How Santa Fe Became Santa Claus, IN

Ho ho ho! Riding your motorcycle through Indiana, you might find yourself doing a double take as you emerge from the Hoosier National Forest. 

Motoring through the endless crisscross of flat country roads, you may suddenly find yourself in Santa Claus.

Many places in the U.S. (such as North Pole, AK, and Christmas Cove) have holiday-inspired names, and there’s usually a more or less fascinating story behind them. So, what’s the deal with Santa Claus, IN?

Well, when the town was founded in 1854, it was called Santa Fe. The townsfolk wanted to get mail, so they applied to have a post office set up in the town.

Too bad for them that Santa Fe already existed. I’m not talking about the city in New Mexico, but Santa Fe, IN, located in the north-central part of the Hoosier State.

So, there was really no other option but to rename the town. According to a popular (if possibly a bit embellished) story, it was a cold and stormy Christmas Eve, when the locals gathered at the town church for Christmas service and to decide a new name for their home.

Suddenly, when somebody asked what the place should be called, a strong gust of wind blew open the door. With snow billowing into the church, an excited child called out: “Santa Claus!”

It was a sound suggestion, and that’s how we got Santa Claus, IN.

Santa, Honest Abe, and More

But what is there to do in Santa Claus? You’re not going to believe this, but many local attractions are themed after a certain red-clad gift bringer.