When William Conner opened his trading post in 1802, it was the only one in all of central Indiana. Times changed fast though and eight years later, Conner and several businessmen selected the land that would become Indianapolis, the new state capitol.

By the mid 1820s, nearby Noblesville, northeast of Indianapolis, was already beginning to flourish. Conner's homestead is now the Conner Prairie Pioneer Settlement, an open air living history museum just south of Downtown Noblesville and while it reminds visitors of what once was, Noblesville, a thriving community showcases what is now.

But Noblesville, named by Family Circle magazine as "One of Ten Best Towns in United States for Families!" in August, 2009, hasn't jettisoned the past. Instead, this charming city, centered around its large historic district with 53 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, both honors its heritage while offering plenty of up to date attractions as well.