Visit Dunkirk Jay Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Greensburg in Indiana and visit the Historic New Courthouse, an impressive example of neo-Gothic architecture. Do not miss the annual Festival of Lights!
Honestly, when I hear the word “Greensburg Sights”, I think first of all about the dusty history of this little jewel in the heart of Washington Township, Decatur County – founded in 1822, shortly after the Indiana expansion, and since then the administrative center of the area. I don't understand the hype about metropolises, but here every street has a bit of character, and this is not just the old brick building of the County Courthouse, which has been watching over the cityscape for over 150 years. I usually come by car over US‐421, because the connection to I‐74 is practical, and if I like to have a long distance, I jump into the Greyhound bus to Indianapolis – this is not exactly a luxury, but it works.
A short trip to the city centre shows that local shops have more personality than some chains in big cities; the small café on Main Street serves a coffee that is almost as strong as my opinion on tourist traps. And yes, I did not forget the “Greensburg Sights” thing: The old railway shed, now an art project, is a parade example of how to keep history not only, but give it a new purpose. So if you're looking for a place that doesn't try to dazzle you with glitter, but with honest, slightly cynical authenticity, you're right here.
I have to confess that the first thing that comes to my mind when I am Palace Theatre think that is an old cinema room that has more charm than some hipster café in Berlin – and that wants to mean something. The building from the 1930s stands in the middle of the historic core of Greensburg and has not completely abandoned the barring leather seats, although the popcorn now smells like industrial corn. I saw an indie film there the other day, and while the projection wobbled a bit, the audience was so excited that I almost forgot that the projector room still heats with an old coal thread. Parking? Mostly no problem as long as you do not arrive on Friday night after the “Greensburg Filmfest” – then the small parking space field in front of the theatre becomes a battlefield.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Decatur County Courthousean imposing brick building that looks like someone stole it from a film set. The dome is a real eye-catcher, and the interior is equipped with marble columns that tell more about the history of the city than any museum. I once observed a trial there – no joke, that was more exciting than any reality show, because the lawyers seem to have real arguments here. If you ask yourself if you can enter the building: Yes, that is public, but bring some patience, because the security control sometimes takes longer than the actual procedure.
Directly next to the court building Greensburg Carnegie Library, a place I like to name as the “Herzschlag-Zentrum” of the city. The library is not only a place to read, but also a meeting place for local book clubs and occasional art exhibitions. I once experienced a Poetry-Sl Slam where a pensioner from the neighborhood had a poem about his cat – that was better than any Netflix special. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the road is only one-track, but a short walk from the main road is enough to reach the building.
If you're looking for something green, then the Greensburg City Park That's right. The park has a small lake, a few old benches and a playground that is used more by the children of the city than the local swimming pool. I made a picnic there in the summer, while an older gentleman told me that he has been fishing here since his youth – and that, although fishing here is officially only allowed with an authorization that you get at the town hall. Parking is convenient: a large parking lot behind the playground, but on weekends it can be filled because the families unpack the barbecue.
A little away from the center lies Decatur County Historical Society Museumhoused in a renovated old school building. There you will find exhibitions about the pioneering period, old tools and even an original murderer who allegedly once pulled the postal carriage. I have experienced a guided tour with an enthusiastic historian who knew more about local history than any guide. The museum is free, but the donation box at the entrance is always well filled – people here like to give when they realize that their city has a bit of pride.
Another jewel I don't want to conceal is that St. Michael’s Catholic Church. The church from the late 19. The century has a beautiful bell game, which is ringing at 10 o'clock on Sundays and awakening the whole neighborhood. I was once at a fair where the municipality shared a traditional Hoagie bread – that was a culinary highlight that I will never forget. Parking is a bit tight here, because the road in front of the church offers hardly space for cars, but a short walk from the main road is not a problem.
And because I don't just want to tell the usual suspects, I still have to Lick Creek Trail mentioning that sounds through the rural green of Washington Township. The path is not particularly spectacular, but it leads you through fields, over small bridges and occasionally offers a view of the old mill, which is still photographed by tourists. I once watched a sunset there while an older couple had their dogs run – that was almost poetic if you don't take it too seriously. The trail is freely accessible, and parking is at the beginning of the path where a small car park stands for a few cars.
If you now think that I only list my favorite places here, then you're right – that's what a slightly cynical but passionate local does. And if you ask yourself what else you can see in Greensburg, just look at the Greensburg Attractions that you find online – but believe me, nothing beats the real experience when you stroll through the streets and discover the small peculiarities of the city.
The first stop I put to every visitor is the silent water of the Mississinewa Reservoirs – a place where you feel the world has finally taken a break. The lake is located just about 20 km east of Dunkirk, and parking is almost always a children's game, as long as you don't want to collide with the anglers from the neighborhood on Saturday night. I remember a hot July when I was lying through the glittering surface with my kayaking, and suddenly an older gentleman from Ohio appeared next to me who claimed he had come here to “catch the perfect trout”. No joke, he actually had a fish he held proudly in the camera before he put it back in the water – a picture that I still have in my cell phone album.
Just half an hour north, in the heart of Portland, the imposing Jay County Courthouse, a building that has more stories to tell than most guides. The brick facade is almost exaggeratedly venerable, and the interior is equipped with marble columns that recall a 19-hundred experience from the time of the railway. I once observed a local politician there, as he desperately tried to adjust a microphone while talking about the “big economic development” of the region – a sight that almost made me laugh, because the only “development” was near a field full of corn.
Right next to the court building is the Jay County Historical Museum, a place I could personally call the “secret archive of boredom” if you don’t know the right exhibits. There are old maps that show how the area was once from prairie to arable land, and a dusty tractor model that was allegedly driven by one of the first farmers in the area. I once agreed with a group of school classes to explain to them the “sleeping” history of corn – the children were thrilled because they finally got something to suck while I tried to wipe the dry facts with an eye-catcher.
A short detour to the south leads to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a small but impressive church that has been the spiritual center of Richland Township for over a century. The stone windows are not particularly artistic, but the bell game on Sunday morning has something calming that forces even the loudest city dwellers to keep in. I took part in a fair once because I thought there was a free breakfast – and actually there were a few sandwiches that tasted better than what I usually find in my fridge.
The Wabash River, which runs just west of Dunkirk, is another highlight for those who love the water, but do not want to swim. The waterfront is ideal for a cozy walk, and fishing is almost a local sport. I once met an old angler who told me that for over 40 years he has been looking for his “big opportunity” here – he said he has never caught a fish, but the “experience” is unpaid. This is the kind of irony you experience here every day: you come to catch and go home with a story.
If you're in the area in the summer, you can't miss the Jay County Fairgrounds. The site is not particularly large, but the annual fair attracts visitors from all over the state. I remember a year when I tried out pure curiosity a rumble with “grain-on-the-stick” – the result was a sticky chewing gum-like pulp that almost brought me to laugh because I wondered if it really goes through as a snack. Parking is a bit chaotic here, especially if the weather is good, but this is part of the charm.
Last but not least, there is the Jay County Veterans Memorial, a simple monument dedicated to the veterans of the region. It is located in a small park next to the town hall of Portland and is surrounded by a quiet avenue that invites you to stay. I once met a veteran who told me he was on the 11th every year. November comes here to enjoy the silence – a moment that reminded me that not everything in life consists of loud attractions.
Whether you prefer the sparkling water of the Mississinewa Reservoir, the venerable Jay County Courthouse or the tranquil tranquility of the Veterans Memorial – the surroundings of Dunkirk have something to offer for everyone. My personal favorite places show that the region has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance, and they make the Dunkirk Attractions to a surprisingly varied experience for anyone who is willing to wander a little off the beaten paths.
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