Tell City, Indiana
Tell City is a city of 7,505 people in Perry County, Indiana, founded in July 1857.
Why visit Tell City
Townapedia lists 6 museums and landmarks, 11 parks and trails, 18 places to eat, 3 places to stay and 4 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Bob Cummings – Lincoln Trail Bridge, Cinema 66, Cannelton Cotton Mill and Cannelton Historic District.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85°F; January lows average 26°F.
Weather in Tell City
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Tell City
Tell City is a city in and the county seat of Perry County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 7,506 at the 2020 census.
From the Wikipedia article Tell City, Indiana (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do4
Bob Cummings – Lincoln Trail Bridge
Bridge · 3.5 mi
Bridge in Hawesville, Kentucky
Museums and landmarks6
Cannelton Cotton Mill
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
National Historic Landmark in Cannelton, Indiana, United States
Cannelton Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Historic district in Indiana, United States
Hancock County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
County courthouse in Hawesville, Kentucky
Nester House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.8 mi
Hotel
Robert C. Beauchamp House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
Historic house in Kentucky, United States
Tell City Oddfellows' Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Building in Indiana, United States
Parks, trails and playgrounds11
Restaurants and cafes18
Pizza Hut
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.0 mi
124 State Road 66, Tell City
Su-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-24:00
The Patio Steak House
Restaurant · Steak House · 2.1 mi
3120 US Highway 66 East
Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:00-15:00
The Freezer
Restaurant · Diner · 0.6 mi
Su-Th 04:30-19:00; Fr-Sa 00:00-24:00
Tokyo Express
Restaurant · Chinese, Sushi · 1.6 mi
619 State Road 66
6 more on the map.
History
Tell City traces its 150+ year old roots to a meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio in November 1856. A group of Swiss-German immigrants met in Cincinnati to organize a society known as the "Swiss Colonization Society." The society's purpose was to obtain affordable homesteads for mechanics, shopkeepers, factory workers, and small farmers in a location where all could live in harmony.
The Society decided to purchase a tract of land three miles (5 km) square to be surveyed as a city plot. The group was sent out to purchase the land and told to keep in mind they should find a healthful climate, fertile soil, good water, ample timber, as well as a location near a navigable river and a railroad, if possible. Purchase of a suitable site was made in July 1857. The tract, containing 4,152 acres (16.80 km2), was laid out in 392 town blocks with 7,328 building lots and 294 garden lots.
Before the settlers arrived, a name for the new town was selected. Initially called Helvetia, it was soon renamed Tell City, a name easier to pronounce and remember for English-speaking people. It was named for the legendary Swiss hero and liberator, William Tell.
From the History section of Tell City, Indiana on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay3
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Motel and hotel · 1.2 mi
310 Orchard Hill Drive, Tell City
Churches and places of worship6
Immaculate Conception Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Shopping4
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries10
Healthcare2
Map of Tell City
66 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40°F | 26°F | 3.7 in |
| Feb | 45°F | 28°F | 3.5 in |
| Mar | 54°F | 36°F | 4.7 in |
| Apr | 66°F | 45°F | 5.3 in |
| May | 74°F | 55°F | 5.8 in |
| Jun | 82°F | 64°F | 5.0 in |
| Jul | 85°F | 67°F | 4.1 in |
| Aug | 85°F | 66°F | 3.0 in |
| Sep | 79°F | 58°F | 3.7 in |
| Oct | 68°F | 47°F | 3.9 in |
| Nov | 55°F | 37°F | 3.9 in |
| Dec | 44°F | 30°F | 4.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Tell City (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Perry County has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-08-15: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2025-07-22: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2020-04-03: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-05-04: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Huntingburg Airport (HNB) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 23 miles away.
- Cannelton 3 mi south, about 5 min by car
- Santa Claus 15 mi northwest, about 23 min by car
- Rockport 17 mi west, about 27 min by car
- Ferdinand 20 mi north, about 32 min by car
- Dale 20 mi northwest, about 32 min by car
- Owensboro 24 mi southwest, about 38 min by car
- Huntingburg 26 mi northwest, about 43 min by car
- Boonville 30 mi west, about 48 min by car
- Jasper 32 mi north, about 52 min by car
- Chandler 34 mi west, about 55 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Tell City, Indiana Town Hall, Henry the heron at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- Tell City High School, 2022, K-Johnson 127, CC BY-SA 4.0
- City Hall in Tell City, Nyttend, Public domain
- Perry County Courthouse, Tell City, Nyttend, Public domain
- Hancock County, Kentucky courthouse, W.marsh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Robert C. Beauchamp Farm, Nyttend, Public domain
- St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Cannelton, Nyttend, Public domain
- Perry County Old Courthouse and Museum, Sarah Ewart, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Tell City Oddfellows' Lodge from southeast, Nyttend, Public domain
- River Valley Behavioral Health in Hawesville, Nyttend, Public domain
- Nester House in Troy, Nyttend, Public domain
- Cannelton Cotton Mill1, Holly Ramsey from Boothwyn, PA, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Bob Cummings Lincoln Trail Bridge, Ryan Emmick, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Marble Orb Weaver- Pumpkin Spider (53267973091), usfs_Eastern_Region, Public domain
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