Boone County, founded on April Fools' Day in 1830, is situated in the center of the state, abutting Indiana's capital, Indianapolis. The first settlers found swampy land overgrown with ancient hardwoods, riddled with rattlesnakes, and teeming with wetland creatures—most famously, frogs. Although life was challenging for the area's first settlers, most persevered. Many chided that Boone was not fit to be included as a part of the fledgling state of Indiana. They dubbed the newly platted area as the "State of Boone" to set it aside from the superior farmland and living conditions found elsewhere in Indiana. Boone County's first census counted 621 persons in 1830. Today, many of the original surnames remain prevalent among a population that exceeds 60,000 residents.
