Visit Lagrange LaGrange Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Lagrange, Indiana: Discover the small town with the largest open air museum in the USA - "The Historic Hoosier Hills Scenic Byway" and "Historic Hoosierville".
What makes Lagrange so special is the way his Lagrange sights emerge from a mix of ancient pioneering romanticism and sober modernity – a bit like a well-oiled tractor that suddenly plays a jazz solo. I remember driving over the dusty streets of Bloomfield Township for the first time, the heart of LaGrange County, and immediately got the feeling that history is not only in dusty history books, but in every wooden bench and every cracking barn roof. The city was built in 1836, named after the French General La Grange, and has since seen more field shafts than skyscrapers – which is the charm for me.
A short detour to the old railway line, which today serves as a quiet cycle path, lets you hear almost the whistle of the steam locomotives while strolling past the well-maintained gardens of the old civic houses. Those who arrive by car find the connection via the I‐80/90 and US‐20 surprisingly uncomplicated; the small LaGrange County Airport is a nice bonus for those who prefer to fly with the propeller. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest festivals, but the local craft that is exhibited there is really great – a real proof that Lagrange has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
The history of Lagrange begins long before the first highway sign I've ever overlooked, and I'm lucky to be manifested in a pretty, slightly weathered court building – the LaGrange County Courthouse. This imposing brick building from 1878 dominates the cityscape, and I must admit that I am a bit proud every time I walk past it, because it somehow beats the heart of the city. The courtyard is a popular meeting place for seniors who play chess there, and parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Friday night when the court is full and the road becomes an improvised parking space for vans.
Directly next to the court building LaGrange County Historical Society Museumthat I would call the place where the city gathers its own myths. I found an old tractor uniform there that looked like it hadn't completely washed the dust from the 1950s – a real treasure for anyone interested in the agricultural past of the Middle West. The exhibition is not just overloaded, but the curators have a hand to pack boring facts into small anecdotes that would even make my grandmother smile. And yes, the museum has a small parking lot behind the building; I used it again and again because parking there is almost never a problem.
A short walk further leads to St. Joseph Catholic Church, a Gothic gem built in 1869 and whose steel tower is almost as high as my expectations for local gastronomy – quite high. I don't always understand the hype about church architecture, but here the old wooden windowwork has something magical, which reminds me every time that Lagrange not only consists of corn fields. The church is open to visitors, and parking is a bit tricky because the road is narrow; I have often seen myself forced to drive a few meters back to get a place.
If you're in town in the summer, you'll have to LaGrange County Fairgrounds do not miss – this is the epicentre of the annual Lagrange County Fairs, where you can find everything from cattle upgrades to carrot cakes. I saw a competition for the biggest pumpkin weight there, and that was a spectacle that impressed my sceptical sister. The Fairgrounds is easy to reach because there is a large, free parking space, and the entry and exit is almost as smooth as the pulling up of an old tractor block.
A place I like to overlook because it is too easy to overlook is the LaGrange County Public Library. It is modern, bright and has a small café that serves surprisingly good espresso – a real secret tip for those looking for a quiet place to read or work. I have often made my notes for the next blog post while I secretly browsed the local newspapers. Parking is a bit limited here, but the staff is friendly enough to show you a place when you arrive after 10 a.m.
And because I don't just want to talk about historical sites, Lagran ge Coffee Company mentioning that is hidden in a converted old barn. The scent of freshly ground coffee is almost as strong as the memory of my first trip to Indiana. I drank a cappuccino there that was so good that I almost forgot that I was actually just looking for a place to raise my feet. Parking is a bit an adventure because the barn is surrounded by a small parking lot, which is quickly full on Saturdays – but this is a small price for the perfect latte.
All this together Lagrange Sights to a mixture of honest little town charms and surprising moments you can only find when you are ready to stroll a little off the beaten path. I've discovered my favorite places here because I just walked around, and I can assure you that if you're next in Bloomfield Township, you'll not only visit a few buildings, but take a small piece of Indiana into your heart.
The first stop I'm always driving is the Kankakee-River-State Park, a piece of unspoiled nature that extends about 20 miles east of Lagrange. There are hiking trails that swell through dense beech forests, and a small beach swimming pool on the river, which is surprisingly well visited in the summer – so be there better early, otherwise you fight through a sea of bath towels. I once tried to reach the kayak-veal vessel, only to establish that parking at the main exit is almost impossible on Saturdays; a small sideway leads to an almost forgotten parking lot, where you can climb the boats almost unnoticed. Enjoy the silence on the river – that is what the whole thing is for me.
A few miles further north, near Shipshewana, lies the legendary Flea brand, which I like to name as the “Kaufsch-Mekka of the Middle West”. From ancient tractors to handmade wool scarves, you can find everything your heart desires – at prices that sometimes sound more like negotiation than market value. I remember a salesman who offered me an old radio for five dollars, just to explain that the device has not worked since 1972; I bought it anyway, because the conversation alone was a piece of history. There are parking lots in abundance, but on weekends long snakes are formed, so you better get on with the bike if you don't want to be in traffic.
If you have enough of loud market power, a short detour leads to Middlebury in the heart of the Amish community. There are no big advertising boards, only quiet country roads lined by horse carriages. I once had lunch with a family – the food was simple, but incredibly fresh, and the conversation was about the weather and the next harvest festival, not about the latest smartphone. Special: You can visit the workshops where handmade furniture is created; this is not only a look behind the scenes, but almost a silent letter of protest against consumer culture. Parking is usually possible directly in front of the workshops, but only for a short time, otherwise you have to walk a bit further along the road.
Another highlight I'm experiencing every year is the LaGrange County Fairgrounds, which is about five miles south of the city. The annual fair is a colourful mess of cattle shows, carousels and local food stands that offer everything from maize bread to deep-frozen apple rings. I once saw a bear in the petting zoo that seemed to have more interest in my hat than in the visitors – a small but unforgettable moment. The approach is uncomplicated because the Fairgrounds have their own large parking space; the only manko is that the toilets run fast in the summer, so better have a few towels.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, there is the St‐Joseph-River Trail, a 12-mile path that runs along the river and is perfect for a relaxed bike ride. The path is well developed, but in some places there are still old bridges that are a bit shaky – this gives the whole a hint of adventure that I personally appreciate. I once met an old angler who told me that he has been here for more than 40 years; the conversation ended with giving me a piece of smoked fish because he “has too much of life”. Parking is usually free at the access points, except at weekends when local sports clubs use the terrain for training.
A last but not less interesting place is the LaGrange County Golf Club, which is located just outside and famous for its well-maintained fairways and the rustic clubhouse. I played a few rounds there while I tried to read the wind – a game that requires more patience than the actual golf. The clubhouse serves a breakfast that is surprisingly good, and the staff knows every visitor what makes the whole almost a small community. The approach is uncomplicated because the clubhouse has its own parking space; the only annoyance is that parking is quickly full on weekends, so be there early.
Whether you’re looking for the rest of the Kankakee River, wanting to experience the busy driving of the Shipshewana-Flea market, wanting to immerse yourself in the silent world of the Amish community or just want to turn a round of golf on the LaGrange County Golf Club – the surroundings of Lagrange offers a colourful mix of nature, culture and local authenticity. These Lagrange Sights show that the surrounding area has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance, and they invite any modern traveler to discover a bit away from the mainstream.
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