Homes for Sale in Crane, Indiana

Crane is a town in Martin County which was named in 1943 for William M. Crane, the first head of the Navy’s Bureau of Ordnance. Crane Naval Base started development during World War II in 1940. It was one of many government production facilities across the Hoosier state and started as a naval weapons depot. Our realtors can help you find a home in town as well as in the general area. Give us a call and schedule an appointment today. We can show you beautiful homes that are for sale in this area.

Crane Area Homes

Crane is 27 miles southwest of Bloomington and 72 miles southwest of Indianapolis. This town, as well as Martin County in general, has taken numerous initiatives to quickly move into the 21st century. Therefore, the area is quite progressive, and there are many opportunities for those who are willing to take advantage of what is offered. Please consider moving to this lovely location so you can benefit both from what nature has to offer and as well as the abundance of opportunities. We would be happy to help you with your real estate needs.

Shopping and Dining

While there are very few establishments in Crane itself (other than Village Pizza and Lonely Night Saloon of course), there are many other restaurant choices in surrounding cities and towns. Bo-Mac's Drive-In in Shoals has a full menu including delicious breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, and the restaurant is a regional favorite. Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant in Loogootie uses old-fashioned Amish recipes and serve great food with a great view of West Boggs Lake. Velma’s Diner in Shoals is regionally famous for their meatloaf, catfish, and roast beef Manhattans – this is home cooking at its finest. The Lodge Restaurant of Loogootee offers elegant dining in a lodge-like setting. Those hungry for pizza and other Italian food can stop at Pizza Junction or Faytastic Pizza. There are several retail stores as well as restaurants in the county including general merchandise and specialty stores.

Culture and Entertainment

There are many things to do in Martin County and in the Crane area. Those who visit attractions can spend time learning more about the history of the area and taking in the more notable, magnificent geological sites and scenic views.

History buffs will be interested in the Martin County Museum, located in the old court house in Shoals, the museum opens a view of the valley and the town of Shoals. Unique in architecture and design, the building is also historically significant. Houghton House, the home of Major William Houghton, a Civil War veteran, was built around 1835. One of the two stage coach houses in Martin County, the Houghton House was also part of the Underground Railroad. Routt House, built in 1832, was the first stage coach stop on the New Albany-Vincennes Trace in the mid-1800s. Historic bridges throughout Martin County are part of its charm as well.

The incredible natural geological rock formation, Jug Rock, is the largest free-standing table rock formation in the United States east of the Mississippi River. Its overall dimension is sixty feet high and twenty feet in diameter. Jug Rock stands alone with no adjacent ledge; it’s known as a “stand rock” and is classified as one of the most puzzling formations in the United States.

House Rock is an imposingly large cave-like structure that opens up into a huge teepee made of giant stones. Beaver Bluffs are 100 feet of pure Mansfield sandstone. This stunning sight runs between the bluffs and scenic White River. McBride’s Bluffs and many other interesting ledges and bluffs that run throughout much of Martin County surprise and delight area visitors. It is no wonder the area is referred to as the Smokey Mountains of Martin County.

Careers and Industry

The $2 billion Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) represents the county’s largest employer, drawing more than 4,000 scientists, engineers, and technical professionals daily from more than 40 counties across southern Indiana. The base, which serves all branches of the U.S. military and Homeland Security operations, is the Navy’s third largest base in the world. The 100-square-mile facility occupies one-third of Martin County. NSWC Crane is 90% civilian. The base seeks to outsource as much high-end technical work as possible to promote highly efficient operations.

The county’s second largest industry taps the region’s rich geological composition. Both National Gypsum and US Gypsum operate plants near Shoals. The West Gate at Crane is the first multi-county technology park in the state of Indiana and is described by Purdue University as “the single best opportunity for the direct commercialization of technology in Indiana.” Sherfick Music Company, specializing in operating juke boxes, is one of the largest companies of its kind in the Midwest.

Schools

North Daviess Community Schools is in rural southwestern Indiana and the northern portion of Daviess County located off the I-69 and Highway 58 exit. North Daviess Elementary School serves Grades K-6 and the North Daviess Junior/Senior High School teaches Grades 7-12. This school district offers a small school community-based education with global 21^st century opportunities.

Martin County has taken the initiative to provide its citizens educational advancement opportunities through the Community Learning Center, offering “face to face” classes as well as distance learning in a wide range of disciplines through partnerships with major public and private universities.

Additionally, there are seven colleges within a 75-mile radius of Crane: Indiana University (Bloomington), Vincennes University (Vincennes), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute), Indiana State University (Terre Haute), DePauw University (Greencastle), St. Mary of the Woods (West Terre Haute), and Indiana University-Southeast (New Albany).