W E L C O M E

A celebration of Tell City's proud Swiss-German heritage

Tell City traces its 150 year old roots to a meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio in November, 1856.   A group of Swiss - German immigrants met there to organize a society known as the "Swiss Colonization Society."  Its 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 square to be surveyed into a city plat.  The group, which was to purchase the land, was told to keep in mind a healthful climate, fertile soil, good water, ample timber, and a location near a navigable river and a railroad, if possible.

Purchase of such a site was made in July, 1857.  The tract, containing 4,152 acres, 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.  For a while it was called Helvetia (a poetic name for Switzerland). Soon afterward the name "Tell City" was substituted as it was easier for English-speaking people to remember and pronounce.  It was named for the legendary Swiss hero and liberator -- Wilhelm Tell.

Indicative of the foresightedness of Tell City's founders are the wide streets.  They are named for great persons of arts, letters, and science:  Washington, Gutenberg, Pestalozzi, Humboldt, Fulton, Schiller, Tell, Mozart, Watt and others.

With 100 years of recorded history, the citizens of Tell City decided to honor the early settlers and the founding of Tell City with a grand celebration.  That centennial celebration was held August 10 to 17, 1958.

After the success of the Centennial, the Tell City Historical Society decided to sponsor a festival in 1959 as an experiment to determine if the community would support an annual celebration.  The festival, appropriately named Schweizer Fest (Swiss Festival), was a great success.

In 1966 management of the festival was placed in the hands of a volunteer group incorporated as a non-profit organization, appropriately called "The Tell City Schweizer Fest, Inc."

Under the guidance of Schweizer Fest, Inc., the Schweizer Fest has become a well-known, community-wide celebration, offering free entertainment and activities for people of all ages.  It is now one of Indiana's longest running community festivals.  The cooperative efforts of many civic groups, clubs, organizations, and businesses make Schweizer Fest the grand success it is.

A hearty welcome!  Join in the fun.  Enjoy the fellowship, food, and festivities of Schweizer Fest.

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