Visit Attica Fountain Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Attica, Indiana: Experience the old Mills-Rexroat house fortress and the historic park!
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Attica is on the map, you have to swallow a bit of history: founded in 1859, the town has its name from the ancient region of Attica, because the founders probably had a little romance in the blood. Today it is cozy in the heart of Logan Township, one of the five townships that Fountain County give the backbone. I usually drive over State Road 25, because the highway here is rather a myth, and that gives me enough time to enjoy the rural idyll before arriving in the center of Attica.
I don't understand the hype about the small Main Street shops, but the old railway museum next to the town hall is really great – a piece of lively history that you don't find every weekend in a shopping center. And if you're looking for a place to let the soul go, look at the nearby Fountain County Fairgrounds; there the real midwest feeling pulsates, especially when the annual county festival starts. No joke, this is the place where you can feel the real heart of Attica without being suffocated by tourist masses.
A short detour to Logan Township itself is worthwhile if you want to photograph the old barns that still paint the image of a past era. And yes, if you googlest to “Attica Sights”, you will find that the true highlight is not in a shiny guidebook, but in the conversations you conduct with the local diners – this is the true souvenir.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Attica is not some hipest café, but the old one. Attica Train Depot. The creeping wood you hear when you enter feels like the building itself is protesting a bit because it finally gets visitors again. I discovered an old railway photo that appears to be from the 1920s – no joke, part of the Attica Attractions is that you can't just overlook because it's not overcrowded with neon light. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, because then the local Old-Timer Club gathering will take place and everyone will bring their caravan.
Directly next to the depot lies the Attica Public Library, a Carnegie building that looks like a Victorian architect designed in a dream of wood and bricks. I once found a book about the history of the Wabash River that I never finished reading because I was too busy admiring the squeaking chairs. The library is small, but the staff is cordial – they like to give you a hint where you get the best ice in the city, although this is not officially on their map.
A short walk leads you to Attica Town Hall, a rather inconspicuous brick building, but every time a bit of pride in me, when I see the old clock on the facade. I remember when I accidentally took part in a city council meeting there because I thought it was a free concert. Instead, I got a crash course in local tax laws – no joke, that was instructive and at the same time the most absurd thing ever happened to me in a small town.
If you're looking for a place where you can take a long day with some friends, then that's what you're looking for. Attica Community Center That's right. The building is modern, has a small hall that is often used for basketball games, and a space where local bands rehearse. I once experienced an improvised karaoke event where an older gentleman from the neighborhood “Sweet Caroline” sang in a voice somewhere between opera and country – that was really great when you ask me.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Fountain County Fairgrounds. Yes, it sounds like a place where you can only find a few stands and a giant wheel in August, but the fairgrounds are all year round a gathering point for tractor shows, flea markets and the annual “Best-Pie-Contest”. I once tried a pumpkin cake that was so dry that I almost felt I had to spray it with water before I can eat it – yet an experience you should not miss.
For those who want to sniff a little nature, there is the small Attica Riverfront Park on the Wabash River. The park is not huge, but it has a narrow ridge from which you can see the river while ducks enjoy their lunch loudly. I took a photo of a very brave duck chick that came to swim directly on my camera – that was the highlight of my day, honestly.
Last but not least, if you want to carry a bit of history in your pocket, look at this Attica Historical Society Museum on. The museum is small, but the exhibitions are lovingly compiled, from old school books to handmade furniture from the 19th century. I found an old diary that was written by a peasant from the 1880s – that gave me an insight into why people here are so proud of their roots, and why they celebrate the same village festival every year that somehow never comes out of fashion.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Mississinewa Reservoir, a glittering spot in the Indiana Middle Sea, hidden only half an hour south of Attica. I rented an old kayak there – the thing was so old that I almost thought it was a relic from the prohibition – and paddled over the calm water while the sun was reflected in the gentle waves. Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole “Lake-Life” clique from Indianapolis appears and the places occupied as if there were no more morning.
A short detour to the north leads to Wabash River State Park. There are more trees here than I can count throughout my life, and a network of hiking trails that even satisfy the most ambitious trekkers. I remember a morning when I tried the trail to the Hogback Ridge; a squirrel almost jumped my head because it seems I was a very big nut supplier. The park is well signposted, and the visitor center has enough brochures to fill a small book – practically if you don't want to rely on Google.
Go on Attica Covered Bridge, one of the few remaining wooden bridges in Indiana that still work. I heard the rumor that the whole thing is a bit more touristy, but honestly, the barracks under the feet have something romantic that you do not find in any supermarket parking place. The place is ideal for a quick photo, and parking is right next to the river, where you almost feel the water would whisper to that you should not stay here too long.
A short jump over the street brings me to Covington, where this Fountain County Courthouse with its imposing dome over the city. I spent a few minutes admiring the artistic stoneworks, while an older gentleman in a suit, clearly from the 70s, told me that the building was “a real piece of history” – a set I've heard countless times, but this time he sounded more authentic because I had just bought an ice from the nearby stand and the sun fell on the marble rock.
Only a few blocks further Fountain County Historical Society Museum. The museum is not just a mega-cultural experience, but the collection of old land machines, photos of horse carriages and an original telegrapher switch have catapulted me a little into the past. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1880s – a real find that made me feel I had discovered a small treasure while other visitors were looking for the souvenir shop.
If you have enough of dusty halls, the Wabash River Heritage Trail along the river, a well maintained bike path that is perfect for a relaxed ride. I unpacked my old mountain bike and straightened a few kilometers while I stumbled over the “real Indiana” posters that tell more about local history than you find in every guide. The trail is mostly flat, so also for people who don't want to climb Mount Everest – and parking at the starting point is almost always free as long as you don't get to lunchtime when the local joggers turn their rounds.
To finish my little tour through the surroundings of Attica I still need the charming Main Street from Covington mention. Here are some old diners, an antique shop that has more dust than merchandise, and a small book store where I randomly found a book about the history of Wabash River Bridges – a real lucky handle because I was just thinking about the Attica Covered Bridge. The road is wide enough to park a few cars, but not so crowded that you feel like being in a big city.
Whether you’re looking for nature, history or a small piece of local idyll – Attica’s environment offers more than enough reasons to turn off the engine and simply stay. From the silent waters of the Mississinewa Reservoirs to the crumbling wooden beams of the Attica Covered Bridge, from the wide paths of the Wabash River Heritage Trail to the dusty shelves of the Fountain County Historical Society Museum – here everyone finds something that appeals to him, even if you don't understand the hype around some attractions. And that's exactly what makes Attica Attractions to a worthwhile destination for those who want to experience the real Indiana.
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