In the heart of Auburn, Union Township, DeKalb County, there is a piece of Indiana that has more to offer than most guides suspect – and yes, the Auburn sights are not overlooked. I remember the dusty days when I first drove over the old railway bridge, which in 1852 formed the backbone of the city and today still whispers the quiet ratter of the trains into history. The founders, a bunch of ambitious pioneers, had the goal of creating a commercial center, and this is still felt today when you stroll through the headstone paved roads.
A short detour into the Union Township Hall makes you almost believe that the administration is still working here with feather keelen – a charming relic, but that is surprisingly good in harmony with the modern I‐69 and US‐30. I like to take the train from Fort Wayne because the journey through the wide fields is almost more meditative than the dam on the highway. Once you reach the small station of Auburn, you will notice that despite its size, the city has a surprisingly good network of local buses that will lead you to the hidden cafes and the old barns, which today serve as art galleries.
For those who are looking for the authentic Midwesten feeling, Auburn is a place where history and the present are handed – and all this with an eye-catcher that even the most dry historians are making their way.
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The first place I'm always taxing is that Pokagon State Park on the edge of Angola – about 30 kilometres north of Auburn. The lake glistens almost as brightly as the sunglasses of my neighbors in summer, and the trails are so well maintained that I feel almost guilty when I use the toilets at the visitor center. Parking is usually a Klacks, except for the long weekends in autumn, as then the caravans like mushrooms are stacked after a rain.
A short trip to Fort Wayne brings me to Children’s Zoo, a place I call “mini safari for adults with too much patience”. The giraffes are actually bigger than my expectations, and the monkey house has more visitors than the entire city center on a Monday morning. I once tried to buy a flamingo butter – the staff corrected me with a smile, because it is only for the animal nurses. A small car park right behind the main entrance is almost always free as long as you don't get to school vacation time.
If I'm looking for some culture, I'll go through the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. The collection is not just world famous, but the changing exhibitions surprise me again and again – last but a local artist who has built sculptures from old car parts, which reminds me of the Duesenbergs, which I will mention later. The museum is located in the heart of the city centre so that after the visit I can easily get a coffee in one of the many hip cafés; Parking is free there as long as you don't leave the car too long.
The Riverfront of Fort Wayne is another favorite destination, especially if the weather is moody and I just want to sit on the water. The historic Lincoln Tower, which is almost forgotten, offers a surprisingly good view over the St. Joseph River. I once made a picnic with my dog, and an older gentleman explained to me that he throws out his fishing here every Sunday – a picture I will never forget. The parking spaces on the river are limited, but a short walk from the main road is enough.
Back near Auburn is the place DeKalb County Fairgrounds, which becomes the scene of the County Fair every year in August. I don't quite understand the hype around the giant bike ride, but the local cake stands are really great, and the cattle that is exhibited here is amazingly photogenic. The grounds have a huge open-air car park, which is quickly full on weekends, so prefer to come early.
A short trip to LaGrange, about 20 kilometres east, leads me to LaGrange County Courthouse. The building is an architectural jewel from the founding period, and I have once seen a tour with a very enthusiastic historian who linked every little ornament to a story that I could hardly believe. Parking is free in front of the courthouse, but the road is narrow, so be careful when parking.
A little further south, in Mooresville, is waiting John Dillinger Museum – a place I only visit if I like a little gangster romance. The exhibition is small, but the original documents and the old police car are impressive. I spent a day there because I thought it was a good place to escape everyday life, and in the end I learned more about the 1930s than in any history book. The museum has a small parking lot, which is usually free as long as you do not come to the museum's annual celebration.
Whether you're looking for nature, art, history or just for a good piece of cake – the environment of Auburn has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. This selection Auburn Attractions shows that a short trip from the city can lead to real highlights that satisfy both the curious traveller and the tired commuter.
The history of Auburn begins long before the first asphalt I've ever seen – it lies in the squeaking engines of the old Cord‐ and Duesenberg models, which are today in the Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum dusty, but proud of their places. I must admit, I was skeptical when a friend told me that it was “a must for every car fan”, but after half an hour between the shiny bodies and the hand-drawn blueprints I was completely tied up. Parking is usually a Klacks: a free space right in front of the museum as long as you are not there with the whole city on Saturday night – then parking becomes a small adventure.
A short walk down the main road leads you to the heart of Auburn, where the downtown Main Street with its old brick buildings and the tiny cafes a picture of “small city, great charm”. I once drank a latte that was so strong that I almost missed the sign “Auburn Sights” – not because it wasn’t there, but because I was too busy admiring local art on the wall. The shops are a mix of antiques, handmade soaps and a bookstore that knows more about the city than myself.
If you are looking for a place to represent the legs, the Auburn Community Park That's right. I made a picnic with a few friends there, while an older gentleman in the background trained his daily Frisbee game with the dog – a picture that would be almost too cheesy for Instagram, but that's exactly the real life here. The lake in the park is small, but in summer a popular spot to relax, and the playground equipment is so sturdy that I almost thought it was from the 1950s set.
Another jewel I always like to visit is the Auburn Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library that has more to offer than dusty shelves. The reading rooms are bright, the staff knows each regular guest by name, and the weekly reading circle meeting is a place where you can find more about the local legends than you would find in each guide. I once borrowed a book about the history of the Indiana railway, just to land later in the nearby train depot.
The Auburn Train Depot itself is a small museum that connects the city to the railway – a relic from a time when trains were the backbone of the economy. I remember standing there with my father as a child, admiring the old locomotives, while a Ohio tourist said loudly that he seeks “the most authentic experience”. Today, the depot is a quiet place where you can study old schedules and hear the silent rats of history.
For those who want to sniff a little culture, this is Auburn City Hall A must. The building from the 1890s radiates a mixture of Victorian splendour and pragmatic government function. I once participated in a public meeting where a speaker spoke about the future of the city, while I admired the artistic stucco works in the background – a moment that showed me that politics is not only dry talk here.
And if you're lucky to be in town on a Saturday in the summer, look at Auburn Farmers Market by. Fresh strawberries, homemade jam and a stand that is supposed to offer the best maize bread uptake far and wide – I have tried the bread and can honestly say that it was better than what I find in most gourmet shops. The market is a lively meeting place where neighbors chat and visitors like you and I can taste the real life.
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