Visit Fillmore Putnam Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the beautiful place Fillmore in Indiana! Stroll through the historic city centre and visit the Fillmore Heritage Museum. Eat a traditional lunch at Fillmore Caf. Walk in Fillmore Park or Fillmore Lake. A great experience is the balloon rides over the place and the diving trips in the lake.
Honestly, if you think Indiana is just corn fields and endless highways, then you've never experienced the little, but self-willing Fillmore. Founded in 1855, the town has its name from a politician who barely knows anyone more – but this is the beauty: there is no exaggerated hype here, just a bit of history hidden between the old wooden houses and the silent cemetery. I usually drive over State Road 13, because the car doesn’t like to be stuck in the mud, and suddenly the sign “Welcome to Fillmore” appears as if it invites you personally to forget everyday life.
I don't understand all the rush around the big cities, but the small “Fillmore Sights” have their own charm: the old town hall, which still beats the heart of the municipality, and the shaky café on Main Street, where the coffee is stronger than the weather in autumn. If you have a little time, look at the historical schoolland – the brick walls tell you more about the region than any tourist book. And yes, the local museum is not a must, but the friendly smile of the locals is a real bonus. So, grab your car, take the next exit and let this underestimated spot surprise you Indiana.
I have to admit that what I love about Fillmore the most United Methodist Church is a red brick building from the 19th century Century that looks like an architect from the Victorian era had a bad day and decided to overdo everything a little. I stood there on a rainy Tuesday, when an elderly man with a hat that seemed to tell more story than the whole city museum told me that the organ is still tuned by hand; no joke that is part of attraction, because it is so rare that you still experience real handwork here.
Right next to the house of God, almost unnoticed, this is Town Hall, a small but proud building that knows more stories than most of us. I once tried to find a meeting that was supposedly “for the community” – it turned out that it was just a weekly chess club where seniors played the best trains while I wondered why I shouldn’t just stay at home and watch Netflix. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the annual “Fillmore Festival” blocks the street and everyone tries to get a place.
If you're looking for a place where you can take your shoes off and grab some fresh air, then it's the place where you're going. Community Park That's right. The place is small, but it has a baseball diamond, a playground and a small lake where ducks paddle in front of themselves – I once made a picnic that was interrupted by a horde of curious children who thought my sandwiches were “art projects”. Practical: There are some free parking behind the car park, and the entrance portal is always open because this is not exactly a tourist center.
A bit away from the hustle and bustle Historical Society Museum, which is actually the old school building that was built in 1912 and now serves as a mini museum. I found an old photo album there that documented the foundation of the city – a picture of a horse-drawn car that hits the main road, which was still unconsolidated at that time, and I thought: “Wow, that’s really what you’re under Fillmore Attractions understand. The exhibition is not big, but it has character, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are part of the story if you look long enough.
Another highlight I always mention is the General Store on Main Street. The store is a relic from a time when you could still talk to the owner about the weather before looking online for the weather. I bought a glass of homemade apple must there, which was so good that I almost forgot that I wanted to look in to admire the old cash register. The store has a small parking space right in front of the door – perfect if you are looking for a quick stop before you move on.
Last but not least, White River do not forget, who sneaks comfortably through the city. I built a small raft there on a hot summer day, which was of course immediately "sailed out" by the local angler because he thought it was a new fishing gear. The river is not the wildest, but it offers enough rest to read a book or just let the soul bangle while the sun goes over the fields. A small bridge at the end of the bridge is ideal to shoot a photo – and yes, this is a perfect spot for Instagram if you really need it.
The first stop I put to every visitor is that Shades State Park – a piece of forest that goes like a green curtain over the road as soon as you take the small branch to New Market. I once tried to arrange a picnic, only to be disturbed by a curious roof; that was not planned, but the experience has made the rustling of the leaves even more intense. Parking is available at the main entrance, and they are usually free as long as you don't get to the families from the neighboring towns on weekends.
A short detour to the south leads you to Turkey Run State Parkwhere the canyons are so tight that you feel like walking through a huge, natural labyrinth. I don't quite understand the hype around the “Hängebrücken” – they're shaking, yes, but that's what makes the whole thing a little adventure. The way to the viewpoint is well signposted, and parking is a children's game as long as you don't arrive there on Friday night after the barbecue.
If you have enough of nature and want to see something historical, that is Greencastle B & O Railroad Museum That's right. The museum is a small but fine refugium for railway fans, and I met an old locomotive guide who told me about the “golden days” of the rail, while he handed me a piece of coal to touch. The exhibition is freely accessible, and parking is located directly behind the building – a short walk that takes hardly more than a few minutes.
A little culture? Then stroll over the campus of the DePauw University. The old brick buildings look like a movie of the 1930s, and I once experienced an open concert outdoors where a student group improvised jazz while a squirrel coughed over the lawn area. The campus is open and parking is possible on the nearby visitor parking lot – but you should come early because the places are quickly occupied when lectures begin.
For history lovers among you there is Putnam County Historical Museum in the old town of Greencastle. I found an old diary that comes from a farmer from the 1880s – a real find that makes the hard reality of the land life tangible at that time. The museum is located in a historic building that is itself an exhibition piece, and parking is right outside the door, with the sign “Parking only for visitors” sometimes being taken a little too literally.
A short detour to Old Mill at the edge of Greencastle is worthwhile if you like the sound of crunchy wood and flowing water. I once discovered a small café serving homemade apple cake – no joke, that was really good. Access is via a small gravel path, and parking is a narrow field path that becomes somewhat slippery in rain, so better not arrive with the shoes of yesterday.
Finally, I recommend a walk along the Wabash River. The river winds through the countryside and offers truly impressive views, especially at sunset. I once saw a fishing boat that was controlled by an older couple who, according to their own statement, had caught the best fish since the invention of the fishing hook. Access to the river is possible at several places, and parking is usually found on the small, public parking along the road – only on the weekend it can become a bit fuller here.
Whether you are looking for nature, history or a bit of local culture, the surroundings of Fillmore have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. The above destinations show that the region around Fillmore sights is worth a visit – and that without crowded tourist paths.
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