Visit Knightsville Clay Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Knightsville, Indiana: Discover the castle ruins of Fairbanks and experience the Medieval Festival!
Knightsville Sights are more than a name for me on a map – they are the result of a story that began in 1856 when John Knight, an ambitious railwayer, founded the small village in the heart of Brazil Township, Clay County, Indiana. Honestly, the town has never sought the splendour of a metropolis; Instead, over the decades it has developed into a silent witness of the agricultural boom and bust phases of the Middle West. I like to drive over the old State Road 42, because it leads me directly to the center, where the headstone paver is still a bit tricky and the old barns look like forgotten witnesses of another time.
If you, as I am, like to wander a bit off the beaten paths, then let the little church surprise you at the end of Main Street – no joke, the simple wooden bench there has more charm than some overpriced tourist attractions. And while most visitors are looking for the “big” museum in the neighboring city, I have discovered my favorite places in the local cemetery, where the inscriptions tell stories of pioneers who really beat the country. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvesting parade, but the adjacent field with the old corn-piston is just fantastic – a perfect spot for a picnic if you happen to arrive by bus from Indianapolis and have a little time to shake the dust off the road.
I have to admit that I was never a real tourist type, but if I were you Knightsville tell, then the heart goes a bit faster – at least when I think of the old iron bridge on the edge of the village. The Knightsville Bridge is not only a piece of rusty engineering art, but also what I would personally call “the heart knock” of the place. I stood there on a lukewarm summer afternoon, the water of the Eel River glistened, and suddenly I heard a loud squeak that sounds more like an old train than a peaceful plunder. No joke, that was the sound of history that reminds you that there used to be horse cars rolling over the planks. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local Old-Timer Club gathering takes place and everyone wants to shut down their bustling companion.
A short walk on (I mean, you can do this in ten minutes if you don't stop like me all the time to take photos) Knightsville Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery – and yes, that doesn’t sound like a holiday paradise, but here lies the true “being” of the village buried. I found the old tombstone of my great-grandfather who randomly shares the same street as my favorite café in Chicago. That was a moment when I thought: “Here is history that you don’t exhibit in a museum.” The paths are well maintained, and parking is right next to the main entrance where you almost never have to see your car again because you lose yourself in the shaded rows.
Now comes my personal favorite place, Knightsville Community Park. I saw my children sitting there for the first time on a swing that was more snaring than an old ship, and that was kind of charming. The playground is small, but there is a basketball basket that has not been replaced since the 80s – a real retro vibe. If you make a picnic there in the summer, you will be surprised by the locals with self-baked peach cake, because this is tradition here. And yes, parking is a field path that turns into a chute in winter, so wear fixed boots if you don't want to stick like me in the mud.
A little further down the main road, almost unnoticed, stands the Knightsville Methodist Church. I don't quite understand the hype about church visits, but here there is a brass organ solo that makes me sneak every time, because the organist is obviously a fan of 80s synthesizers. The benches are made of old pine wood, which smells like it had survived the last three generations of family festivals. If you get a Sunday divine service program there, you get free coffee – and this is almost a national sanctuary in Indiana.
A short detour to the old Knightsville Schoolhouse (today a community center) is a must if you want to feel stuck in a time capsule. I once participated in a workshop for DIY woodwork, and the teacher – a pensioner with more stories than a bookshop – showed me how to build a bookcase from an old closet. The room is still covered with chalkboards, and the light falls through the high windows, so you feel like being in a movie of the 50s. Parking is available behind the building, but be warned: On Saturdays, the field turns into a flea market, and you have to sneak between ancient toad stands and local honey glasses.
Last but not least, and this is perhaps what the locals most appreciate the Knightsville Water Tower. I saw the solid metal structure for the first time at sunset when the light dipped the rusty plates into a warm orange. It's not a place to visit, but when you get up there and look over the village, you get the feeling that you hold the heart of Indiana in your hand. Parking is a small car park right next to the tower, and this is practical because you can make a short trip to the nearby diner that serves the best dairy shakes in the area – no joke.
So, next time you think about where to start your next ‘discovery tour’, remember Knightsville. The Knightsville Attractions may be small, but they have character, and this is something you do not find in every guide. I'm packing my stuff because I want to be there next time - and you?
The first stop I put to every newcomer is the Brazil Historical Museum, located in the historic core of Brazil, just a stone's throw from Knightsville. There old photos, tools and a few dusty maps are stacked, giving you the feeling that you would have accidentally opened a time window. I once caught myself in the corner with the old mine lamps because I thought there was a secret passage, and instead a retired teacher explains why the coal industry was the backbone here once. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small field turns into a mini-concert area for local bands.
Just a few blocks further, the imposing Clay County Courthouse, a real piece of jewelry from the era, when dishes were still signed with feathers. The dome is so striking that you almost miss it from the highway if you don't watch – a bit like a hidden Easter Egg for car drivers. I once observed a trial that had more drama than any soap opera, and the staff was so friendly that they even offered me a piece of cake from the canteen, because I complained about the marble staircase after a long walk.
A short trip south leads to Patoka Lake, the largest reservoir in the southwest of Indiana. The lake is a magnet for anglers, water sportsmen and families who plan a picnic on the shore. I rented a kayak there that had more holes than a Swiss cheese, and still spent a few quiet hours on the water, while an older couple, beside me, spoke loudly about the best fishing places. Parking is generous, but on hot summer days it can come to a small queue.
A little further north is Shades State Park, a forest paradise characterized by narrow rocky gorges and moss-covered rocks. The Trail “Ridge Trail” is famous for being suitable both for beginners and experienced hikers – a bit like a Swiss knife for nature lovers. I remember a day when I was lost in one of the narrow rock gorges and was suddenly observed by a swarm of curious owls; that was definitely a highlight that I don't forget so fast. Parking is usually free except when the weekend is hosting a local festival in the neighbouring Waveland.
Only half an hour further west is Turkey Run State Park, famous for its spectacular gorges and the famous “Sugar Creek Canyon”. The park is a magnet for climbers who want to climb the steep cliffs, and for families who enjoy the wooden bridges over the clear creek. I once tried to run the famous “Trail 2” there, just to realize that my hiking boots had more mud than I expected – a small but damp victory over nature. The visitor center has a small souvenir shop where you can buy handmade wood carvings if you need a souvenir that does not come from the bar.
For those who want to experience the real Indiana off the tourist trails, a trip to the Hoosier National Forest is a must. The forest stretches over several counties and offers countless hiking and mountain bike trails that lead through dense beech forests and gentle hills. I once discovered a remote viewpoint from which you can see from clear sky to Louisville – a sight that is almost too beautiful to be true. Parking is discreet but well signposted; a small note: parking at the main entrance can be quickly full at autumn weekends, because then the fungal collectors take off.
Next time you drive around the area, don't forget that Knightsville's surroundings have more to offer than just land roads and corn fields – from museums to historic court buildings to breathtaking natural parks there are plenty to discover. And yes, Knightsville Attractions are only a small part of the whole that makes this region a surprisingly versatile destination.
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