What makes Carefree landmarks so special is the almost ironic tranquility that comes to you as soon as you leave the dusty land roads of Jennings Township and reach the small village in the heart of Crawford County. I remember getting out of Indianapolis by train the other day – a short, shaky transfer to Crawfordsville, then a bustling bus that took me to the middle of nowhere. There, between endless corn fields and old barns, is Carefree, a place that has slowly evolved from the woodshoe and carnival of pioneers since the 1830s. The first settlers who bought a piece of land here probably had more patience than a sense of orientation, because the area was hardly more than a passage for herds. Today one still feels the echo of those early days when one passes by the faded signs that tell of a long past post carriage. I don't quite understand the whole “Hype” about small towns in the Middle West, but the honest, almost scarce hospitality here is really great. If you are honest about a place where the pace is slower than the WLAN signal, you will find the ideal setting in Carefree – without crowded tourist flows.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Carefree, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
Patoka Lake is what you could call “big, blue spot in the green” in Indiana – a huge reservoir that is almost half the town of English and just a few minutes drive from Carefree. I rented a kayak there once, because I thought it was romantic; the result was rather a wet trouble because the water was still so cold at 10 a.m. that my fingers were deaf. Nevertheless, the shore is perfect for a picnic, and parking is usually problem-free as long as you don't get out of the surrounding area on weekends, then the field full of trees will quickly become a parking microcosm.
Just a short trip south is Patoka River State Park, a piece of nature that has more to offer than the usual “walking path with a few benches”. The trail along the river is spiced with old stone bridges that look like they have survived the time to show us that Indiana has not only corn fields. I spent a few hours there to fish a little – that was a success because I actually got a cash to the fishing, although I never caught a fish before. A note: The toilets are a little remote, so better empty the bubble beforehand.
If you have enough of lakes and rivers, the path leads to the Hoosier National Forest, which is like a green curtain around the region. The Knobstone Trail, which is located near Carefree, is famous for throwing more stones than an average construction worker. I tried the section from the “Big Piney” to the “Crawford Lookout” – an ascent that gives you the feeling that you are in a gym operated by trees. The path is well marked, parking on the trailhead is a small, unheated parking lot, but this is part of the charm, right?
A short jump back to civilization leads to English, where the Crawford County Courthouse stands – an impressive brick building from the late 19. Century that looks as if it had chosen a film director for a Western. I took a lead there because I thought that was “culturally enriching”. The leadership was short, but the judge who just led a trial waved at me and said that I would see the “true Indiana” when I visit the museum. The Crawford County Historical Museum is small, but full of artefacts that give you the feeling that the story is still alive here – old tools, photos of horse carriages and a particularly creepy chair that was allegedly used by one of the founders.
Another highlight I don't want to hide is the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Every year in August, the field turns into a colorful drive from rides, local crafts stands and a lot of people who present their best pumpkins. I once watched a pumpkin competition where a 150 kg pumpkin almost crashed the tent – a real proof that people here take their agriculture seriously. Parking is a bit chaotic here because the lots only work with hand signs, but this gives the whole a certain charm.
For those looking for a little spiritual tranquility, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in English is a place you should not overlook. The church is made of red brick and has a beautiful but somewhat dusty inner life. I visited a Sunday worship service there once, because I thought I could gather some “authentic” experience. The pastor greeted me with a smile and offered me a piece of bread – that was the only time I got a free pastry in a church, and I enjoyed it, although I usually am not a fan of church noise.
Last but not least, the Patoka Lake Marina is not only a starting point for boaters, but also a small shop selling snacks, ice cream and the best cold drink in the area – an ice-cold Slush that is almost as refreshing as a jump into the water. I bought an ice cream there that melts right away because I had it standing in the sun too long, but the staff was friendly enough to give me a new one. Practical note: The marina parking lot is large enough to hold a few cars, but it can be full on the weekend, so it's better to come early.
So next time you think about what you could do in the vicinity of Carefree, Jennings Township, Crawford, Indiana, think that the Carefree attractions not only consist of a small village, but a mixture of lake, forest, history and a little rural chaos – and all this with a pinch of irony that makes the whole real.
This guide invites you to explore with me a small but surprisingly charming spot Indiana, which I lovingly call “my backyard” – Carefree, a tiny place in the Jennings Township that has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance.
I always start with Carefree Community Park because there beats the true heart of the place. A short walk from Highway 931, you will find a small but well-maintained field of play, a picnic pavilion and a playground that has more rusty chains than high-tech gadgets – and that is exactly what I appreciate in such places. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly barbecue meeting of the neighbors takes place and everyone tries to get a place next to the grill. I once experienced an improvised jazz jam that was led by a retired teacher who suddenly unpacked his saxophone line – no joke, that was really great.
A short detour leads to Carefree United Methodist Church, a building from the 1880s that breathes more history than most museums in Indianapolis. The wooden veranda cnares every step, and the stained glass windows throw colored patterns on the plain wooden bench when the sun breaks through the panes. I don’t understand the hype about “historical churches” completely, but here the silence has something calming that reminds me every time that not everything in life has to be loud.
Only a few destinations surprise their visitors with a mixture of calm and light horror, and that is exactly what the Carefree Cemetery in power. A small cemetery surrounded by oaks, where the gravestones tell more stories than most city tours. I once discovered an old veteran gravestone, whose inscription tells of a forgotten war – a short moment that reminded me how small our everyday life is compared to history. This is definitely a place to visit with respect, but also with a slight eye-catcher.
If you're looking for something fresh, Miller’s Farm Market the point of contact. Directly on the main street, a family farm that has been selling apples, pumpkins and homemade jams for generations. I tried an apple cake there that was so good that I almost forgot that I was looking for a quick snack. The owner, a well-tempered man with a mustache, likes to tell anecdotes about the “good old time” and that makes shopping a small cultural experience.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Old Barn Event Venue. A rebuilt barn building that is now used for local concerts, art exhibitions and the annual autumn festival. I was there with an indie band playing in a corner of the barn, while the other visitors sat in straw bales and drank beer from cans – an image that sounds almost too cheesy to be true, but that makes the charm. The acoustics are surprisingly good, and the rustic ambience makes you almost forget that you are not in a hip part of Chicago.
Between all these places, what I like as the true Carefree attractions sign – a mixture of history, nature and local cordiality that you only find when you are ready to walk a little off the beaten paths. I found more than a few nice photo motifs here; I discovered a piece of Indiana that surprises me every time I think I already know it.
At the end of the day, when the sun goes down over the fields of Jennings Township and the barbecue odours from the Community Park rise again into the air, I feel again and again grateful that I can give this little spot earth my own, slightly cynical, but honest recommendations. And if you drive through Indiana the next time, don’t forget to make a detour to Carefree – you’ll see that the word “carefree” here is not just a name but a feeling of life.
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