The Corydon Historic District possesses exceptional significance as the political cradle of Indiana, serving as the focal point of the transition from territory to statehood. Established in 1808, Corydon became the second capital of the Indiana Territory in 1813 and subsequently served as Indiana's first state capital from 1816 until the seat of government was relocated to Indianapolis in 1825. In June 1816, forty-three delegates convened in Corydon to draft the state's first constitution, famously holding sessions beneath the shade of the "Constitution Elm" to escape the summer heat. The physical centerpiece of this political legacy is the Corydon Capitol, a modest yet dignified Federal-style limestone building constructed between 1814 and 1816 that housed the early state legislature and supreme court.

Beyond its monumental association with early state government, the district comprises an remarkably intact collection of 19th-century architecture that reflects Corydon's evolution into a prosperous county seat. The district's layout retains its original grid pattern and public square, punctuated by outstanding examples of Federal, Greek Revival, and late-Victorian design. Key contributing properties include the Governor's Headquarters (home to Governor Jonathan Jennings), the Federal-style Posey House, and the restored Kintner House Inn. Together, these well-preserved residential, commercial, and civic structures create a cohesive historic streetscape that vividly conveys the administrative, social, and economic life of an early Midwestern frontier community.