Visit Russiaville Howard Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Russiaville, Indiana: An interesting place for Russian culture and history! Visit the Russian-American Museum or Russiaville Park. Eat in the traditional cuisine of the Slavic Inn restaurant. Experience the annual Russian-American festivals in summer!
Honestly, if you think Indiana has only corn fields and endless highways, then you've never heard of Russiaville. The city was founded in 1852, named after the then still young Russianville Township, and has survived more than a few small scandals since then – from the railway that once formed the backbone, to today's Highway 31, which takes you into the heart of Howard County, when you arrive by car. For the first time I reached the place over the B-25 route, because I couldn't find a bus name, and that was a little victory for me.
I don't quite understand the hype about the rural idyll, but what I really like here is the mix of historical simplicity and a slightly cynical charm that the locals – and I – can hardly hide. The old brick building at the main square tells about a time when life went even slower, and this is almost a luxury today. If you ask yourself how to move away, just take the car; parking is practically a free ticket, and the bike? Well, that's for those who like to stumble over cobblestones.
A short trip to the old town hall, which today serves as a community centre, is a must for me – not because it is a museum, but because the walls there whisper stories that no guide can ever catch properly. And yes, this is one of the few points where I really take “Russiaville Sights” seriously because they give me a piece of real Indiana authenticity that I only know from film sets.
So, if you ask me, the first thing I want to show you in Russiaville, this is Russiaville Historical Museum. The old school building that is under there is not only a relic from the 1900s, but a real treasure full of photos, old school books and a few dusty tools that almost let you believe you have just landed in a time machine. I met my big aunt there the other day, who still lived in the 60s in the city – she told me that the museum is actually just a hobby project of local historians, but the result is really great. Parking is usually easy, a small parking lot behind the museum is enough, only Saturdays, when the annual autumn festival starts, this becomes a real problem.
Directly next to the museum, the old grain silo along the County Road 300 E. I don't quite understand the hype about huge industrial plants, but this gnarly, rusty monstrum has somehow charm – especially at sunset when the light breaks through the shingles. There is no official visitor area, so just drive by car, shoot a photo and move on. A short trip to the nearby field path leads you to a small viewpoint from which you can see the whole town.
If you are looking for a place to represent your legs, then the Russiaville Community Park That's right. The park has a baseball court, a few basketball basketball baskets and a playground that looks more like a mini adventure park than it was intended for toddlers. I once made a picnic with a few friends and we were happy about the lack of excessive tourist crowds – here you can really breathe the air without a guide telling you why the grass is green. The car park is a simple, open area behind the entrance; on weekends it can be full, but a short walk from the parking lot to the field is no problem.
A short walk then leads you to Russiaville Community Center, an inconspicuous brick building that houses more events than one would expect. Local art exhibitions, yoga courses and the annual “Russiaville Talent Show” regularly run here. I was the other day at a performance of a local band that brought the audience together with a mix of folk and rock – no joke, that was better than some club in the city. The center has a small parking space right in front of the door, and parking is almost always free, except when a large municipal hall is booked.
A little further down the main road, you will find the heart of the city: Main Street with its only but very charming diner, the “Russiaville Diner”. This is not some quick snack, here are homemade pancakes that are so fluffy that you ask yourself if they were made with air instead of flour. I drank a coffee there while I watched the passing oldtimers – this is the true Americana feeling you only see in movies. Parking is a bit tricky here because the street is narrow, but a few free places are always behind the diner when you come early enough.
And because I can't forget that I don't just list the typical tourist attractions here, I still have to St John the Baptist Catholic Church mention. The building from the 1880s is a real architectural gem, with a stone façade and a small bell tower that sounds a bit louder every Sunday. I once participated in a fair to enjoy the silence – this is rarely in a city dominated by tractors and cars. Parking is a small, unsealed area next to the Kirchhof; he is mostly empty, except for holidays when the whole community comes together.
If you now think that all this is a little too much to make it in a day, let me tell you: Russiaville Sights can be swung loosely in a few hours because the city is small enough to not tire, but big enough to offer some surprises. And the best of it? You can enjoy all this at your own pace without a tourist guide constantly whispering into your ear what you need to see next.
I must admit that the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the area around Russiaville is not the sleepy town itself, but the glittering heart of Kokomo – the Opalescent Glass Factory. I was there on a rainy Tuesday because I thought a little glass blower would calm my soul. Instead, I got a crash course in industrial precision, while a friendly guide told me why the company has been producing the “Original American Art Glass” since 1888. Parking is almost always a children's game at the main entrance, as long as you don't come at lunchtime with a school class – then the car park becomes a battlefield.
A short detour to the south leads you to Beberling Mansiona Victorian palace that holds more secrets than an average crime. I made a lead there, where I almost forgot that I was here because of the magnificent wood embellishments. The owner, a retired lawyer, lets you wander through the rooms while telling you anecdotes about the family that the property in the early 20th. century built. The best thing: The garden is a perfect place to make a picnic, and parking is right in front of the house – a real bonus if you don't want to run around the car all day.
If you prefer to feel the adrenaline in the form of squeaking tires, the Kokomo Speedway Your goal. I was there on a Saturday evening when a local drag racer presented his latest model. The smell of burned rubber is in the air, and the audience is a mixture of hardcore fans and curious families. The seats are simple, but parking is generous – as long as you don't try to get a VIP place on weekends, you have to enjoy the usual parking lanterns.
For those who prefer to immerse in the past, this is Howard County Historical Society Museum A must. I spent a rainy afternoon there because I thought a museum was a safe retreat. Instead, I found myself between old land machines, handwritten diaries and an impressive collection of photographs from the 1900s. The staff is incredibly friendly and even lets you participate in a small guided tour where you can find out why the railway line was once the backbone of the economy. Parking is right behind the building and you can leave your car almost directly at the entrance – practical if you want to go back to the car after a long walk.
A little fresh air? The Wildcat Creek Trail stretches through the fields and forests around Honey Creek Township and offers a quiet retreat for hikers and cyclists. I once experienced a sunrise there while I kept my dog, a hyperactive beagle called “Scout”, the leash. The path is well marked, and there are several small parking spaces along the path that are usually free – except for weekends when the local groups hold their weekly meetings.
Another highlight that I cannot conceal is that Howard County Fairgrounds. The annual fair is a colorful mess of rides, local crafts stands and a lot of people who are fighting over the best maize bread. I was there in August when the stands for handmade soaps were opened – a fragrance that immediately reminded me of my childhood. The grounds have a huge garage, which almost always offers enough places, as long as you don't arrive in the last hours of the day, then entering and leaving becomes a small adventure.
For those who prefer to plan in the water, this is Kokomo Aquatic Center a surprisingly good goal. I spent a hot summer day there to recover from the heat, and was impressed by the wide slides and the generous outdoor pool area. The swimming pool is easily accessible, and parking is right next to the entrance – a real plus point if you are traveling with children and don't want to endlessly search for a free space.
Whether you are looking for glittering art glass, historical elegance, fast motors, deep insights into local history, quiet nature trails, lively annual markets or refreshing water fun – the surroundings of Russiaville have something to offer for everyone. And all that makes Russiaville Sights to an underestimated treasure you just have to experience.
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