Covington offers two distinct focuses for a stay: time in the public park and insight into the history of the city and county. Covington Park & Recreation offers a large public park with paths for walking and running, as well as a public swimming pool. The historic side includes the Covington Residential Historic District, the Courthouse Square Historic District, the murals in the Fountain County Courthouse, and a collection on the history of Fountain County. You can plan your stay around your interest in outdoor recreation, architecture, or regional history.

Park Paths and Swimming Pool

The park offers a different focus from the historic districts: its paths are intended for walking and running. If you want to spend time outdoors, both are concrete options. The park paths complement the architectural and historical themes with outdoor recreation. A public swimming pool is also available. Before your trip, check whether it will be open during your visit, as it may operate seasonally.

Residential District and Architectural Styles

The Covington Residential Historic District encompasses approximately 21 blocks in the northern and eastern parts of the city, north and east of the historic business district. Its houses date from the early 19th to the early 20th century, and the district also includes several public buildings. It features a broad range of architectural styles that were common during this period. As a result, no single, clearly defined style stands out. Its architectural appeal lies instead in the mix of building types from a long period. Those interested in the development of residential architecture will find a different focus here than at the historic business and seat of government.

Business District, Seat of Government, and Art

The Covington Courthouse Square Historic District offers a different historical perspective. It encompasses Covington’s historic business district and the historic seat of government of Fountain County. The contrast with the Residential Historic District is clear: there, the focus is on homes and their architectural styles; here, it is on the business district and the history of the seat of government. The districts thus explore Covington’s past through different themes—residential architecture on one hand, and commercial and governmental heritage on the other.

The Fountain County Courthouse is an artistic landmark in Covington. Its historic murals cover more than 2,500 square feet of wall space. They depict westward exploration, as well as the expansion and settlement of the United States and western Indiana. The subjects bring national and regional connections together, complementing the architecture and local history with depictions of exploration and settlement.

Fountain County History

The Fountain County Clerk's Building & Museum features a collection on the history of Fountain County, with a focus on the period from 1826 to 1926. This period provides a clear historical framework for the county’s history. Unlike the districts, whose character is shaped by residential architecture, commercial life, and the seat of government, the collection focuses on a particular period in the county’s past. It offers an additional perspective on the region’s history alongside Covington’s architectural and artistic themes.

Explore more destinations: Clinton.

View the broader travel overview: Vermillion County.