What makes Winslow sights so special is the silent, almost nostalgic aura of a place that has hardly got rid of its original idea since the 1850s. I remember the first time I drove over the old railway bridge, which once formed the backbone of the small railway station, and immediately felt that history lives not only in dusty history books, but in every cracking board of the old warehouse. Winslow is located in the heart of Patoka Township, one of the nine townships of Pike County, and this is immediately felt when you cross the wide fields and the gentle hills along State Road 57 – a road trip that tastes more like “Landstraße” than “Autobahn”, but is all the more authentic for it.
I often wondered why the locals are so proud of their small community, and the answer is probably in the mix of old coal mining tradition and today's quiet rural life. When you come by car from Evansville, you simply follow the signs to US 41 and bend off; the approach is almost a ritual that gives you the feeling of falling a bit out of time. And yes, I do not quite understand the hype about the “big cities”, but here, between the fields of Patoka, you will find a rest that you are looking for in vain in the crowded tourist centres. So anyone looking for a place that breathes history without trying too much should definitely put Winslow on the map.
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The first place I have to mention is that Patoka Lake, which extends only half an hour drive north of Winslow and with more than 8,000 hectares of water area offers more than just a beautiful photo motif. I once tried to start a canoe there, just to see that the boat landing is almost always a Klack on working days, while the weekend summons the chaos of a small port city. The lake is famous for anglers who listen to bass and zander, and for families who build sand castles on the beach of Patoka Lake State Park – a bit like a mini Florida, just with fewer tourists and more insects. If you are looking for a bit of action, you can drive the water sports rental station on the southern shore; the staff there has the charm of an old fisherman who still explains how to keep the paddle right.
A short detour to the south leads to Patoka River State Parka piece of wildness that winds along the river of the same name. I remember a rainy afternoon when I stabbed the trail “River Loop” and suddenly was sighted by a deer who had already criticized me with a glance as if he had my decision to hike here. The park is not just overflowing, and parking is usually easy – apart from the rare Saturday afternoons when local families occupy the picnic area. The trails are well marked, and the visitor center offers a few brochures that reveal more about the local Flora than I ever thought necessary.
Just one piece further Hoosier National Forest, a huge forest area that extends over several counties and is famous for its extensive mountain bike trails. I once tried to force the “Cedar Creek Trail” there, just to see that the climbs are steeper than my mood after a missed train. But the adventure is worth it: The lookout points over the treetops give you the feeling of floating over Indiana, and the forest-race picnic is a real secret tip for hungry cyclists. Parking is a bit like a gamble here – some entrances have huge parking spaces, others just a few scattered places between the trees.
A little further east, in the historic city of Petersburg, this is impressive Pike County Courthouse, a 19th building. The century, with its red brick facade and the artistic pillars, reminds every visitor of the glorious days of American justice. I took part in a guided tour where the guide told more about the old court proceedings than I ever thought necessary, and entertained almost the whole group with anecdotes about lost carriages and lost documents. Parking behind the courthouse is usually free as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the city administration attracts its own visitors.
Just a stone's throw away Pike County Historical Museumhoused in a renovated old bank building. I was there on a rainy Sunday when I searched between old maps and dusty artefacts for an indication of the “lost” gold mine of Patoka – a joke I allowed myself, because the museum actually offers some interesting exhibits on the early railway and local agriculture. The museum has no large numbers of visitors, so parking is practically always a children's game, and the friendly staff will be happy to give tips where you can find a good piece of cake in the area.
Another highlight I cannot conceal is the Patoka River Lock & Dam Troy. The place is a magnet for anglers who are here on pike and catfish, and for photography lovers who want to capture the game of light and water. I once made a picnic on the shore, while a small boat slept by and an elderly man laughing loudly explained that he has fished here since his childhood – an image that remains in my memory until today. Parking is limited at the Dam itself, but a few minutes walk along the way leads to a larger parking lot, which usually offers enough space for a few cars.
Whether you are looking for a quiet fishing area, a challenging mountain bike route or a piece of history – the surroundings of Winslow have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. The above objectives show that Winslow Attractions not only are a name on a map, but real experiences that should be discovered with an eye-catcher and a portion of curiosity.
This guide invites you to make a small but surprisingly self-contained trip through Winslow – yes, just the Winslow, which is located in Patoka Township, where the roads still sound like cow bells and the Wi-Fi is sometimes still a myth.
I always start with the Winslow Town Hallbecause the building somehow beats the heart of the place – a brick box from the 1920s that knows more stories than some bestsellers. I met an old mayor there at a village party who told me that the town hall used to serve as a cinema; that explains why the ceiling lights are still a bit too bright for an office. Parking is usually easy, except when the yearly BBQ weekend starts – then you have to avoid a few blocks and this is the little adventure you experience here every day.
A short walk leads you to Winslow Methodist Church, a Gothic gem with colorful glass windows that immerse the light in an almost sacral color play in the summer. I don't quite understand the hype about church music, but the organ sounds like an angel has a bad day and would just sprinkle a little dissonance – a real ear scare if you're honest.
If you are looking for something more green, then that is Patoka River State Park just a cat jump away. The river stretches through a network of hiking trails that offer more leaves than asphalt – perfect to leave the city behind and feel you are in real Indiana. I once saw a squirrel that was courageous enough to steal the nuts from my hand; that was the highlight of my day, not the view.
Another must is that Patoka Lakethat not only offers lovers a paradise, but also families who want to create their boats. I rented a kayak there for the first time, and almost all the lake, because the sign “Only for experienced paddlers” somehow made too much promise. The docks are well signposted, and parking is a bit messy at most weekends, but this is part of the charm.
Back in the village there is Winslow General Storea shop that looks like he never left the 1950s. There are not only the usual snacks, but also handmade jams that are supposed to be cooked according to an old family recipe – I tried the strawberry jam and was sure that it contains a little too much love. The shop owner, an older man with a mustache, likes to tell about the “good old times” while offering you a glass of water that tastes more like tap water.
A short detour leads to Winslow Cemeterya quiet place where the tombstones betray more about the history of the place than any museum. I discovered the engraving of a veteran from the First World War, written in abandoned gold – a silent witness that Winslow is not only made up of modern cars, but of people who have lived and loved here.
For those who want to sniff a little culture, there is the small Winslow Historical Society Museum. It is not a large building, rather a re-functional shed, but the exhibitions – old tools, photos of village festivals, an original wooden chair from the 1800s – give you the feeling that the past is still present here. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a girl from the 1920s; that was the highlight for me, because it made the voice of a generation audible that otherwise goes down in the noise of modernity.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is the Winslow Attractionsthat come together every year in autumn to a small festival. Stands with homemade apple cake, live music from local bands and a competition with self-made wooden sleds – this is what makes Winslow a place where you can not only visit, but almost feel homely.
At the end a little hint: The Winslow Community Park is a popular meeting place for families who spread picnic blankets there and let the children toboggan on the playground. I started a spontaneous football match with a few locals, and although I lost the game, the laughing of the children was the true victory sign. So next time you drive through Patoka Township, stop, breathe in the fresh air and let yourself be enchanted by the mix of history, nature and a bit of slanted charm.
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