Visit La Fontaine Wabash Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. La Fontaine - the "Caribbean Silk City"! Discover the little paradise in Indiana. Recreation on the banks of the Wabash River and the famous wood plants of Cosson's Woods Park. Enjoy traditional specialities such as Fried Catfish or Sweet Corn Hush Puppies in the local restaurant. #LaFontaineIndiana #Travel tips
Honestly, if you're looking for La Fontaine attractions, you must first understand that this tiny little town in the heart of Liberty Township, Wabash County, Indiana, has more history than you would suspect at first sight. Founded in 1855 as a railway hub, La Fontaine has never lost its modest size – and that is kind of charming. I usually drive by car over State Road 16, because the bus is more of a myth here, and that gives me the freedom to spontaneously hold on to the small field crossings that make up the true Indiana.
A short detour to the old cemetery, where the graves of the first settlers rest in simple, weathered stones, feels like a conversation with the past – without a buckling taste, just honest stones. The former post office, which today serves as a café, lies directly next to it; here there is the best black coffee I've ever drank, and the staff knows every visitor by name because everyone here is a little neighborhood.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big cities, but the La Fontaine sights I discovered here are for me the true highlight of a trip: authentic, slightly cynical and unfaithful. So next time you drive over the country roads, stop – you won't regret it.
I have to admit that my favorite place in La Fontaine is not some hip Rooftop bar, but the inconspicuous La Fontaine Park at the corner of Main and Oak. I sit there almost every Sunday morning with a coffee-to-go and watch the local joggers turn their rounds while the kids circle on the old but still working playground. Parking is usually a Klacks – a few free places right on the edge of the lawn – except on Saturday night, the field turns into an improvised concert area and the cars stand like trees in the forest.
A short walk further leads you to La Fontaine Public Library, a tiny but surprisingly well-stocked branch of Hendricks County Public Library. I found more than once a dusty book about the history of the railway that I could never put out of my hand. The librarian, Ms. Hansen, knows every regular guest on the name and repeatedly raises ironic remarks about the “big” city libraries in Indianapolis – no joke, you still feel like a VIP here if you can borrow the latest magazine.
If you have enough of quiet reading rooms, stroll down the main road to La Fontaine Historic District. The old brick buildings from the early 1900s have never lost their charm, and I do not understand the hype around “vintage”, but the crumbling wood of the old bakery and the yellowed sign of “Miller’s General Store” have something calming. I once tried a piece of apple cake that is supposed to be made according to a family recipe from 1923 – honestly, that was better than any gourmet creation I've ever read in a blog.
A short detour to the right brings you to La Fontaine Water Tower, the most striking landmark of the city. The rusty colossus protrudes over the roofs and at sunset is a popular photo motif for Instagram users who believe they have discovered something that no one has seen. I have never made a picnic there – this is not exactly a shady place – but I enjoy when the locals in the summer send their children there for climbing because it is “adventurous”.
A bit further down the road, almost hidden behind the small supermarket, lies the La Fontaine Town Hall. The 1912 building is not only an administrative centre, but also the place where the “Liberty-Township Picnic” takes place every year. I remember the year when I participated in a barbecue competition from pure curiosity and my self-made BBQ ribs – which I had cooked from a recipe from an old family book – were evaluated by the jury as “interesting but too salty”. Nevertheless, the food there was better than what you get in most fast food chains.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that La Fontaine Community Center. The center not only houses yoga classes on Wednesday night (I once tried to master the “Downward Dog” and looked like a crashed chair), but also the weekly artisan markets where local artists sell their creations. I bought a handmade pottery that now stands proudly on my kitchen table – a piece that I would never have thought of as “tourist”, but that immediately upgrades my kitchen.
And yes, if you have a list of La Fontaine Attractions search, you will quickly realize that the city cannot compete with the big metropolises, but that's exactly what makes the charm. Every place here has its own history, and I find it always amazing how much personality is in a place you can hardly find on the map if you don't look closely.
Finally, a little hint I almost always forget to mention: The annual autumn festival at the end of October is a true spectacle – carousels, pumpkin stands and a local choir singing old folk songs. I tried a freshly pressed apple juice there for the first time, which was so good that I almost took the whole barrel. So if you're in La Fontaine the next time, don't miss it – it's what makes this little town really live.
The first stop I never miss is that Wabash County Historical Museum in the neighboring town of Wabash, about 12 km south of La Fontaine. The building itself is an old bank palace from the 1880s, and in it artefacts are stacked, which tell more about the pioneers than any Instagram story ever could. I found a handwritten diary entry there, reported by a blacksmith from 1865 – a real eye-catcher if you have enough patience to pierce the showcases. Parking is almost always a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday afternoon when the museum is overrun by school classes.
A short detour to the north leads to Wabash County Courthouse, an imposing brick building that looks almost a bit exaggerated with its Romanesque facade – but hey, this is Indiana. I don't understand the hype about historical court buildings, but the artistic pillars and the huge movement inside have convinced me that more than just legal disputes are being dealt with here. The small car park behind the building is rarely full, and a short walk through the adjacent city park gives you the feeling of walking in another time.
If you have enough of dusty halls, the path continues to Wabash River Heritage Trail. The path stretches along the river and offers both cyclists and hikers a piece of untouched nature, which is rarely found in this area. I once observed a sunset where the water glittered like liquid gold – no joke, that was almost too beautiful to be true. The trail is accessible for free, and parking on the trailhead is usually easy, except for weekends when local families start the picnic game.
A bit further east is the Mississinewa Lakean artificial lake that is a magnet for anglers and boaters. I tried my first carp fishing there and was surprised how peaceful the water remains despite the occasional engine noises. The visitor centre on the shore offers basic information, and parking is almost never a problem thanks to the generous lottery places – only in the summer it can become a bit tight when the weather is particularly inviting.
A short trip to Lagro brings you to the charming Lagro Town Square and the historic Lagro Bridge, an old iron bridge that leads over the Wabash River. The little town has a unique charm that reminds me every time I appreciate the land life. I once experienced a local street festival where the residents sold homemade apple cakes – a sweet contrast to the industrial impressions of the larger cities. Parking is practically at the place, but you should come early, otherwise you have to run a few blocks.
Lastly, the annual Wabash County Fairgrounds-I'm not missing. The terrain is just a few kilometres south of La Fontaine and turns every spring into a colorful drive from rides, cattle shows and local crafts stands. I have had more than once the opportunity to taste fresh corn flasks that came directly from the field – a taste that you do not find in the supermarket. Parking is generous, but on the main days the terrain fills up quickly, so better arrive early.
Whether historians, nature lovers or just someone looking for an authentic piece of Indiana, the surroundings of La Fontaine offer a colourful mix of culture, history and leisure opportunities. These La Fontaine Attractions show that the surrounding area has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance, and they invite to return again and again to discover new details.
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