Visit Hartford City Blackford Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the American city of Hartford City in Indiana! Experience the historic downtown district and Old Settlers' Park. Do not miss Lakeside attractions such as Lake Wawasee or Lake Manitou. Enjoy traditional specialities at the local restaurant "The Cottage".
Honestly, if you're looking for a place that combines history and a bit of slanted charm, then Hartford City's sights are just right – at least from my slightly cynical point of view. The city was founded in 1853, at the time still a modest junction in the Middle West, and experienced a short but heavy upswing in the 1880s thanks to the oil boom, leaving more dust than shine. Today, Hartford City is located in the heart of Licking Township, which is part of Blackford County – a name that you probably don't find in the 10-year-old guide, but which is on shields everywhere.
I don't quite understand the hype about the old railroad rails, but the small depot that still serves as a cafe is really great for a fast espresso when you arrive by car over the state road 3 (parking is on the edge, no joke). Highway 9 takes you from Indianapolis in about an hour, and if you prefer to arrive by train, there is a stop in the neighboring city of Montpelier – a short jump with the taxi, and you are in the middle of the action.
What I like most personally is the unpretentious cityscape: a few old brick buildings, a town hall that looks like it didn't leave a 19-year-old, and a park where the locals test their barbecues on Sundays. So if you want to experience a piece of Indiana that is not overrun by tourists, grab your suitcases and look at the Hartford City attractions – you will be surprised how much character is in such a small spot country.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my heart for the old, crunching scaffold of the Blackford County Historical Society Museum not only because I found my first real fossil from the Indiana Earth layer. The museum is located in the venerable, former County Courthouse, whose bricks tell more stories than you could see in New York all weekend. If you're wondering if this is a tourist magnet, let's be honest: the number of visitors is rather modest, but that makes the charm. Parking is usually easy, except on the first Saturday of the month, when the local historian meets the parking garage.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Hartford City Water Tower, this huge, rusty colossus that watches over the city like a murrical giant from an old comic. I once made a picnic there because I thought that was romantic – and yes, the water doesn't taste better there, but the view of the endless fields is really great. If you ask yourself if you should take a picture there: In any case, because this is the only motive you will find later in your Instagram feed with the hashtag #HartfordCity attractions.
Go on Hartford City Depot, the old station, which today serves as a small café. I drank a latte there, while an old railway driver told me about the “golden days” when trains stopped here regularly. The store has only a few tables, so be ready to wait a bit when you show up there at noon – but this is part of the experience, not a joke.
A bit further, almost unnoticed, this is Hartford City Courthouse Square. The square is surrounded by a series of ancient oaks, and in the middle there is a monument reminiscent of the founding time of the city. I once heard a street musician’s duet from the 1920s, which suddenly appeared in the middle of the summer – a real highlight you don’t plan, but that’s still thrilling you. When you arrive by car, there is a small, free parking space behind the town hall; that is a lucky case because the road around the place is often blocked by vans.
The Hartford City Public Library is another jewel I like to mention because it has more than just books – it houses a mini exhibition of local artworks created by students of the surrounding area. I found an old diary there that belonged to a former mayor; that was a real find that gave me the feeling of touching a piece of history. The library has cozy armchairs, so after a long walk you can sit down and read a little – this is almost like a mini holiday in the heart of the city.
If you're lucky to be in Hartford City on a Saturday in the summer, you should Hartford City Fairgrounds visit. The annual county festival takes place there, with carousels, local food stands and a lot of people who talk more about their homeland than you would ever think necessary. I won a pumpkin competition there once – well, I only took second place, but that was a reason to celebrate.
A last but not less important place is that Hartford City Center. I tried a yoga course for beginners there because I thought that would be a good way to get to know the locals. The course was a bit chaotic (some participants confused the mats), but the atmosphere was warm and the staff gave me some insider tips on the best breakfast bakeries in the city – a real bonus if you're looking for a long day.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie, just half an hour drive from Hartford City. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the whole hype about “art in a park” – the sculptures sometimes look more like lost garden figures that someone stole from the 80s catalogue. Nevertheless, the well-maintained gardens are a real eye-catcher, and the historic house of the Miller family tells of a time when gas boom millionaires could still taste real parties. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem.
A short detour to David Owsley Museum of Art on the Ball State University campus was a welcome contrast. I almost felt like a school child who secretly sneaks into the library to read the forbidden comics – only that here the “Comics” consist of Monet, Warhol and a surprisingly large collection of Indian ceramics. The atmosphere is surprisingly quiet because most visitors prefer to visit the cafeteria as the halls, but this gives me the freedom to look at the paintings at ease without being disturbed by loud groups of students.
Further north, almost in the hinterland, lies Mounds State Park at Anderson. The earth here is not only earth, but a huge open-air museum from the Bronze Age. I was actually standing in the middle of the ancient hills built by the Adena and Hopewell cultures, and I thought: “Here people have more sense for long-term projects than me.” The hiking trail is well developed, the visitor center offers a few handy maps, and the bathing lake is a refreshing retreat in the summer – if you are not being persecuted by a horde duck.
A little less spectacular, but much more practical, the Wabash River Heritage Trail. The path stretches along the river, past old mills and a few rusted ship remains that look more like art project than functional history. I made my morning jogging round there and met a few locals who told me that “trail running” is almost a religious ritual here. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the beginning of the route is usually free as long as you don't come at the weekend.
A short trip after bluffone brought me to the heart of the small town, where the historic town hall and the Carnegie library almost seem like a set of films from the 1930s. I met an old man there who told me that the city was once a centre for the gas industry and today only lives on the annual “Bluffton-Heritage Festivals”. The atmosphere is cozy, the café next to the library serves the best apple cake I have eaten since my childhood – no joke.
Back in Muncie, but this time not for art, but for a little drama, I visited this Muncie Civic Theatre. The stage is small, the curtains a little worn out, but the actors give everything as if it were Broadway. I saw a local production of “Our Town” there and had to melt because the city that represents the piece is not much larger than Hartford City itself. Nevertheless, the theatre has a charm you can't buy – and the popcorn is surprisingly good.
A last short stop led me after Andersonwhere the Anderson Museum of Art offers a surprisingly wide range of local art to international classics. I was there because a friend had recommended me to see the “hidden jewel” of the region, and I must admit that the museum actually has a little too much dust on the shelves, but the changing exhibitions keep the whole fresh. The car park is usually empty as long as you don't get to the exhibition opening.
So if you're in the area next time, don't forget that Hartford City Attractions not only include the city centre itself. The surrounding area offers a colourful mix of art, history and nature, which can unleash a smile to any easily cynical traveller – even if you think about the local hype.
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