What makes Spurgeon sights so special is the silent story that hides between the fields of Monroe Township in the heart of Pike County. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time and almost listening to the quiet ratter of the former freight trains – an echo from the 1800s, when pioneers built their first barns here and rode the land for agriculture. The foundation of Spurgeon can be traced back to the year 1852, when a small post was created at the Stagecoach path and quickly became a meeting point for farmers and traders.
If you're running the state road 57 by car today or take the regional bus from Evansville, you can immediately feel that the time here is slower – no joke, the only sounds are the circlips of the grills and the occasional horns of a tractor. I don't understand the hype about the big metropolises, but the honest, almost rustic hospitality in Spurgeon is an experience you shouldn't overlook. And yes, the “Spurgeon Sights” include not only old buildings, but also the people who still beat their roots deep into the earth of this small but proud place.
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 Spurgeon, 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 I put to every visitor is that Patoka Lake – a huge piece of water, which lays like a mirror over the flat hills of Pike County, spraying more charm than some city lake. I remember the summer when I paddled over the smooth waves with a folding inflatable boat and suddenly a swarm duck crossed my route; that was less romantic than I had imagined, but a real Indiana moment. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night after the annual fireworks – then the field behind the visitor center becomes the battlefield of cars and vacuum cleaners.
A short tap into the adjacent Hoosier National Forest lets you forget you're just a few miles away from Spurgeon. The trails here are not exactly the most well-kept, but this is exactly what I love about them: a bit of gum, a few fallen trees and the occasional rustling that reminds you that you are not alone. Last year I discovered almost one bear when trying to explore the “Pine Trail” – fortunately, it was just a very big raccoon who wanted to steal the last mosquito bar.
Back in civilization, this may be Pike County Courthouse in Petersburg not missing. This imposing brick building from the 1920s looks like a relic from a time when dishes were still equipped with wooden banquets and not with Wi-Fi. I once observed a court appointment where the judge spoke more about the weather in Ohio than about the actual procedure – a real proof that time is slower here. Parking right in front of the house is free, but be warned: the road is narrow, and an excessively broad car could easily become a local theme of conversation.
Only a few blocks further Pike County Historical Museum, a small but fine museum that reveals more about local history than one would expect from a place with less than 2,000 inhabitants. I saw an old carriage there, which was supposed to be used by the first settlers – it still smelled like old leather and a bit after the dust my grandmother used to swirl in the barn. Admission is free, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are part of the exhibition.
If you want some action, there's no way to Patoka River by. The river is a popular destination for canoes and anglers, and I once tried to catch a pike, just to realize that the water was colder than my last coffee. The docks are well signposted, and parking is usually easy – except for the hot summer days when the whole region becomes a bathing lake.
Another highlight is the Patoka Lake Marinawhere you can rent boats without spending a fortune. I tried a small motorboat there, which made more noise than a kindergarten full of children, but gave an unforgettable feeling of freedom. The marina has a small kiosk that serves amazingly good hot dogs – a culinary highlight that you should not underestimate.
For those who want to experience land life in its most buntest form, Pike County Fairgrounds in August a must. The annual County Fair is a mix of cattle upgrades, carousels and a lot of people who believe that the best food is made of sugar cane and fried corn flasks. I once observed a box tournament that was won by a 12-year-old girl – a moment that reminded me that even in the most remote areas talent flourishes.
Whether you are looking for nature, history or a little rural hustle and bustle, the surroundings of Spurgeon have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. The combination of lake, forest, historic buildings and local events makes the region a surprisingly versatile destination. So, the next time you think about where to spend your spare time, the Spurgeon Attractions do not forget – they are the true heart of this little, but fine spot Indiana.
The history of Spurgeon begins long before the first highway sign I have ever overlooked, and I have to admit that I only got the feeling when passing on the old railway bridge, here could actually happen something interesting.
My personal favorite spot is undoubtedly the Spurgeon United Methodist Church. The red brick building from the early 20. The small centre dominates the century, and although the organ already has a few tones too much of time, the Sunday service vocals still sound amazingly good. I once caught a pastor, as he secretly took a few beers from the refrigerator in the municipal house after the sermon – no joke, that was almost a local myth. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small parking area will quickly become a battlefield.
A short walk leads you to Spurgeon Cemeterywhere the tombstones tell more stories than some guides. I found the artfully carved tomb of a family who died of the plague in 1912 – yes, that was a real outbreak, not some Hollywood script. The terrain is well maintained, and the quiet rustling of the trees is almost meditative when you leave the city behind.
If you want to feel the rural heart of Indiana, you need the old one Spurgeon Grain Elevator Look. The massive wooden and steel structure on the edge of the main road is no longer in operation, but the view from the outside is a real Instagram hat – at least for those who like to post rusted industrial romanticism. I once met an old farmer who told me that the building used to house more grain than people. Today it serves as a camp for the local museum, which however only exhibits a few old tractors and a few yellowed maps.
A short detour to Community Park shows that the city does not consist entirely of dust and field paths. The playground is small, but clean, and the picnic tables are ideal to enjoy a sandwich while listening to the sound of the grills – a sound that I only know from movies. The park has a small lake where ducks swim in the summer; I even saw a duck baby who took courageously after my shoe because I was too loud.
Another must is that Spurgeon Volunteer Fire Department. The red fire trucks stand there like colorful guard posts, and the staff is always ready to tell a little story while showing the old inflatable from the 1950s. I once asked a fireman why they still wear the old helmets, and he grinned only: “Because we are too proud to buy new ones.” The building has a small meeting room where you can chat with a coffee about the latest city rumors.
A little off the main road lies the former Trackgeon Schoolhouse, which today serves as a community centre. The original wooden benches are still there, and the walls are covered with pictures of class trips from the 60s. I have experienced a meeting of the local historian group, who passionately discussed why the old school building has never been demolished – apparently because it is the only building that still emits “real” lane geon flair.
And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about the “Spurgeon Sights”, but when you put the little details together – the church, the cemetery, the grain silo, the park, the fire department and the old school house – you get a picture that has more charm than some big city boutiques. Those who want to experience the authentic Indiana should not only walk through the area, but take the time to explore the individual corners, because there is more history here than one would suspect at first sight.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
