Visit Idaville White Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Idaville, Indiana: Discover the natural paradises of the Hoosier National Forest! Recreation and adventure in a beautiful environment.
Honestly, if I take the word “Idaville Sights” in my mouth, most probably think of a sleepy village consisting only of corn fields and a single Main Street – and that’s not quite wrong, but I promise you, there’s more than just dust here. Idaville, founded in the middle of the 19. Century, got its name from the daughter of an early railway builder, and the small piece Indiana is embedded in the Lincoln Township of White County. The railway line, which at the time formed the backbone of the municipality, is now hardly more than a silent witness of past eruption, but if you drive by car over the old state road 119, you feel the easy vibrating of history among the wheels.
I don't quite understand the hype about the supposedly “authentic” land parties, but the weekly meeting in the old community house – a crunchy 1889 gemeter, which is still operated by the descendants of the founders – is a real highlight if you want to experience the real, unsightly rural life. And yes, the small cemetery on the edge, where the tombs are arranged in circular patterns, looks almost like an art project that someone started out of boredom.
When you arrive by train, just get off to Lafayette and take the bus to Rochester, from there a short jump to Idaville; This is almost as romantic as a road trip, only without the risk of you being lost. And don't forget that the weather here in the summer is surprisingly mild – perfect to explore the Idaville sights in all tranquility, while you're wondering why you haven't been here before.
I have to admit that what I do Idaville most dear, not the whole gear from shops, but the inconspicuous Idaville Community Park – a piece of green that has more character than some hip city park in the urban jungle. There is an old, crunchy playground that has hardly been renovated since the 80s, and a baseball field that is played every weekend by a group of fathers who believe they would train the next Major League stars. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the annual barbecue and music carving festival will begin.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Idaville United Methodist Church. The building is a real relic from the 1900s, with a stone facade that could tell more stories than a whole book. I took part in a Sunday divine service there – no joke, the church still sings with an inbrunst, which you only hear in the mountains. If you're wondering why I came here, although I prefer to visit bars, it's because the acoustics in the choir are almost spiritual, and that's a rare good in a city that has hardly more than a few fast food chains to offer.
Right next to the church Idaville Grain Elevator, a massive silo set projecting beyond the fields like a silent guard. I don't quite understand the hype about such industrial monsters, but this is somehow romantic: a piece of agricultural inheritance, which is still functional and occasionally surrounded by a tractor, while the villagers do their weekly supplies. The ascent to the top floor is not intended for anyone – the railing is rusty, and the sign “Entering on your own danger” almost looks like an open letter of invitation.
A few blocks further Idaville Cemeterya cemetery that reveals more about the history of the place than any museum. I once discovered an old gravestone there, which bore the name “E. J. McAllister”, a founder of the city who allegedly plucked the first cereal field in the area. The terrain is surprisingly well maintained, and the old oaks standing there donate pleasant shade in the summer – perfect if you are looking for a long walk a bit of rest.
If you ask where you get a quick snack in Idaville, check out the little diner on the corner of Main and County Road 22. I like to call it the “Idaville Diner” because it has no official name, but the milk shakes there are really great. I ordered a milkshake there that was so thick that I needed almost one spoon to drink it – no joke, that was almost a workout for the hand.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Idaville Historical Marker at the old school building, which today serves as a municipal center. The stone tells in brief about the foundation of the city in 1852 and about the first teachers who laid the foundations for today's Idaville with chalk and hard work. I discovered a few old class photos hanging on the wall there – a nostalgic look back that makes me think a bit every time I walk past it.
For those who wonder what else to see in Idaville, there is Idaville Fire Station. The building is small, but the firefighters there have a heart of gold and a smile that welcomes every visitor. I once got an ice cream there on a hot summer day because the guys just came back from a stake – a small act of kindness that shows that community here means more than just a word.
And yes, if you googlest to “Idaville Sights” you will quickly realize that the list is short, but every single target has its own charm. I could talk more about the annual road festivals or the small shops, but this would only slow down the river here. So, if you want to drive through Indiana the next time and sniff a bit of real, unfailed little town feeling, just look past Idaville – you won't be disappointed, promised.
The first stop I put to every newbie is the legendary Indiana Beach on the banks of Lake Shafer – a place where the word “summer” almost becomes a duty. I once tried to override the wooden rollercoaster “The Rocket” there, just to find that the adrenaline is rising faster than my mood when I end up in the water park. Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the families with strollers and the “I-will-only-one-beer-and-one-pallets-for-the-children” groups occupy the entire field.
A short detour to the north leads you to Tipecanoe River State Parkwhere the noise of the river is almost louder than the constant sum of the smartphones. I rented a kayak there and I paddled a piece upstream until suddenly I was overtaken by a deer – a short but impressive moment that reminded me that nature has not yet been overrun by civilization. The trails are well marked, and the campfire area is ideal if you want to roast a bit of marshmallow after a long day.
If you're looking for something historical, that's White County Historical Society Museum in Monticello a must. The collection is a colorful mix of old agricultural machinery, photos from the 1900s and a curious collection of advertising signs that let you ask why you have ever bought a record player. I have been there for hours between the exhibits, because I had the feeling of discovering a piece of forgotten Indiana story that nobody else dares to tell.
A short jump over the Monticello road leads you to the two “Twin Lakes” – Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman. The two lakes are famous for their water sports scene, and I once found myself on a small inflatable boat driven by a friendly angler with a huge pike. The water is clear enough to see the underwater world, and the surrounding picnic places provide enough shade to enjoy a cool beer without the sun burning you right away.
A little further east lies the charming town Winamacwith its Riverwalk and the historic main road. I sat there on a sunny afternoon in the small café on the corner, while I had the view over the river shimmering and listening to the sounds of the city – a mix of squeaking bicycle tires and the occasional call of an ice seller. The Riverwalk is perfect for a relaxing walk, and the small boutiques offer handmade souvenirs that you won't find anywhere else.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Miller’s Farm Market on the edge of Idaville. In the late summer I tried fresh strawberries and homemade jams that were so good that I almost forgot that I had actually been looking for a quick snack. The market is seasonal, but if you are lucky to visit it, you will not only get delicious products, but also a warm smile from the farmers who proudly present their harvest.
Whether you're looking for thrills, history, nature or just for a good piece of fruit – Idaville's environment has more to offer than you'd suspect at first sight. These Idaville Attractions show that the small Indiana town provides a surprisingly diverse range of experiences that enthuse every modern traveler, even if he sometimes remains a bit cynical.
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