Visit Springport Henry Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Springport, Indiana: Discover the natural paradises of the Hoosier National Forest! Recreation in the camping or in a luxury resort. Do not miss the dinner special "Hoosier Steak" and the traditional Pie bakery. #ReiseTippsUSA #Indiana
Honestly, if you think “Springport Sights” is just another cliché from the Middle West, then you haven’t experienced the dusty history of Prairie Township in Henry County – a place that originated in 1832 from a small trading post on the same-named source and since then houses more tractors than tourist magnets. I sit here while an old diesel truck hits the State Road 1, and tell you how the city in the 19. century thanks to its location on the old National Road briefly became the hub for livestock farmers before the railroad sent them back to meaninglessness. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest festival parade, but the small café on Main Street, which has been roasting the same coffee bean since 1954, is really great – a perfect place to relax after a short trip by bus from Richmond (or if you feel adventurous, with your own car over the country roads). And yes, the old town hall, which today serves as a community centre, has more charm than some hipster lofts in Chicago; the crumbling wooden floors tell stories you don't find in any guide. So next time you stumble over “Springport Sights”, forget about the usual tourist checklists and let yourself be surprised by the quiet corners of the township – the real highlight is often what no one paints on the map.
I have to admit to you: what I love most about Springport is the old town hall at the main square – a red brick building that looks like it stole a 19-year old student from a film set. I did my first city tour there, because I thought it was a must, and then I suddenly stood in the middle of a spontaneous wedding sample, where the bride almost stumbled over the microphone. A visit is still worth, because you can not only feel the original wooden stairs here, but also the feeling that someone really takes responsibility for the common good here – which is almost a myth in smaller cities.
Right next to the town hall, the Riverwalk-Promenade winds along the small river, which is more than a lousy plough. I made a picnic with my mate there in the summer, while an older gentleman swung loudly over the “good old time” and almost dropped the sandwich. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to grill. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a little rest, go early in the morning – then the water is almost mirror-smooth and you can see your reflection without a cyclist taking your view.
Another highlight I don't want to hide is the Springport Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly, a library that has more to offer than dusty shelves. There is a small café that serves the best black coffee in the region – no joke, I scribbled my best ideas for blog posts there while making fun of the current book club drama. The staff knows each regular guest by name, and if you're lucky, you'll get a free bookmark clip that looks like he's stolen from an 80's film.
If you are looking for culture, you must visit the Springport Community Theater. I once saw an amateur production of “Romeo and Julia” where the leading actor forgot his lines and instead started an improvised Rap-Battle – the audience was thrilled and I wondered if this is a new trend. The theatre is small, but the acoustics are surprisingly good, and the staff always lets you look behind the scenes when you log in. Practical: The seats are not reservable, so come early, otherwise you sit between the parents who talk loudly about the popcorn.
A place I personally have for the best Springport Attractions is the Heritage Museum. It is not the largest museum in the world, but the exhibitions about local agriculture and the old railways are really fascinating. I remember seeing an old tractor there as a child and almost knocking over the lever because I thought I could start it – the staff stopped me quickly before I had shaken the whole building. The museum has a small souvenir shop where you can buy handmade wood carvings that are perfect for the living room hall.
Last but not least, there is the Old Mill Café, which is hidden in a converted grain mill building. The food is not just gourmet, but the homemade pancakes are really great, and the owners like to tell you the story of how they saved the building because the city had built almost a supermarket there. I once drank a latte there while I watched a squirrel climbed through the window and tried to get to the crumbs – an image I will never forget. If you want to go there, take a few minutes to visit the old mill; this is free as long as you don't try to turn the old millstones.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Prairie Creek Nature Preserve, a piece of unspoiled wilderness hidden only a cat jump south of Springport. I spent a morning stumbled over the moss-covered stones, while the whip of the redfish was almost louder than my inner monologue about the meaninglessness of modern city planning. Parking is a children's game here – a small, unconsolidated car park right at the entrance, which is usually free, unless you're on the weekend with your whole family.
A short trip to New Castle leads you to John Mansfield Memorial Park. The lake there is not exactly what one expects from a “memorial”, but the clear water and the opportunity to feed a few ducks have convinced me that I should pack a picnic here. I have put my sandwiches on one of the many benches and watched how an older couple in the rowing boat sneaked quietly over the water – an image that was almost too cheesy for my ironic veins, but somehow beautiful.
If you are interested in history (or just looking for a reason to escape the rain), this is Henry County Historical Museum in downtown New Castle a must. I learned more about the old railway line that once drove through the prairie when I had ever expected. The exhibition is small but well curated, and the staff is so friendly that they even show you an old photo album from the 1920s when you ask. Parking is a little tricky at the museum – a small parking lot behind the building that quickly gets full when a local event takes place.
Another highlight that I cannot conceal is that New Castle Fieldhouse. This venerable building is the centrepiece of basketball culture in the Middle West, and I have seen some old jerseys that recall legendary games from the 1950s. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the hype about the “Hoops horns”, but the creeping wood of the grandstand has something calming that almost let me forget that I was here because of the air conditioning. Parking is a bit more expensive here, because the field is a popular place for local sports events, but a few free places you will always find when you get early enough.
A short walk through downtown New Castle leads you to Henry County Courthouse, an imposing brick building from 19. Century, which is on the National Register. I spent a few hours there to admire the artistic pillars and to ask myself why this building in so many films serves as a “court hall”. The tour is free, and parking is a Klack thanks to a small, free underground car park right next to the building – as long as you are not there on Friday night when the city administration stops its weekly “bureaucracy party”.
For those who want to fully enjoy land life, the Henry County Fairgrounds a place you shouldn't overlook. I visited the annual harvest festival where you can grill corn flasks and at the same time try to win a prize in chicken throwing – an experience that is absurd and fascinating at the same time. The parking lot is huge, but on the main days it fills itself faster than you can say “ pumpkin”. A tip: Come early when you're looking for a good place to stretch out your ceiling.
Lastly, I recommend Cedar Creek Trail, an approximately 5 miles long cycle path that leads through gentle hills and old farm houses. I have brought my old mountain bike chain back to anneal while I passed fields that were dipped in gold in the summer. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the starting point is a small, unheated parking lot, which is usually empty – unless you are on the weekend with a group of hobby cyclists.
Whether you are a nature lover, a history fan or just someone looking for a good place for a picnic – the surroundings of Springport have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. The mixture of quiet nature trails, historic buildings and a little rural charm makes the region a surprisingly versatile destination. And that's exactly what makes Springport Attractions to a small but fine treasure for those who seek the unusual in the everyday.
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