"Legendary Johnny Appleseed wandered the Midwest carrying among his apple seeds a single, exotic seed from the golden raintree. Looking for a place where it would flourish and grow, he planted it somewhere in Henry County. Legend has it that those who find the raintree discover the realization of all dreams." - From Raintree County by Ross Lockridge.
New Castle, IN, is the seat of Henry County, and the city tree is the golden raintree mentioned above from Lockridge's historical book (which is set in fictional, Henry-based Raintree County.) At the 2010 Census, New Castle had a population of 18,114 over its 7.32 square miles. Just 44 miles east-northeast of Indianapolis and near Cincinnati, Ohio, New Castle enjoys close proximity to a large cities with the quaint charm of a small-town setting. Are you a historical buff? Get ready for some good news -- an address in New Castle will afford you some serious bragging rights. Henry County is named for famous patriot and Virginia governor Patrick Henry -- famous for his "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech -- and has been around since 1821. This county is also noted as the birthplace of aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright, half of the world-renowned Wright Brothers.
The city of New Castle is full of interesting areas with lots of individual activities and perks, so the tough part is deciding which area best suits your needs and demands
"Legendary Johnny Appleseed wandered the Midwest carrying among his apple seeds a single, exotic seed from the golden raintree. Looking for a place where it would flourish and grow, he planted it somewhere in Henry County. Legend has it that those who find the raintree discover the realization of all dreams." - From Raintree County by Ross Lockridge.
New Castle, IN, is the seat of Henry County, and the city tree is the golden raintree mentioned above from Lockridge's historical book (which is set in fictional, Henry-based Raintree County.) At the 2010 Census, New Castle had a population of 18,114 over its 7.32 square miles. Just 44 miles east-northeast of Indianapolis and near Cincinnati, Ohio, New Castle enjoys close proximity to a large cities with the quaint charm of a small-town setting. Are you a historical buff? Get ready for some good news -- an address in New Castle will afford you some serious bragging rights. Henry County is named for famous patriot and Virginia governor Patrick Henry -- famous for his "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech -- and has been around since 1821. This county is also noted as the birthplace of aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright, half of the world-renowned Wright Brothers.
Neighborhoods
The city of New Castle is full of interesting areas with lots of individual activities and perks, so the tough part is deciding which area best suits your needs and demands.
Forest Ridge: This area of town is primarily filled with doctors and nurses at work, so if you're sickly and prone to catching colds, you're in great hands residing here. The Forest Ridge Medical Pavilion is surrounded by individual doctors' offices and physical rehabilitation practices.
Baker Park: The beautiful scenery of Baker Park is coupled with the convenience of nearby apartment complexes that give you easy access to nature. The park itself has an aquatic center for pool time fun, and the area is close to local restaurants and shopping. Studio apartments and one or two-bedroom rentals are common nearby.
Downtown: The city is keen on preserving its downtown area, so if you're looking for renting an apartment in a building with history, this is your best bet. You'll also have easy access to local businesses, as well as the added convenience of walking.
Moving In
You're sure to find an affordable apartment for rent in New Castle, including townhouses for rent and house rentals, and one-bedroom apartments. No matter what type of residence you're looking for, New Castle has a great variety. Places to live in New Castle abound and suit any housing needs. Keep in mind that you will most likely need first and last month's rent, identification and proof of income to secure the rental you desire.
For interested home-buyers, make sure you've saved up a decent down payment based on your budget. Don't worry about selling half your belongings on eBay, however -- house prices are very reasonable here.
Living in New Castle
Maybe you're a tree hugger married to a proud city dweller. Or a lover of the arts living with a hiking fanatic. Put fears of irreconcilable differences on the shelf -- nature lovers and city dwellers alike will find New Castle ideal for their hobbies and daily living.
Located on the Big Blue River, endless outdoor activities exist, including eight city parks with lots of campground space perfect for toasting marshmallows. Baker's Park features a Native American historical mound and a newly opened aquatic center for water fun.
Whether you're a genuine basketball fanatic, of just a convincing fair weather fan, be prepared to rub New Castle's rich basketball roots in the faces of your friends. The New Castle Fieldhouse is the largest gymnasium in the world, with a whopping 81,000 square feet. In 2004, USA Today named this gymnasium the best in the nation for its beautiful sunken floor design and phenomenal size -- take that Madison Square Garden! Indiana is known for basketball, so it's no surprise that along with New Castle's huge gym comes huge hometown names in basketball: Steve Alford, Kent Benson, Trey Ball, Vern Huffman and Bruce Harris, to name a few.
Sports enthusiasts will definitely want to partake in the kart racing at New Castle Motorsports Park -- a well-known kart racing track owned by former Indoor Racing League driver Mark Dinsmore -- or a trip around the track at the Mt. Lawn Speedway. For a sports history lesson, you can check out the city's Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Food lovers will rejoice with New Castle's selection of restaurants. Enjoy breakfast heaven at Stacks Pancake House, or try pizza at Top Hat Two or Mancino's Pizza and Grinders. Los Amigos offers Mexican fare, and Jack's Donut Shoppe is sure to please when you find yourself needing a pastry fix.
The city is surrounded by agriculture, and residents can partake in the Henry County Farmers Market's wide variety of locally grown produce.
U.S. 40, otherwise known as the Old National Road, can be found along the southern part of Henry County, and Interstate 70 helps accommodate motorists. U.S. Highway 36 and State Road 38 are available for northern excursions from the city. New Castle is also fairly close to the Northern Kentucky area.
Don't have a car? Calm down -- New Castle Transit System does provide public bus transportation. The Connersville Amtrak Station is located within 30 miles on the city, and even closer is the conveniently located New Castle-Henry County Municipal Airport.
Indiana is truly "the crossroads of America," and New Castle is a perfect crossroads itself for historic, rich small town life and neighboring concrete jungle adventures. If you crave the benefits of both, look no farther than New Castle, Indiana.
