and began a military career at an early age. After the Revolutionary War, he moved to Kentucky, where he served as major.

He was killed Oct. 22, 1790, in a battle with the Miami nation, led by Little Turtle, near where the St. Joseph River and St. Marys River merge to form the Maumee River, near modern Fort Wayne.

‘Banks of the Wabash’ not so far away

The Wabash River defines half of Fountain County’s shape, forming the northern and western sides. And while the state song, “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” was written by Paul Dresser, who grew up downstream in Vigo County, the bridge over the Wabash River at Attica bears Dresser’s name.

Grand Ole Opry founder from Fountain County

George Dewey Hay, the founder of the Grand Ole Opry, is one notable native of Fountain County. He was born in Attica in 1895.

After World War I, Hay worked in radio in Chicago before moving to Nashville, where he started the original Grand Ole Opry radio program, from which the country music stage show of the same name evolved.

Hay died in 1968 and was honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1988.

Hometown Spirits

Named after the road it is situated near, Old 55 Distillery (Old55Distillery.com) is an award-winning family business in Newtown offering whiskey and bourbon made from locally sourced grains, plus a tasting room and facility tours.

County Facts

Founded: 1826

Named For:  James Fountaine

Population: 16,351

County seat: Covington

Indiana county number: 23