Vallonia was settled by the French in the late 1700's. Around 1810, the Indians became belligerent toward the settlers. At that time General William Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana, ordered a fort built to protect the 90 families in the area. As records tell us, there were no actual pictures taken of the fort, but descriptions and specifications of the fort have been preserved in public records.
In 1968, several interested men began talking about rebuilding a replica of the old Fort at their bi-monthly meeting of the local Lions Club. From this, the idea snow-balled. In 1969, the first Fort Vallonia Day celebration brought 3,000 fun seeking folk to little Vallonia. The museum was dedicated and the posts were set to swing the gates for the fort in 1972. The addition of a pavilion with a stage was built in 1985. 1991 brought the completion of the Garrison House in the center of the fort grounds.
Vallonia is justly proud of its heritage that predates the birth of the state. That is why we will be bursting at the seams with people the 3rd weekend in October, at the annual celebration of Fort Vallonia Days. The purpose of the observance is to raise money, with which to maintain the upkeep of the Fort, grounds, museum, and to purchase more property to aid the annual celebration.
This year our festival has great expectations for another huge success. There will be lots of craft booths, food booths, flea markets and entertainment for adult and children alike. Activites include, but are not limited to: Trail Ride, Muzzleloader Shoot, Baby Contest, Parade, Prince / Princess Contest, 5k Walk / Run, Persimmon Pudding Eating Contest, Horseshoe Pitch and Tomahawk / Knife Throw. With crowds estimated as large as 30,000, Fort Vallonia Days is one of the premier fall festivals in southern Indiana!
