What makes Corunna sights so special is the quiet way, with the history here seems engraved in every stone paver. I remember the first time I drove over the old railway line, which in 1850 connected the town with the rest of Indiana – a piece that today is hardly more than a rusty path, but still forms the backbone of the small place. Whoever asks why the whole thing still exists, I would like to answer: the founders of Corunna, a bunch of stubborn pioneers from New York, wanted to create a trading center in the heart of Richland Township, and this has left traces to this day.
A short trip by bus from Auburn (line 12 stops practically on the main road) leads you to the centre where you can see the old town hall – a building that tells more about its own Patina than any brochure. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest festival parade, but the colorful drive next to the historic cemetery is really great if you want to sniff a little local flair. And yes, the land roads around DeKalb County are ideal for a spontaneous road trip photo, because the fields are still really fragrant here – no joke. Anyone who explores Corunna quickly discovers that the real attraction is the feeling of being stuck in a time capsule that is still a bit modern.
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The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. The building itself is an old factory shed that is now full of shiny classics – from the flying Duesenbergs to the cutting cords that once winged the highway legends of the 1930s. I spent a few hours there because I thought I could just look in for a second, and I stayed almost until the evening, because the history of these cars is so captivating that you feel like sitting in a time capsule. Parking is almost always a Klack on the background of the museum, unless you arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes a small battlefield of car keys and shopping carts.
A few miles further, just a short trip to the south, lies the DeKalb County Historical Society Museum. There are no shiny motors here, but dusty country house furniture, old school books and a few faded photographs showing how the area once looked before the first tractors rolled. I remember standing in one of the small rooms and suddenly hearing the sound of an old typewriter – that was not an artwork, that was a real exhibit that worked. The museum has a small parking space right in front of the door, and the sign “Free Parking” is honestly meant as long as you don’t try to occupy the whole property.
If you have enough of dusty halls, the way to the east leads Pokagon State Park. The lake there is crystal clear, the water is cold enough to wake up immediately, and the trails are shining through forests that offer a firework of red and yellow shades in autumn. I once made a picnic that was almost completely disturbed by a horde duck – a real reminder that does not censor nature here. The park has several entrances, but the main parking lot at the south entrance is usually free, except for the long weekends in summer when families with strollers occupy the seats.
A short jump back to the city brings you to Auburn Trail, a former railway corridor that has now become a well-developed cycle and hiking trail. The path takes you along the St. Joseph River and offers time and again points of view where you can see the water glittering while strolling along old rails. I once repaired my old mountain bike chain there, because I thought that was a perfect place for a bit of DIY action – and that was also because the calm of the river almost overtones the sound of the tools. The trail has several parking spaces that are usually not full unless you plan your weekend exactly at the same time as the local running group.
The river itself, the St. Joseph River, is an underestimated jewel for those looking for a bit of paddle fun. Kayak rental stations are close to Auburn, and I spent a few hours there while trying to master the currents that are sometimes faster than you think. The water is clear enough to see the reason, and the shores are lined with old trees that donate shade in summer. A little hint: the docking of the kayak is best in quiet weather because the docks are otherwise quickly crowded.
A walk through the historic downtown of Auburn is like a little time jump. The old brick buildings are now home to cafés, antique shops and a few hip boutiques that combine the rural flair with modern chic. I once drank a cappuccino while I was the old DeKalb County Courthouse an impressive brick building from the 19th century Century, which still serves as a courthouse and is surprisingly well preserved. Parking in downtown is a bit of a gambling; most visitors park at the rear end of the main road, where there are a few free places, but on Friday night it can quickly become narrow.
A short detour to DeKalb leads you to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a small but impressive construction from 1865. The church has a beautiful, handmade wooden window that throws the light in a warm gold tone through the benches – a real eye-catcher if you accidentally look past a fair. I have once witnessed a concert given by a local choir community; the acoustics was so good that I almost thought I was in a cathedral in Europe. The parking lot behind the church is small, but sufficient as long as you do not come to the main divine period.
Last but not least Auburn Train Depot, which today serves as a small museum and documents the history of railways in the region. The old locomotives exhibited there give you the feeling that you just get out of a Western movie. I found an old train ticket that was still in a showcase – a small treasure for anyone who loves the nostalgic flair. The depot has a small parking lot next to it, which is usually free except when the annual railway festival takes place.
The next time you drive through the area, don't forget that the surroundings of Corunna have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance – from shiny oldtimers to quiet rivers to historic brick buildings. All these experiences make the Corunna Attractions to a small but fine adventure that will make every traveler a smile on his face even if the weather doesn't play.
Whether it's adventurers, connoisseurs or culture lovers – in Corunna everyone finds something that at least briefly distracts him from everyday life. I always start with the heart, the old Town Hall, which is in the middle of the center like a defensive relic from the founding period. The brick building is not only an administrative building, but a real magnet for curious views, because the original doors still squeak when you open them. I once tried to find a meeting there and instead landed in a spontaneous public meeting on the new garbage plan – a real insight into the local drama. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Friday night, then the small car park in front of the town hall becomes a battlefield.
The Corunna Public Library – a small, but fine 1912 house that sprays more charm than some modern libraries in big cities – is just a few streets ahead. I found my first copy of the local newspaper from the 1920s, and that was a real lucky handle. The shelves are packed with stories from the region, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are part of the family. If you happen to find a free table, grab one of the squeaking wooden chairs; they are comfortable enough to survive a few hours, and the WLAN surprisingly works well for a building older than your grandfather.
If you're looking for something spiritual, St. Mary's Catholic Church is your next stop. The neo-Gothic building with its colourful glass windows is not only a place for worship, but also a popular photo pot for Instagrammers looking for “authentic” midwest feeling. I remember how I accidentally switched on the microphone during a trade fair and the whole community surprised with my loud “excuse me, I thought that was a karaoke evening”. The church is always open, so you can check in at any time – parking is right in front of the Kirchhof, where you can hide a little between gravestones and ancient oaks if you need some rest.
A short walk leads you to the Corunna Community Park, a small green piece that has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. There is a playground that has more rusty chains than modern devices, but that makes the charm. I made a picnic with friends there in the summer, while a tractor crossed the adjacent field road – this is the true land life, not a fake-farm experience. The park has a small amphitheater that is occasionally used by local bands; If you're lucky, you hear some country songs played by a group of teenagers who think they're the next Nashville stars.
The Corunna Historical Society Museum is a must for those who want a little history. The museum is located in the former school building and houses artefacts ranging from old school books to handwritten diaries. I found an old school bus that still has the original seats – a perfect place to imagine how it was when the children still learned with chalk and ruler. The museum is small, but the guided tours given by volunteer historians are full of anecdotes you don't hear anywhere else. And yes, parking is right behind the museum where you can park your car between a few old tractors.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is the old grain silo on the main road. The silver tower projects over the fields and reminds that Corunna was once an important cereal centre. I once met a local peasant who told me that the silo is still used occasionally for storage purposes – a real proof that tradition and modernity sometimes go hand in hand here, even if the result is a squeaking metal noise that keeps you awake at night. Access is free, but be careful when you approach the edge; the railing is not exactly built for acrobats.
Finally, I must not forget the culinary heart of Corunna: the Corunna Café, a small diner that has existed since the 1950s and claims to serve the best pancakes throughout the county. I drank a coffee there that was strong enough to wake a cop, and a breakfast that was so depressing that I almost felt I had to work the rest of the day in the field to burn the calories. The café has only a few tables, so be ready to come early if you want a place – parking is right outside the door where you can park your car between a few old vans.
All this together Corunna Attractions to a charming mix of history, everyday life and a little unexpected humor. Next time you drive through Richland Township, stop breathing in the air and let yourself be surprised by the small peculiarities of this city – I promise you you will take more than a few photos home.
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