It was in this area, originally populated by Native Americans, that the city of Vincennes was established in 1732, the oldest permanent European settlement in what is now Indiana. George Rogers Clark defeated the British at Fort Sackville, February 25, 1779, thus securing control of the Northwest Territory for the United States. As the Northwest Territory evolved into the Indiana Territory, Vincennes became its first capital city in 1800.

This relief sculpture depicts the borders and contours of a raised territory map, forming the features of a Native American man, reflecting the historic role of the Knox County region in American history. The neckpiece of the Native American in this piece doubles as a compass, the needle of which faces northwest.

Designers Jeff Laramore and David Jemerson Young of 2nd Globe, an Indianapolis–based artistic company, designed all 92 of the county sculptures featured on the outside of the Indiana State Museum. Their designs narrate the counties’ famous natives, historically significant events, or their cultural heritage, and were fabricated and installed by various Indiana sculptors, carvers, glassworkers, metal workers, and other artisans.