Visit Fortville Hancock Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Fortville in Indiana! Enjoy a shared lunch at the Fortville Town Square or visit the historic "Old Mill Park". For athletes, the "Morris-Butler County Park" offers many opportunities for outdoor sports.
Honestly, if you ask yourself why anyone ever should talk about Fortville, let me serve you a little story: The city was founded in 1852, when the railway line from Indianapolis to Muncie set a small stop here, and since then it has developed from a tranquil railway station district to a unique mix of agricultural and industrial character. The old brick houses on Main Street cores tell about a time when every second citizen was either a forging or a dairy farm – a picture that is still somehow floating through the air today when you drive along Highway 36 on a sunny afternoon.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but Fortville has this sublime charm that almost forces you to slow down the road to admire the old town hall – a real photo motif that not everyone knows. If you arrive by car, take the I‐69, then take the exit to Fortville; the shield is hardly overlooked because it is simply too small to really impress. And yes, the bike is also an option here because the city has a few quiet side streets that are perfect for a relaxed round.
A short trip to the local café, which I personally consider to be the best homemade apple cake package, takes you directly to the heart of the community. There, the locals meet to discuss the latest construction project – a good sign that something still happens here. And while you sit there, you notice that the “Fortville Sights” consist not only of museums and monuments, but of the small, slightly forgotten moments that shape the cityscape.
So, if you're going to Fortville for the first time, let me get you the old town hall dome put to the heart – this is my personal favorite place, because it somehow beats the heart of the city, while at the same time it smells a bit like “dusty museum”. The other day I was looking for shelter at a rain shower and suddenly I was in the middle of a small exhibition about the history of the city that hardly anyone visited – no joke, that was almost a secret tip. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole city flows into the “Fortville Farmers Market”.
The market itself is another must, and yes, I don't understand the hype for bio-currency, but the fresh peaches of Aunt Marge are really great. You stroll through the stands, try homemade jam and hear the quiet squeaking of bicycles passing the old brick buildings. If you ask where you can turn off your bike: a small metal stand behind the main door of the market is usually free as long as you don’t arrive at 5 pm, it is occupied by an enthusiastic hobby cyclist who presents his “Vintage-Bike” as an artwork.
A short walk leads you to Fortville City Parkwhere I spend my Sundays watching the kids swing – that's the only time I don't wonder why I moved here. The park has a small lake that you can't use for swimming, but the ducks there are amazingly suspicious when you throw them a piece of bread. Practical: The entrance gate is open around the clock, and the car park next to the playground has enough seats when you arrive by car.
If you want to make a little more story, look at this Fortville Historical Society Museum an – a tiny building that has more dust than visitors, but a few really cool artefacts from the founding period. I found an old railway plan there that reminds me of the time when the city was still passed by trains. The museum has no fixed opening plan, but the volunteers open the door whenever you knock and politely ask; that's almost a ritual here.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Fortville Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library can be exciting if you know where to look. The library has a small café on the ground floor that serves the best black coffee in the region, and the staff knows every regular guest by name. Practical note: The library is located directly opposite the town hall, so you can do both in one train, and parking is a children's game thanks to the wide street in front of the building.
Finally, for those who google the word “Fortville Sights” and hope to find something extraordinary, there is still that old railway depot on the edge of the city. It is no longer in operation, but the walls are still covered with graffiti, which comes from local artists – a little urban charm in the middle of rural Indiana. I once experienced a spontaneous street concert when a local folk trio suddenly came out of the depot and played a few songs about life in the country. The depot has a small parking lot that is usually empty because most people think it is an abandoned junkyard – an error I like to correct.
I must confess that my first real adventure to Fortville was not the small café on Main Street, but the dusty, but somehow charming ride to Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers. There, between rebuilt 1800s houses and a huge farm, I suddenly felt like a time traveler who drank too much coffee. The parking lot is huge, so grab a bike if you don't want to sit in the car all day – parking is usually a Klack, except for the summer holidays, as families stack themselves like empty cans. I was kneeling into the old school house because I thought I could find a little rest, just to see that a choir of primary school children just tried an “Old-Time-Sing-Along”. No joke, that was louder than a rock concert, but somehow it saved the day.
A short trip to Indianapolis brought me to Eagle Creek Park, one of the largest city parks in the USA. I was there because a friend had told me about a “secret” fishing spot – and because I thought a bit of nature would alleviate my cynical view of land life. The lake is clear enough to see your own feet, and the network of hiking trails is a labyrinth that leads you either to enlightenment or an encounter with a very determined duck chick. Practical: The parking spaces are always full at the main entrance, so park on the edge and run a piece – that gives you the chance to discover the one or other hidden sculpture you would never have noticed.
I have Indianapolis Motor Speedway only once visited, and that was not because of the famous Indy 500, but because I wanted to talk to a friend of mine, a self-proclaimed “Rennsport-Guru” to see the museum. I don't quite understand the hype around the race track – the whole ghetto, the flickering of the neon lights, the constant lawn of the engines – but the museum itself is a treasure. I stood in front of an old racing car from the 60s and thought that was what I missed in my life. Practical: On weekends there is a small jam, so plan a bit extra time if you don't want to sit in the car while thinking about the history of the engine.
A few miles east lies the Mounds State Park at Anderson, a place I only knew from history books until I made a picnic with my brother. The hills built by the ancient Adena cultures offer not only a great view, but also a little mystical atmosphere that lets you believe you would wake up over an old grave. I have tried out a few trails there, which are surprisingly well marked – this is a rare consolation in Indiana, where some trails are named after “adventure” rather than “security”. And yes, parking is always a bit chaotic at the main entrance, but if you arrive early enough, you get a place right next to the visitor center where you get a coffee that is stronger than your last relationship.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Hoosier Heritage Village in Greenfield. This is basically an open-air museum that is the rural Indiana of the early 20th. It's over. I spent a day there because I thought I could experience a little ‘authentic’ life, and ended up buying a glass of jam in an old barn shop that tasted better than any supermarket variant. People there are friendly but not intrusive, and parking is almost always a Klacks, because the terrain is large enough to capture a few hundred cars. If you're lucky, you'll even get a demonstration of an old loom – that's a real eye-catcher if you're interested in craftsmanship.
I also have a trip to Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields made because I thought a bit of culture would balance my cynical itinerary. The terrain is huge, with gardens, sculptures and a small lake that looks almost like a mirror – a rare image in this area. I spent a few hours there to browse the contemporary exhibitions and had to admit that some of the installations actually exceeded my expectations. Practical: Parking is free at the main entrance, but at special exhibitions it can be filled, so take a moment to find the next parking space – this saves you the annoying escape.
Last but not least, Historic Downtown Westfield Forget that is just a short drive from Fortville. The street is lined with old brick buildings, which today house hip boutiques, cafes and a few pubs that have more character than some larger city. I spent an afternoon there to discover a local craftsmanship, and I almost stumbled over a small antique shop that had more stories to tell than my grandfather. Parking is usually uncomplicated as long as you are not there on Friday night when students from nearby university fill the streets.
So the next time you think about what you could do in the vicinity of Fortville, Vernon Township, Hancock, Indiana, remember: Fortville Sights not only are the small corners in the place itself, but the whole colorful potpourri from history, nature and culture, which is only a stone's throw away. Pack your curiosity, let the car stand when you can, and enjoy the mix of honest enthusiasm and light cynicism that this region has to offer.
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