Visit Staunton Clay Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Staunton, Indiana: Nature and history united! Experience the Big Bone Lick State Park with prehistoric bone finds or visit the Wickliffe Mounds State Park with archaeological tombs.
Honestly, when I think of Staunton, I first jump the picture of a small but stubborn community from the 19th century. Century in mind – founded in 1850, named after politician Benjamin Staunton, and since then firmly rooted in the heart of Posey Township, Clay County. The railway, which once formed the backbone of the economy, has hardly any trains, but the old warehouse on the track bed still remembers the times when the grain rolled from the surrounding fields into the vast world. I drove the first time by car over State Road 46, because I had no bump on the endless road traffic, and had to admit: the ride was surprisingly pleasant, because the landscape here is rather flat and friendly – no drama, just a bit of dust and a few old trees stretching over the fields.
Now to the actual Staunton sights: the historic town hall, which is almost a piece of lively history with its cracking wooden door, and the small but fine café on Main Street, which serves the best apple cake wide and wide – no joke, that is really a highlight. When you arrive by bus from Indianapolis, just get off at the “Clay County” stop and run the last few minutes, which is convenient and saves parking. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest festival parade, but the colorful driving next to the old station is just fantastic and gives you the feeling of being part of a real community.
I have to admit that I was never a big fan of exaggerated guides – they always talk about “magic sunsets” and “unforgetable experiences” while I'm trying to get the parking space at the Staunton Town Hall to find. But that's exactly what makes the charm of Staunton: here there are no crowded tourist crowds, just a few honest locals who distribute their favorite places with an eye-catcher. The old brick box, in which the town hall is housed, was built in 1915 and still looks as if it had just decided the 20th. ignoring the century. I once made a picnic there, because the grass around the street is still a bit wilder than in the newer suburbs – a perfect spot to watch the city life, while the children shout loudly from the nearby playground.
If you're at the town hall, take a look at the Staunton Water Tower. This rusty colossus is not only a practical piece of infrastructure, but also the unofficial landmark of the city. I saw him for the first time at sunset and thought that would be a bit too cheesy until I realized that the light that falls on it almost seems like a silent promise that there is something constant. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the annual “Bier-und-Brot-Festival” (yes, that’s really) blocks the road.
A short walk further leads you to St. Mary's Catholic Church. The 19th Gothic building The century is not only a point of attraction for believers, but also for those who love architecture that is not a 3‐D printer. I remember listening to the organ play at once during a fair – a sound that was so full and warm that I almost forgot that I was here because of the impressive stained glass windows. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about “historical churches”, but this is really a piece of living story that you shouldn't overlook.
A little further, behind the church, lies the Staunton Community Park. There is more than one playground here: a small lake, a basketball court and a barbecue area, which is always occupied by families and older gentlemen on hot summer days, who exchange their best fishing stories. I once organized a spontaneous picnic with a few neighbors, because the weather suddenly turned around and we wanted to make the best of it. The result? A bunch of sandwiches, a loud laughter and the soothing whistle of the water – this is for me the true “Staunton feeling”.
For those who prefer to stay inside, the Staunton Public Library an underestimated jewel. The library is small, but it has a surprisingly extensive range of local history books and magazines. I once found an old photo album that shows the city in 1900 – a look that reminded me of how much the city has changed, and at the same time how little it really has changed. The staff is friendly, and the Wi-Fi works – a small consolation for digital nomads who still want to inhale a piece of history.
Another place I like to mention is that Staunton Cemetery. Sounds morbid, but the old tombstones tell stories you can't find in any guide. I once found an old veteran whose inscription speaks of a long but quiet life. This is for me a quiet place of reflection, especially if you are driven through the city after a long day.
If you ask yourself what else you can see in Staunton, just look at the small shops on Main Street. The Old Mill Café (yes, that’s really the name) serves the best coffee I’ve ever drank – strong enough to carry you through the next round of “Staunton Sights”. And the best thing: The owner knows every customer by name and likes to tell you why the old mill wheel that stands in the background has never worked because it has never been properly maintained.
Finally, a little hint I always forget to mention: The city is small enough that you can reach almost everything on foot, but that also means that you sometimes stand in the rain, because the weather is unpredictable here. So, take an umbrella, and enjoy the mix of rustic charm and slightly cynical hospitality that has dazzling to offer. Who knows, maybe you'll be as addicted to the little, unsightly moments I am.
The first stop I recommend for every visitor is the sparkling Patoka-See-Ufer, which extends only half an hour south of Staunton. There you can not only spend a few hours fishing – I once caught a pike that was almost as big as my first car – but also use the small, almost overlooked picnic places that hardly anyone knows. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole city shows up with its families there.
A short detour to Corydon, the old capital of Indiana, feels like a time jump in the 1800s, only that today visitors are more likely to make selfies with the historical cannons than to train letters. The Corydon Battlefield is not the biggest battlefield, but the atmosphere is surprisingly tangible – I stood there while an older master told me that his great-grandfather fought there, and suddenly I heard the thundering of the cannons in my head. The small parking lot behind the visitor centre is somewhat narrow, but this is part of the charm, considering that you can comb through almost the entire Indiana history coursebook in a day.
The Lincoln State Park, named after the president who once hacked wood as a young man, is just one bit further. The park is a true paradise for hikers, and I have crossed the “Lincoln Trail” several times – every time I discover a new piece of history hidden in the wooden signs. The path is well marked, parking is free, and the few visitors I met there were mostly families who wanted to entertain their children with the stories of Honest Abe. I have to admit that I don't understand the hype about the “Lincoln Cave” but the small visitor center with the original documents is really fascinating.
A little further east stretches the Hoosier National Forest, a huge green piece that spans several counties. I tried the “Trail of the Loon” there – a trail that passes through dense forests, small streams and ancient oaks. The best of it? You can make a campfire almost everywhere as long as you observe the local rules, and parking is easy on most trailheads. Once, when I just wanted to take a photo of a particularly carious tree, a curious raccoon came by and grabbed my muesli bars – a small reminder that nature still has the upper hand here.
The Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge is a must for birdwatchers and nature lovers. The area is a true paradise for migratory birds, and I have seen more species there than I could find in my entire life in a bird book. Access is free, the visitor center offers informative maps, and parking is well signposted on the main roads. Once, while waiting patiently for a rare pebbly, an older couple came by, telling me that they return here every year in autumn – that made me feel like being part of a small but dedicated community.
If you have a little more time, it is worth a trip to Paoli, where the famous “Cave of the Winds” lies. The cave is not just a secret tip, but the guided tours are well organized and the light play in the stalactites is impressive. Parking is sufficient at the entrance, and the number of visitors is still manageable even in high season. I remember as a child stumbled through the dark corridors with a flashlight and thought I was a discoverer – today the feeling is a little less romantic, but still a cool down.
Whether you are a passionate historian, a natural friend or just someone who is looking for a bit of a change from everyday life – the surroundings of Staunton offer more than enough reasons to scare the motor and get rid of it. From the quiet shores of Lake Patoka to the historic paths of Corydon to the forest paths of the Hoosier National Forest, there is something to discover for everyone. And if you pack all this together in a trip, you have not only a few great memories, but also a good feeling for why the Staunton Attractions in the region.
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