Onward Cass Indiana - Top Sights 

• Onward Attractions – Tipton Township, Cass County Travel Guide
• Onward Sights & Attractions
• - Community Park
• - Onward Public Library
• - United Methodist Church
• - Town Hall
• - Fire department
• - Grain silo
• - Onward Cemetery
• Other special sights in the vicinity of Onward, Indiana
• - Logansport Courthouse
• - Logansport Riverwalk
• - Logansport Carnegie Library
• - Wabash and Erie Canal
• - Tipecanoe River State Park
• - Cedar Creek Trail
• - Mississinewa Lake
• Conclusion
• - Onward Attractions

Onward Attractions – Tipton Township, Cass County Travel Guide

Honestly, if you’re looking for “Onward Sights”, you’ll probably expect a mini wonderland from amusement parks, but the real jewel is the story that is here in Tipton Township, Cass County, in every old wooden beam and every dusty road. Just a few years ago, I was randomly stumbled over the small community when I took the I‐69 north from Indianapolis – a short detour over the US‐35, and suddenly Onward lies like a forgotten chapter from the 19th. Century before me. Founded in 1869, named after the train of the same name, which once held here, the town has never reached the splendour of large metropolises, but that is what makes the charm. The old railroad rails, which today are barely more than rusty relics, tell about a time when Onward was a hub for cereals and cattle. I don't understand the hype about modern mega cities, but here, between the fields of Cass County, you can feel the real Indiana – honestly, not a snuck, just honest land air and a few friendly faces that welcome you with a nap when you drive over County Road 22. And yes, if you ask yourself how to come here: a short stop at the next gas station in Galveston, then just follow Highway 35 until the sign “Onward” appears. This is the true experience I recommend to anyone looking for something authentic – without excessive tourist propaganda.

Onward Sights & Attractions

I have to confess: my favorite place in Onward is that Community Park. When you climb over the main road for the first time, you will immediately see the green rectangle with the old, slightly sloping baseball field – a relic from the 60s, which is still played by the kids in the area. I once tried to throw a frisbee there, and the thing landed right in the garbage bucket of the picnic pavilion – no joke, that was a real hit. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to grill.

A short walk down Main Street leads you to Onward Public Library. This is not some library, but a small but fine refugium for all who still believe in printed books. I found an old Almanach specimen that documented the harvest cycles of 1912 – a real treasure for nostalgics. The librarians know each regular guest by name, and if you're lucky, you'll even get a free coffee because the building is "joyed".

Now comes my slightly cynical moment: The United Methodist Church at the end of the main road is an architectural gem that I respect, but cannot fully understand the hype around the Sunday chore songs. Nevertheless, when you pass a Sunday, you hear the organ game, which is almost as loud as the ratter of the old tractors parked at the edge of the village. I read a poem there once – the audience was a bit confused, but the clock has rewarded me for ringing for the full hour.

A few steps further Town Hall, an inconspicuous brick building that houses more than just meetings of the city administration. Here you will find the weekly “Onward-Bier-und-Brettspiel-Treffen” in which the locals fight for the domination of “people do not annoy you”. I once discovered an old town plan that shows that Onward was once an important hub for the railway – a detail that most visitors never notice because they are too busy with the dice.

If you feel that you've got enough culture, look at it. Fire department on. This is a small but proud building operated by volunteers who spend more time organizing barbecues than actually extinguishing fires. I tried an old fire brigade helmet there – it was surprisingly easy, but that was probably a hint that the equipment is no longer fully up to date.

A short detour to the old Grain silo on the railway iron is a must for all who appreciate industrial romance. The silver scaffold projects over the fields and remembers that Onward still has an agricultural heart. I took a photo that now hangs in my living room because the picture captures the perfect mix of nostalgia and rustic charm.

Last but not least, and this is perhaps the most underestimated jewel, Onward Cemetery on the edge of the village. It's not exactly a place for parties, but the old tombstones tell stories you can't find in any guide. I once discovered a veteran from the First World War, whose inscription says that he died “for freedom and beer” – a sentence that perfectly summarizes the local mentality.

If you now think that this is too much, let me tell you that the Onward Attractions are really easy to explore as long as you are ready to walk a bit and savour a bit more. I have the feeling that everyone who comes here will come back at some point – not because it is a tourist destination, but because people here simply have a little more heart than most big city people.

Other special sights in the vicinity of Onward, Indiana

The first stop I could not miss was the imposing Logansport Courthousethat thrones over the city like a stone memorial for any bureaucracy you can only imagine. I stood there on a windy Tuesday morning, while a van with freshly baked donuts passed – that was the only thing that made the gray brick a bit more bearable. Parking is usually easy, a small parking lot behind the town hall is enough, as long as you don't come on Friday night, then this becomes a real patience game.

A short walk down the main road leads you to Logansport Riverwalk, where the Wabash River turns into a calm mirror image that even the toughest travellers are a little contemplative. I once tried to make a selfie, while a duck ruddle suddenly attacked my camera – no joke, that was a real test for my reflexes. The path is well signposted, and the free bike parking system is a small comfort for those who prefer not to leave their bike in the car.

Only a few blocks further Logansport Carnegie Library, a building that houses more books than I could read in my whole life. I found an old, dusty copy of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” that was apparently on the shelf since the 1920s – a real treasure for nostalgics. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the small town has hardly any free places; I finally had to park on the street and wait a few minutes until a car left.

If you have enough of urban flair, a detour to Wabash and Erie Canal-Rest piece that hides just outside Logansport. I discovered an old lock house, which today serves as a small museum and tells the story of the canal boats that once formed the backbone of the trade. The way there is a narrow field path, which is lined in summer by poppy flowers – an image I will never forget, because I was almost passed over by a tractor that suddenly came out of nowhere.

For nature lovers Tipecanoe River State Park a must, even though it's a bit further. I spent a weekend walking and fishing there, and must admit that the high of the river is almost therapeutic – at least until a swarm decided to test my skin. The entrance is free, and parking is easy at the main parking lot at the entrance as long as you are not there on the first Saturday of the month, because then the whole village comes to the picnic.

Another highlight is the Cedar Creek Trail, a 12 km long cycle path leading through fields and small villages. I tried the trail on a sunny autumn morning, while I turned up my favorite playlist loudly and suddenly was greeted by a tractor driver with a friendly “good morning!” – a real Indiana experience. The trail is well marked and you can park your bike at most intersections for free if you need a break.

The Mississinewa Lake not missing, a popular destination for water sportsmen and families. I rented a kayak there and explored the quiet lake, while a few children on the shore played with water guns – that was almost too idyllic to be true. Parking is big enough for a few cars at the main entrance, but it can be tight on the weekend, so it's better to come early.

Conclusion

All these places show that the surroundings of Onward have more to offer than one would suspect at first glance – from historical architecture to tranquil nature to small adventures on the cycle path. So those looking for authentic experiences should not only be limited to the city, but the diverse Onward Attractions in the region.