By Nicole Thomas

Scott County honors its pioneer past at the Scott County Heritage Center and Museum, located in the former Scott County Poor Farm. Established in the late 19th century, the poor farm provided shelter and care for those unable to support themselves because of economic hardship or disabilities before modern social welfare programs existed. Residents would harvest crops, tend gardens, manage household chores, and make or repair clothing and furniture.

GOT GOAT MILK?

Since 2005, the Jonas family has raised a herd of dairy goats on their farm in Scottsburg. This family of 10’s mission is to educate visitors about goats and goat milk’s many uses. At their farm store, Goat Milk Stuff, the Jonases sell soaps, lip balms, lotions, and more skin care products made from their goats’ extra milk. They also offer personalized recommendations on which goat milk products can help different skin types, like dry or oily skin, and skin conditions, like eczema or rosacea. Additionally, the Jonases offer a behind-the-scenes tour of their working dairy farm and an experience where visitors can meet and snuggle with the farm’s baby goats.

LAKE LIFE, HARDY STYLE

Hardy Lake — Indiana’s only state reservoir not created for flood control — maintains a stable water level year-round, which benefits its shoreline, fishing, and wildlife. Hardy Lake also features one of the Indiana Department of Natural Resource’s raptor centers. The Dwight R. Chamberlain Raptor Center cares for injured birds of prey and educates visitors about hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures. The Raptor Center’s name honors Dwight R. Chamberlain, a Scottsburg resident and conservationist known for his research on crows and ravens.

NATURE’S SWEET BLOOMS

Open July through October, Knobstone Flower Farm in Scottsburg has over 5 acres of sunflowers, 11 acres of wildflowers, a nature trail winding around the flower fields, and a 3-acre lake. Visitors can create custom bouquets at the farm’s You-Pick flower experience with blooms like zinnias and celosias. Knobstone Flower Farm also sells honey harvested from its bees, who collect nectar from the farm’s buckwheat cover crops. Throughout the year, the farm hosts events, including its recent Sunflower Music Festival with food trucks, live music performances, and yard games, like cornhole and croquet.

Nicole Thomas is a freelance writer from Indianapolis.

COUNTY FACTS

FOUNDED: 1820

NAMED FOR: General Charles Scott, the governor of Kentucky from 1808 to 1812

POPULATION: 24,384

COUNTY SEAT: Scottsburg

INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 72