Ask someone from the area what Goshen is known for, and the answer usually starts with its downtown — for good reason.
A downtown that never got hollowed out
Goshen's Historic District, established in 1983, covers about 45 city blocks of storefronts dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s — still in daily commercial use, not preserved as a museum piece. In 2017, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce named Goshen the state's Community of the Year, largely on the strength of that downtown. Locals call it the Maple City.
Its place in the RV corridor
Goshen sits inside the Elkhart–Middlebury–Goshen corridor, commonly cited as producing the great majority of North America's recreational vehicles. Thor Industries is headquartered in Elkhart, with Forest River, Keystone RV, Lippert Components, and Jayco all operating within a short drive of Goshen itself.
Goshen College
The city is also home to Goshen College, a private liberal arts college that anchors both the local economy and a meaningful part of the community's character.
The historic architecture underneath it all
Six Goshen properties sit on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Elkhart County Courthouse and the Goshen Carnegie Public Library — both downtown, both worth finding on a walk through the district.
For more on what that downtown actually looks like day to day, see Downtown Goshen, Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most visible thing about Goshen?
Its Historic District — about 45 city blocks of storefronts still in daily commercial use, which helped earn Goshen the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's Community of the Year in 2017. Locals call it the Maple City.
What college is in Goshen?
Goshen College, a private liberal arts college that anchors both the local economy and a meaningful part of the community's character.
What RV manufacturers operate near Goshen?
Thor Industries is headquartered in Elkhart, with Forest River, Keystone RV, Lippert Components, and Jayco all operating within a short drive of Goshen.
