What makes Orland sights so special is the quiet way, with the story here snoring at every street corner while I snore through the main street with my coffee. Founded in 1835 by pioneers who probably thought a bit of forest and a river would make up paradise – and they were right, at least for those who like to admire old barns and cracking wooden bridges. Millgrove Township, the inconspicuous administrative piece surrounding Orland, sometimes feels like a forgotten chapter in a dusty history book, but that's exactly his charm.
I have to admit, I don't understand the whole hype about the “rustic” farm houses, but the shaky shield in front of the old post office, which still announces “Orland”, has something honest attracting. If you come by car from South Bend, just follow the I‐80 to exit 30 and run the GPS to “Orland, IN” – the Navi will not disappoint you, promised.
A short trip to nearby Lake James, where locals are laying their boats in the summer, gives you the feeling that here nature and history go hand in hand without anyone shouting loudly. And yes, if you go to “Orland Sights” you will quickly realize that the true highlight is not a museum, but the quiet smile of the inhabitants that you can almost overlook when passing.
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To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Orland, 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.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Pokagon State Park, which is just a short cat jump from Orland – about 12 miles, so a bit more than a cozy walk, but hardly enough to forget the car. I tried the famous toboggan race there, because I thought it was a must, and must admit that sliding almost drives the winter blues. The lake is crystal clear, and fishing is almost a ritual here; I caught a pike that was almost as big as my ego after the first swing. Parking is usually a Klack, except during the weekends in the summer when the field is full of families with picnic baskets and parking becomes a patience sample.
A few miles further, across the border to Michigan, this is Lake James. I don’t understand the hype about the “Lake‐James‐Vibes” completely – the water is beautiful, but the true highlight is the small fishing village that stands around the lake. There is a tiny café that serves the best coffee I had since my first trip to Seattle. I met an old angler there who told me that he has been here every summer since the 70s; the conversation was a real insight into the local history that you only know from brochures.
If you drive to the north a little bit further, you'll encounter the Chain O'Lakes State Park in Michigan. This is not some park, but a network of five interconnected lakes that feels like a labyrinth of waterways. I rented a kayak there and pushed me through the silent channels, while the sun glittered over the waves – a picture that can hardly be written in words, but I still try because I want to be a little poetic. The car park is small, so it's better to be there early, otherwise you have to park at the edge and walk the way.
Back in Indiana, you can get the charming little town Angola do not leave. The city centre is a mix of old brick buildings and modern cafés, and the Steuben County Historical Museum there houses a collection of artifacts that makes the history of the region alive. I found an old diary that comes from a pioneer from the 1830s – a real treasure for history lovers. The museum is located right on the main square, so you can easily walk through the small boutiques after your visit.
Another highlight I always like to mention is that Steuben County Fairgrounds. The site is the heart of many local events, from year markets to old-time vehicle shows. I was there during the autumn fair, and the smell of burnt almonds mixed with the sound of carousel – an image that sounds almost too cheesy, but that's the charm. Parking is a children's game because the terrain is huge, and you can find a place almost everywhere.
For those who prefer to travel on the water, St. Joseph River an underestimated jewel. I rented a kayak there and I paddled upstream, past old mills and small villages that hardly anyone finds on the tourist maps. The water is calm, and the shores are lined with trees that offer a firework of colors in autumn. Access to the river is free, and parking on the public boat dock is usually easy as long as you don't get on the weekend when the anglers occupy the shore.
Last but not least a short trip to Angola Speedway. I was there on a Friday night when a local Dirt-Racing event took place. The atmosphere was loud, the adrenaline high, and the riders seemed more fun than the spectators. I've turned a few rounds with a friend, and although I'm not a professional, the feeling of flashing over the dusty track was simply incomparable. Parking is right next to the route, so no stress, and the whole thing is a good example of how alive the community is here.
If you are looking for an authentic piece of Indiana, you will find more than just fields and country roads in the vicinity of Orland – from the woody paths of the Pokagon State Park to the glittering water from Lake James to the historic streets of Angola – there are plenty of plenty Orland Attractionsthat make the heart of each traveler beat faster, even if you stay a bit cynical.
This guide invites you to make a small, but self-contained trip through Orland, Township of Millgrove, Indiana – yes, just the tiny little town you can hardly find on the map because it lies between corn fields and a few old barns.
I prefer to start with the Orland Mill because the thing is the heart of the city and at the same time the only thing that breathes a little history here. The old water mill plant, which went to work in 1855, is still on the edge of the St. Joseph River, not only as a rusty relic. When you hear the soft noise of the water in the summer, you almost feel like in a Western film – only without the cowboys and with more mosquitoes. Parking is usually easy as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field behind the mill becomes a battlefield for caravans. I once made a picnic there, and while I ate my sandwiches, an elderly man came by, who told me that the mill once milled the whole grain for the region. I don't quite understand the hype about old mills, but the creeping wood and the scarce information board give the whole a certain charm.
A short walk further Orland Historical Society Museumhoused in a converted school house from the 1920s. There are more than just dusty photos here – real artefacts from the founding period, an old wooden chair that you could almost still use, and a handwritten diary of a farmer who reports about a flood in 1913. I visited the museum on a rainy Thursday afternoon; the only distraction was the occasional squeaking of the old wooden staircase. The staff is friendly, but not exactly enthusiastic when you ask for admission prices – because it is free, understands.
If you look for some green area, the path leads to Orland Community Park. The park is small, but it has a baseball court, a few benches and a playground that offers more rusty chains than modern swings. I watched a local baseball game there; the players were more interested in enjoying the sun than winning the game. Parking is a children's game because the car park (just an open field) is never full except when the annual village festival takes place – there are more stands than seats.
Another highlight that I cannot leave is the Orland Public Library. Yes, a library in a place where the loudest noise is the mowing of the cows. The library is a small but cozy building of brick, led by a friendly librarian who always has a smile on his lips, even if you ask for a book about modern art. I found an old Almanach from the 1900s, which contains surprisingly many information about the local harvests. This is probably the only time I learned more about corn in a library than about literature.
For those looking for a little nostalgia, there is Orland Cemeterya cemetery that tells more stories than any tourist brochure. The tombstones range from simple to exaggerated ornaments, and some bear inscriptions that recall the hard times of pioneering time. I found an old veterans, whose grave is marked with a hand-carved wooden board – a real eye-catcher. The terrain is well maintained and parking is possible directly next to the entrance, as long as you do not try to arrange a picnic at the same time.
A short detour leads to Orland River Bridge, an inconspicuous steel bridge leading over the St. Joseph River. It is not particularly photogenic, but if you run over the frozen surface in winter, you get the feeling as if you slide over a piece of history. I once met a local angler who told me that he fished there for over 30 years and that the bridge is the only stable building that crosses the river – a praise for the engineers from the 1950s.
Of course you can Orland Attractions do not forget, which is best explored on foot, because the car here is more an obstacle than an aid. The city is small enough to be back at the starting point after a short walk, but big enough to discover some surprising corners. I have the feeling that Orland is a place where you let the time go a little slower – not because it is romantic, but because there is not much to do. And that's kind of liberating.
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