Constitution Elm Stump
The preserved remains of the historic tree that sheltered the drafting of Indiana's first constitution in 1816.
The Constitution Elm Stump is a unique historical landmark in Corydon, Indiana, marking the site where the state's foundational laws were written. In June 1816, 43 delegates convened in Corydon to draft Indiana's first constitution. Sweltering summer heat inside the original log cabin capitol forced the proceedings outdoors, where the delegates met for nine days under the shade of a massive elm tree.
Once a biological giant standing 50 feet tall with a branch spread of 132 feet, the original tree succumbed to Dutch Elm disease in 1925. Recognizing its immense historical value, the community moved to preserve what remained. The trunk was treated with coal tar and creosote to arrest decay, transforming the natural organism into a permanent monument.
Today, the stump is encased in a protective sandstone structure built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1937. It stands as a testament to both the birth of Indiana statehood and early 20th-century conservation efforts to maintain physical links to the past.
Key Facts
- Location: 200 W High St, Corydon, IN 47112
- Significance: Site of 1816 Constitution Drafting
- Tree Type: Elm (Ulmus americana)
- Original Size: 50 ft tall, 132 ft spread
- Monument Built: 1937 (WPA Project)
- Custodian: Indiana State Museum
Notable Features & Attributes
WPA Sandstone Shelter
In 1937, the Works Progress Administration constructed a permanent sandstone shelter around the stump using local stone, a hallmark of New Deal-era historical preservation.
Preservation Methods
Following its death in 1925, the trunk was treated with coal tar and creosote to prevent rot. The Indiana State Museum continues active maintenance to protect the wood from insect infestation.
Historical Context
The site commemorates the practical ingenuity of Indiana's founders, who moved their deliberations outdoors to escape the stifling heat of the log cabin capitol.
Cultural Legacy
After the tree died, its wood was repurposed into souvenirs, including commemorative gavels used by dignitaries, dispersing pieces of the landmark throughout the state.
Visitor Information
Access & Hours The Constitution Elm Stump is located at 200 W High St in downtown Corydon. It functions as an open-air roadside attraction and is accessible to the public 24 hours a day with free admission.
On-Site Experience Visitors can view the preserved trunk within its stone enclosure. Informative plaques provide historical details about the 1816 constitutional convention and the tree's biology.
Nearby Amenities The landmark is a short walk from the original Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, allowing visitors to easily tour the building where the delegates initially met before moving under the elm.
Local Context & Connections
The monument is an integral part of the Corydon Historic District, celebrating the town's tenure as Indiana's first state capital.
History & Background
The Constitution Elm was a massive American elm tree in Corydon, Indiana — the state's first capital — under which Indiana's first constitutional convention met in the summer of 1816 to draft the state constitution. Indiana was admitted to the Union on December 11, 1816, as the 19th state. The elm tree provided shade during the June and July sessions while the constitutional convention worked in the heat, as the permanent statehouse was not yet completed. The tree itself became a living monument to Indiana's founding.
The Constitution Elm survived for over a century after the convention, becoming one of Indiana's most beloved historical landmarks. The tree died in 1925, a victim of disease and age, but the stump was preserved under a sandstone shelter built by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The stump — now approximately 200 years old — remains a tangible connection to the moment Indiana became a state. The preserved stump reminds visitors that history exists in physical objects and places, not just documents and monuments.
Corydon served as Indiana's territorial and then state capital from 1813 to 1825, when the capital was relocated to the more centrally positioned Indianapolis. The Harrison County seat retains extraordinary historical character from its early statehood period. The Constitution Elm Stump is part of a cluster of significant historical sites in Corydon, including the original statehouse and Governor Hendricks's Headquarters. Together, these sites make Corydon one of Indiana's richest small-town historical destinations.
Nearby Attractions
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
The original Indiana statehouse, completed in 1816, still stands in Corydon and is open for tours. The Federal-style limestone building served as the seat of state government for nine years. It is the oldest surviving statehouse in the Midwest and one of the best-preserved early statehouses in the country. Tours explain the Indiana constitutional convention and early statehood period.
Squire Boone Caverns
Located south of Corydon, these caves were discovered by Squire Boone — brother of Daniel Boone — in 1790. Squire Boone later returned to mill grain using an underground stream and is buried in the cavern at his request. Guided tours explore the caves' geological formations including stalactites, stalagmites, and an underground waterfall. A working gristmill and pioneer village are part of the experience above ground.
Marengo Cave National Landmark
One of Indiana's most spectacular caves, Marengo features two distinct cave systems — Crystal Palace and Dripstone Trail — with excellent stalactite and stalagmite formations. The cave was discovered in 1883 by two children exploring the hillside. It became a commercial attraction the same year and has operated continuously since, making it one of the oldest commercial caves in the Midwest.