Indiana state stone

The Indiana state stone is a limestone cube weighing around 85 pounds, mounted on a rotating wooden base in the Statehouse between the Senate and House chambers. Metal casters beneath the oak base allow visitors to spin the block in any direction to view all four inscribed surfaces.

The state legislature officially designated limestone as Indiana's state stone in 1971 through a formal resolution. This choice recognized the material's deep roots in the state's economy and regional heritage.

Each face of the limestone cube displays inscriptions that tell visitors about Indiana's quarrying industry and its importance to the region. These engravings connect the stone to local livelihoods and traditions that shaped the state.

The stone is displayed in an accessible public area of the Statehouse and can be viewed at any time during building hours. The rotating mechanism is intuitive to use and encourages visitors to examine the inscriptions on every side.

The limestone came from a quarry near Oolitic and was cut using contemporary diamond saw technology to achieve precise dimensions. What makes it notable is how this ordinary construction material was elevated to symbolic status.

Location: Indianapolis

GPS coordinates: 39.76861,-86.16278

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:46