Jonesboro, Indiana, is a small town in Grant County with a big passion for motorcycles! The Jonesboro River Rally, one of the largest motorcycle rallies around. In late September each year, the 1,700 Jonesboro residents welcome thousands of motorcycle fans for a weekend filled with family fun, entertainment, food, live music and motorcycles! Visitors come from near and far for this revved up celebration, featuring a huge bike show, a Motorcycle Trapeze High Wire Show and Harley Stunt Riders. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, you must ride to the small town of Jonesboro for this annual unforgettable weekend.
A big namesake motorcycle rally could not have been seen in town’s future when it was settled in the 1800s. Jonesboro was named after its founder, Obadiah Jones, a humble pioneer settler and Quaker minister. Jones would have led the religious services for the small community with the guiding Quaker values of simplicity and peace. Jones was a well-known abolitionist and publisher of the abolitionist paper “The Herald of Freedom.” He helped many African-Americans escape slavery through the Underground Railroad.
Learn all about Jonesboro’s remarkable beginnings and history at the Jonesboro Historical Museum, open Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The museum has a collection of memories and artifacts from town’s early days, agriculture history and Quaker culture. The Jonesboro Historical Museum also tells the story of the Jonesboro River Rally and why this vibrant event means so much to the community and the visitors it hosts each year.
The story of Jonesboro is not complete without the heritage and industry of the Mississinewa River, the source of transportation, economy and outdoor recreation for generations. The museum offers history and the modern story of Jonesboro, a small town that roars for motorcycles and its small town community.
