The city of Auburn was founded in 1836 by Wesley Park. The most accepted theory of how the city received its name is after the poem “The Deserted Village” which starts “Sweet Auburn! Loveliest village of the plain…” The most prominent historical business in Auburn was the Auburn Automobile Company which was incorporated in 1903. In 1924, sales were declining and investors hired a young entrepreneur named Errett Lobban Cord to manage the company. He quadrupled the company’s sales and developed it into the 11th largest export company in the United States.

Today, Auburn retains many noteworthy historic structures, including residential, commercial, and municipal properties. Auburn is home to two Art Deco structures, the Auburn Electric & Waterworks, and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Factory, and several architecturally significant houses, including the Dr. Irvin Butchel House, the Old Madden House, and two extraordinary French Eclectic houses.

The Eckhart Public Library and the William H. Willennar Genealogy Center are located on Jackson Street. Water and sewer services are maintained by the city.

Auburn has many unique and interesting recreational activities: two branches of the YMCA, the Skatin’ Station, Radical Outdoor Challenge, the Auburn Recreation Center bowling lanes, Bridgewater Golf Club, the Auburn KOA Campground, NCG Cinemas, and the Auburn-Garrett Drive-in. Auburn’ has several parks and The Auburn Community Pool is located at Eckhart Park. Whispering Pines Lodge, a bed and breakfast, is located on a private 4.6 acre secluded wildlife pond.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival is held every Labor Day. During the Parade of Classics on Saturday, you can see celebrities and many antique automobiles. Cycle Fest is a motorcycle parade that comes to Auburn every first weekend in May at the Kruse Auction Park. The Dekalb County Free Fall Fair takes place at the end of September, with 4-H events at the Dekalb County Fairgrounds and rides, food and games.

Auburn also hosts the annual Garden Walk, Annual Christmas Stroll, Annual Farm Power Show, Just For Fun Cruise-In, Festival of Lights, and the Hoosier Warbirds Fly-In. Auburn is known for three museums that honor the city’s automotive heritage: The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, The National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States, and Kruse Automotive and Carriage Museum. Other museums in the Auburn area include: The WWII Victory Museum and the Hoosier Air Museum.

Click here for more information on the city of Auburn.