Visit Somerville Gibson Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Somerville in Indiana and experience the tranquil nature of the surroundings. Visit the Shades State Park or Whitewater Memorial State Park and enjoy swimming, fishing or hiking. In the city you will also find the Old Jail Museum to explore the history of the region.
What makes Somerville sights so special is the unique mix of historical silence and the quiet noise of lunch when I depart from the I‐64 and cross the small fields of Barton Township. I have to admit that I don't understand all the hype about small towns in the Middle West, but here the story actually has something to tell: Founded in 1850, Somerville grew thanks to the railway line that once led from Chicago to New Orleans, and since then remained a quiet anchor in rural Indiana. The old brick houses on the main road remind of the time when the municipality was still an important hub for cereals and cattle – a charm that today is only found in the façades and the few but proud inhabitants.
When I stroll through the small park, I see children who ride over the headstone paver with squeaking skateboards, while the older ladies on the benches exchange their daily news – an image that sounds almost too cheesy when you haven't seen it yourself. The next supermarket is just a short detour over the County Road 300, and the local diner serves the best pancake in the 30 miles radius – no joke, that's really good. For travellers who do not want to land at major airports, Evansville Regional Airport is only half an hour away, and from there, Somerville can be easily reached by car. I like not being overrun here by tourist crowds; Instead you get a real piece of Indiana that you rarely find in travel guides. And that's exactly what makes the Somerville sights an underestimated jewel for those looking for the authentic.
This guide invites you to explore with me a small but surprisingly charming spot Indiana, which I have been secretly a “secret oasis” since my childhood.
For me, the Somerville Depot, a knorriger brick-built railway station, which today serves as a museum. I have to admit, I don't understand the whole “Railroad-Hype” completely, but the crunching sound of the old Telegrapher-Moresezeichen, which is still occasionally replayed here, has something magical. Parking is usually easy – a small parking lot behind the building is enough, except on Saturday afternoons when the local historian group is doing a special program and suddenly every place is occupied.
A short walk leads you to United Methodist Church from 1885. The Gothic façade is not what you would expect in Instagram feeds, but the wooden benches and the sounding organ play have a peculiar charm. I visited a Sunday service coffee meeting there once; the church was so warm that I almost forgot that I was here because of the architecture.
If you have a faible for quiet places, then the Somerville Cemetery That's right. Between weathered gravestones from 19. Century lies a small path surrounded by oaks, which invites to think. I found an old veteran grave there, whose inscription reminded me of the forgotten stories of the city – a real “Aha-Moment” when speaking the word “Somerville Sights” loudly and suddenly the rustling of the leaves sounds like applause.
Another highlight is the Town Hall, a simple brick building that since 1912 strikes the administrative heart of the municipality. The inner walls are decorated with old photographs showing how the town became from an agricultural settlement to the small but proud place I know today. Practical: The town hall has a small visitor area where you can take a few brochures for free – ideal if you want to learn more about local history.
For those who prefer something active, there is Somerville Community Center. There are frequent flea markets, dance evenings and even a weekly yoga course. I took part in a “Karaoke Thursday” there once; the mixture of slanted tones and loud applause was a real proof that the inhabitants of Somerville did not lose their humor.
A short detour leads you to Somerville Parka tiny green piece with an old playground and a bench that is perfect for watching the passing tractors. On a sunny afternoon you can hear almost the sum of the bees mixed with the distant rat of a tractor – a sound you only get here.
Lastly, Somerville Volunteer Fire Department Museum mentioned. It is not a big museum, but the old fire brigade and the crunchy, restored extinguishing vehicle from the 1950s give an insight into what the city holds together. I met a former firefighter there who told me that the “Rufen nach Hilfe” is still the loudest noise in the place – and that made my view of the community a little deeper.
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