The Indiana Territory encompassed what is now Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. Vincennes, the oldest city in Indiana, was the territory capital from 1800 to 1813. In 1811, the General Assembly held meetings in the "Red House", a small two-story building, still standing today. After the Illinois Territory was created in 1809, the Indiana Territory was nearly reduced to the current size of Indiana today.

Vincennes was also the first county of Indiana and was the site of Indiana's first Catholic Church, first Presbyterian Church, first bank and first medical society. Vincennes University, founded in 1801 as the Jefferson Academy, is one of the oldest higher education institutions in America. Enjoy spending time in historical Vincennes and southern Indiana, and rest comfortably with Best Western hotels.