Washington County: a southern Indiana wonderland.

• Author: Mayer, Kathy
• Position: REGIONAL REPORT: SOUTH

IT'S BIG--514 SQUARE miles. Gorgeous--a geologic splash of rivers, lakes, caves, hills and forests. And proud--of its heritage, visitor attractions, thriving hardwood industries and potential for business growth.

This is Washington County, Indiana, founded in 1914 and named for President George Washington. About a half-hour from Louisville and an hour-and-a-half from Indianapolis, it's home to some 27,200 people. About a fourth of them live in Salem, the county seat; the rest in 24 small towns, several appropriately ending in "burg."

"This is a very close-knit community," says Salem mayor Judy Chastain. "We have lots of organizations, churches and community-minded people. We all pitch in and help each other."

Clark State Forest, Jackson-Washington State Forest, and county-owned Delaney Park and Lake are favorite outdoor spots, with waterways that include Elk Creek Fishing Area, Lake Salinda, Spurgeon Hollow Lake, and the Blue, Muscatatuck and White rivers.

From April to October, the Salem Speedway pulls in visitors for stock, midget and sprint races sanctioned by the USAC, ARCA, ASA, Midwest and IMCA on what's called the world's fastest half-mile--a 0.55-mile, 33-degree, banked asphalt oval. "It's one of our main event-driven attractions," says Bill Nolting, executive director of the Washington County Economic Growth Partnership.

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Tourism is about to get a new attraction, too, thanks to an infusion of capital from Bill and Gail Cook of Bloomington and The Cook Group, who are helping the Friends of Beck's Mill restore an 1864 corn and wheat grist mill on a 14-acre site. "Restoration is under way," reports Friends president Angela Beanblossom. "It opens in fall 2008 as a tourist and educational center."

The county is also home to the Stevens Memorial Museum, built in 1970 and expanded in 1995. Its features an extensive Civil War collection and replicas of early law and dental offices. And Salem's downtown square is "the prettiest of all the squares," Chastain says. "We have businesses, professional offices, retail, an old-time soda fountain, restaurants with outdoor dining and no empty storefronts."

On the industry side, Nolting reports that about 22 wood-related companies, most small businesses, operate in the county, They range from sawmills to finished-product manufacturers "and companies in between." "Washington County has one of the largest supplies of hardwood in the state, and a good quality poplar that is sought...