Bloomingdale Parke Indiana - Top Sights 

• Bloomingdale Attractions – Your Insider Guide for Penn Township, Parke County, Indiana
• Bloomingdale Sights & Attractions
• - Bloomingdale School
• - Bloomingdale Community Park
• - Bloomingdale Public Library
• - Bloomingdale United Methodist Church
• - Bloomingdale Cemetery
• - Bloomingdale Town Hall
• Other special sights in the vicinity of Bloomingdale, Indiana
• Conclusion
• - Bloomingdale Attractions

Bloomingdale Attractions – Your Insider Guide for Penn Township, Parke County, Indiana

Honestly, if you think that “Bloomingdale Sights” are just another cliché from the Middle West, then you haven’t experienced the true heart of Penn Township yet. The city was built in 1855 with the rise of the railway – a bit like a small junction that is hidden between endless corn fields and the gentle hills of Parke County. I have the feeling that the founders chose the word “Blooming” not only because of the flowering meadows, but because they hoped that something would blossom here. And yes, that worked a little.

When you arrive here, don't worry about public transport – a short trip on the State Road 47 from Terre Haute is enough, and the car is almost a must. The nearest major airport is Indianapolis International, but the actual adventure begins as soon as you leave the road and see the little town. I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but the rest here is really great, and that makes the “Bloomingdale Sights” an underestimated gem. I love strolling past the old brick buildings while the locals do their daily care – this is the real flair you don't find in travel guides.

Bloomingdale Sights & Attractions

I have to tell you about the little jewel I've got Bloomingdale School nenne – this is for me the top attraction here because it beats the heart of the city without anyone needing a tourist guide. The historic brick building dating back to 1900 is located in the middle of the centre, and when you stroll past a sunny afternoon there, you can hear the quiet squeaking of the old windows, which almost looks like a nostalgic whisper. I once visited a class meeting of my primary school, and that was a bit like a time jump back to the 80s, only that the board had chalk instead of whiteboard. Parking is usually a Klacks – a few free places right in front of the main entrance, as long as you are not there on the first Saturday of the month, then this will be a little adventure.

A short trip from the school building leads you to Bloomingdale Community Park. This is not some field path, but a real little paradise for families, with a playground that has more rust than color, but it still works for it. I once played hideout with my nephew, and we enjoyed the squeaking swing that has more character than some hipster café chair. The park is just behind the city library, so you can borrow a book after playing – this is practical because the car park (yes, there is one, a tiny one that is only intended for residents) is always full when the local baseball team has a game.

If you are looking for a bit of spiritual food, then it is Bloomingdale Public Library That's right. The building is small but charming, with a ceiling that is so high that you almost feel like you could give a concert there – I once experienced a Poetry-Slam event that got more applause than the city celebration in the summer. The staff is super friendly, and they even let you browse some old city newspapers that you wouldn't find anywhere else. I discovered an old photo of the opening of the school that immediately reminded me of my first school.

Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Bloomingdale United Methodist Church. The church ship from the early 20th The century has a simple but impressive Gothic window that throws a warm light through the benches at sunset – a sight that almost lets you forget that you are in a small town. I was there once at a concert of the local youth band, and the echo in the hall was so good that I almost thought we were in a cathedral in Europe. The church is located on the main road, so the approach and departure is a children's play, and parking is almost always free thanks to a small side road.

For those who want to make a little story, there is Bloomingdale Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery doesn't sound like a holiday plan, but here is the history of the city literally in the earth. I found the tomb of my great-grandfather, which is covered with a handwritten stone, and that reminds me of how close the families are interwoven here. The cemetery is a bit off, but a short walk through the quiet road there is almost meditative, and parking is not a problem – a small parking lot behind the municipal house is completely enough.

And because I must not forget everything: Bloomingdale Town Hall is another must if you are interested in local politics (or just looking for a good photo motif). The red brick building with the small bell tower is the centre of all community assemblies, and I took part in a discussion about the new garbage collection – a real insight into everyday life here. Parking is a bit tricky, because the road is often blocked by vans, but if you arrive early enough, you will always find a place.

So, next time you think about where you want to spend your next little break, think about the Bloomingdale Attractions – they are not just world-famous, but they have character, history and enough charm to convince you that the real Indiana consists not only of endless fields, but of people who love their city, even though it is sometimes a bit chaotic.

Other special sights in the vicinity of Bloomingdale, Indiana

The first stop of my little Odyssey was the Cox-Ford Covered Bridge, a carnival piece of wood that spans over the Little Raccoon Creek, which is almost a bit too proud to be photographed by tourists. I parked at the small, unconsolidated parking lot behind the field plug, which acts there like a relic from a different time – that is usually not a problem, except when a local tractor club just stops its annual meeting and the pitches suddenly become a battlefield. The sound of the cracking bars, when a light wind whips through the ridges, has something soothing that I rarely find in the hectic of the city.

A short trip up the County Road 1000 N leads to the legendary Rockville Bridge – yes, the longest one-time covered wood bridge system in the USA. I have heard the rumor that here every year a secret “Bridge-Lover” organized a picnic to honour the bridge; I never saw it, but the image of a lonely picnic basket on the wood, surrounded by squeaking goats, remains in my memory. Parking is a bit more organized here: a small parking lot at the end of the road, which is usually free as long as the annual Covered Bridge Festival is not in full swing. Anyone who misses the festival, but also misses the chance to see the bridge in the evening red – a sight that is almost too cheesy to be true, but somehow magical.

A few miles away from the main street, Parke County Historical Museum is located in Rockville. I have more about the blacksmith's art of 19 there. learned century when I had ever thought possible that a small place like Bloomingdale was ever an industrial center. The exhibition is not just a high-tech experience, but the old tools and dusty photos have a charm that you rarely find in modern museums. The museum has a small courtyard where you can buy an ice cream from a local provider in the summer – a sweet comfort if you want to raise your feet after a long walk over the bridges.

If you have enough of wood and history, the road continues south to Turkey Run State Park. I spent half a day there because I thought the famous canyons were just a rumor. The trails are well marked, parking is free at the main entrances, and the view of the rocky projections is actually as impressive as the brochures promise. A little hint: the visitor center closes early, so better to pack a snack before, otherwise you sit in the forest with an empty stomach and a lot of ants that steal the last piece of bread.

A short detour to the west brings one to the less known but no less charming Shades State Park. There is a small lake where I found an old, rusty rowing boat on a hot summer day – a perfect photo motif that I immediately stuck with my phone before a curious bear (or was it a big dog?) sniffed the boat and ran away. The park is less crowded than Turkey Run, and parking is almost always free as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with your family.

Back near Bloomingdale, but not in the place itself, is the Rockville Mill, a restored water mill that today serves as a venue for local craft markets. I saw an old blacksmith who worked a piece of iron live there – a sight that reminded me of the industrial roots of the region. The Mill has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually empty, unless a local flea market is underway. There you can also buy fresh corn bread bars from a farm that taste surprisingly good.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer the crumbling wooden bridges, the quiet forests of Turkey Run and Shades or the rustic treasures of the Rockville Mill – the vicinity of Bloomingdale offers more than enough reasons to turn off the engine and let the soul dangle. For those looking for authentic experiences, these places are a must, and they show why the Bloomingdale Attractions in my personal itinerary always stand up.