What makes Angola's sights so special is the mix of old pioneering hardship and the quiet whisper of a city that can never completely decide whether to be a quiet rural life or a small urban center. I remember driving over the dusty streets of Pleasant Township for the first time, which sound like a forgotten band between the fields of Steuben County – a short detour from I‐69, which is almost a life-ader here, if you don't rather take the old Highway 30 to feel the real Indiana.
The history of Angola can best be read in the old wooden buildings at the main square, dating from the 1850s, when the city was still a mere camp for railway workers. I have the feeling that the founders here believed more in the dream of the “West” than in reality, and that is still felt today when you sit on the Riverside Park in a sunny afternoon and hear the quiet noise of the St. Joseph River – no joke, that is almost meditative.
If you are looking for a place that shows you the real heart of Indiana, this is the ideal setting. I don't quite understand the hype around the big cities, but the quiet corners of Angola, which I prefer to explore by bicycle, have their own charm. And yes, the “Angola sights” are not only museums or shops, but the whole feeling of life pulsating between the fields, the old barns and the friendly faces of the inhabitants.
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The first place I have to put to every visitor is Pokagon State Park – a piece of untamed nature that lies directly at the city border of Angola, but clearly is not one of the “city attractions”. I remember the day when, after a misfortune attempt to conquer the tobogganing, I was stuck in the mud and an older gentleman, with an eye-catcher, handed me a piece of chocolate out of his pocket – a little comfort that made the descent all the sweeter. The park offers not only the famous toboggan slope, but also hiking trails that lead through dense beech forests, and a lake that invites you to fishing in summer; Parking is usually a Klacks, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem.
Only a few kilometers further lies the glittering Lake James, the real heart of Pokagon, but I treat it here as an independent attraction, because the water is so clear that you could almost keep your own mirror image for a fish. I once tried to control a kayak, just to find out that I looked more like a wet pudding in the water – an experience that I highly recommend to anyone interested in a bit of action, as long as you are not too proud to use a rescue ring.
A short detour to the south leads to the Hovey Lake State Recreation Area, a rather inconspicuous spot, which is a true paradise for birdwatchers. I was there in an early morning when a redfish was so loud that I thought it was going to tell me a secret – unfortunately it was just another morning in the life of a bird. The parking lot is huge, so don't worry, even if you arrive with all the camping accessories; the only manko is the missing WLAN, but that's what you're looking for, right?
If you prefer walking, the Cedar Creek Trail is a must. The path stretches through the gentle hills of Pleasant Township and offers surprising views of fields that are immersed in a rich gold in summer. I have explored the trail once in the dusk and almost missed a fox because I was too busy sorting my own thoughts – a rare moment of silence that you cannot find in any city. The trail is well marked, and parking at the beginning is free as long as you do not try to leave your camper there.
A little further south-west is the charming town of Fremont, which with its historic city centre looks a bit like a small time jump. The old opera, which is still used for local performances, has an acoustic that makes even the worst vocal attempts bearable – I have heard an amateur quartet there that was more wrong than just, but the audience was still thrilled because it was simply nice to see something new. The cafés along the main street serve the best apple cake in the region, and parking is usually easy as long as you are not there on the market day.
Lastly, it is not possible to forget the annual spectacle on the Steuben County Fairgrounds, which does not take place all year round, but when it runs, it is a true kaleidoscope of rides, local crafts stands and a lot of people who wonder why they could not just stay home. I once tried a beef steak that was so tough that I almost let it go through as a gum – a real test for the caustic muscle. The fairgrounds are practically at the edge of Angola, so that arrival and departure is uncomplicated, and parking is generous when you come early enough.
Whether you're looking for adrenaline-laden descents, quiet nature trails, historic towns or a colourful market – the environment of Angola, Pleasant Township, Steuben, Indiana has something to offer for everyone. These Angola Attractions show that the true heart of the region beats outside the city walls and that a little curiosity and an open ear for the little peculiarities on site make the travel experience really live.
The history of Angola begins long before the first city plan, and I feel that every stone here has a little more to tell than the tourist brochure suggests. My personal favorite start is the old Steuben County Courthouse, which today is the heart of the Steuben County Historical Museum. I spent almost the whole afternoon there, because I lost myself in the dusty archives and was suddenly addressed by a retired sheriff who explained to me why the city was once almost exaggerated by a bear – a real gag, but he showed me that history is not only in dusty books, but in living anecdotes. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly flea market event fills the parking spaces.
A short walk down the main road leads you to the Angola Train Depot, a pretty, slightly rusted relic from 1906, which today serves as a museum. I don't quite understand the hype about old locomotives, but the sound of the squeaking brakes that are still imitated here has something nostalgic calming. If you're lucky, you'll get a little show where an enthusiastic volunteer explains why the rails were never really rolled out here – a detail you don't hear anywhere else.
The St extends between the depot and the river. Joseph Riverwalk, a narrow path that stretches along the river. Here you can take a cool bath in the summer if the weather is not too moody, and in autumn you can admire the reflections of the colorful leaves. I once made a picnic with my neighbor who claimed he found the best sandwich in the city here – I gave him only one eye-catcher because the sandwich actually came from a small deli that only opened every second Wednesday.
A little further north lies the Lake James, which is probably the most popular water surface for anglers and boaters. I caught a rush there my first and last time, and that was a real highlight because I thought the water was just meant for quiet family trips. Access to the lake is well signposted, and parking is usually free as long as you don't get to the high season at the weekend – then you have to enjoy a short walk to the boat docker.
If you're looking for a place to relax for all this, the Angela Community Center is just right. The swimming pool is surprisingly clean, and the gym has more equipment than an average gym in Indianapolis. I visited a yoga course where the instructor told more about the local story than about the Asanas – a bit strange, but somehow fitting to this place.
Another must for anyone interested in Angola sights is the St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Gothic building from 1908 not only impresses with its high windows, but also with the acoustic quality that makes every organ concert a small miracle. I saw a concert there where a local choir sang, and I swear that the voices seemed to come out of the walls – a bit exaggerated, but you understand what I mean.
To finish my little tour through Angola, I recommend a trip to the downtown Historic District, where you can browse small boutiques that have more charm than the chain shops in the suburbs. I bought a handmade leather wallet that is now my constant companion – not because I need it, but because it reminds me of the unique, slightly cynical atmosphere of this city every time. And if you're wondering where you can best hold it: the small café on the corner that I always call "the best piece of rest" has a notebook where you can hold your own impressions before you move on.
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