Our History

 Campbellsburg was platted during 1851 and occupies an area of exactly one square mile. In 1849, John Pollard hired a surveyor to plot out several lots along where the tracks for the railroad would run.  He named the new town Buena Vista, the name given in honor of 4 local men who had been killed in the Battle of Buena Vista in the Mexican-American War.  In 1850, the first lot was sold to Robert Campbell, and he laid out nine more lots to the southeast of Buena Vista – the Campbell Addition. The railroad depot was built in 1851.  By 1854, a post office was established, and Mr. Campbell chose to rename the town “Campbellsburg” because there was already an existing “Buena Vista” post office elsewhere.

At the turn of the century Campbellsburg was thriving with various stores, sawmill, flour mill, doctors, dentist, and a stockyard. Campbellsburg thrived through the years.  Batt Canning Factory operated from 1914 through 1935. Then there was Rider Packing Company, one of the town’s success stories. Such as - 20,000 gallons of dewberries and blackberries were shipped out of the town each summer. In the year 1943, due to WW II,  the Company experienced a shortage of workers, so in September and October of 1943, junior and senior high school students were released from school early to work at canning tomatoes.  Campbellsburg High School was built in 1912 and continued until 1964. Campbellsburg was still a booming small town in 1951.  At that time it had 40 businesses, including 5 service stations, 4 grocery stores, and 3 restaurants.

In 1960 the population was 612, a decrease from 1950. Business decline began with the rerouting of State Road 60 away from downtown in 1958, the Monon depot closed in 1960, Rider Packing Company closed in 1962, and the Campbellsburg High School was closed in 1964, after the consolidation of the local schools to form the West Washington School Corporation in 1963. The West Washington High School, is located 5 miles south of Town, was built and completed in 1964, with the first class to attend that fall, graduating in the spring of 1965.

Efforts to improve the town as a business location continued with natural gas installation in 1960, and the present water and sewer system in 1964. Campbellsburg has a Post Office and serves the Town and 2 rural routes.  The new post office was built in 1966. By 1975, the number of business places dropped to 20.  Helsel Metallurgical, Inc, came to town in 1976 and became the major employer. By 1990, the population was only 606.  The present estimated population is 590 persons. The businesses in Town are the Campbellsburg Hardware, Campbellsburg Food Mart, and Dollar General Store, all located on State Highway 60. The factory established in 1976 is still in operation, it is now Netshape Technologies. Also, there is a Beauty Shop, Jimmy’s Tavern, there are presently 4 churches, and Green’s Woodworking & Glass is just outside of town on Suder Lane. The Town has 4 historic homes that modeled the design of the acclaimed architect George F. Barber, built by John T.C. Wilkins and son in the 1860 to 1890 period. Mr. Wilkins was a prominent local merchant that owned the town’s original grist mill.

The welcome to Campbellsburg signs located on the East and West sides of Town, shows the pictures of 2 of his homes. The 4 homes remain today, with 3 homes being occupied by Town residents. Indiana Landmarks purchased the Wilkins house on Sycamore street in 2023, and is currently in the process of restoring the house and surrounding buildings to its original design. The Monon South rails to trails travels through the center of Town.  Once busy with trains going through daily, but now just a shadow of something new coming.