Visit Perrysville Vermillion Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Perrysville, Indiana: Discover the Amish region! Experience the traditional life at Amish Village and enjoy the local specialities such as the Berry-Bread-Pies.
To be honest, when I hear the word “Perrysville Sights”, I immediately think of the inconspicuous village that was founded in 1835 by a certain John Perry and has since accumulated more dust than glamour – but that's what makes the charm. I'm sitting here in the old Ford, who cared for me from I‐74 to Highland Township, telling you how the little town in the heart of Vermillion County was once a hub for the railroad before the trains just went on and left the city. The story is not packed here in shiny museums, but in the crumbling wooden beams of the old parish church and the faded inscriptions at the cemetery where my big aunt is buried – a place I visit every year because he reminds me that time is not always an enemy.
A short detour to the nearby Vermillion River is no joke: The river offers not only fishing fun, but also the perfect backdrop for a picnic if you want to escape the city life. And if you prefer to travel by car, take the County Road 300 – it takes you directly through the rural panorama I love so much, because it reminds me every time that the real Indiana is not in the commercials but in the silent fields. I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here, between the fields of Highland Township, I find my own kind of luxury – and that, my friends, is the true highlight of Perrysville sights.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Perrysville is not some hipster café, but that Community Park on the edge of the village – a piece of green that has more character than some big city jungle. There is a small playground, a baseball field and a few picnic tables that are perfect for a spontaneous lunch. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to grill. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, while a local tractor passed and shouted “Yee-haw” – a picture I don’t forget so quickly.
If you're looking for something historical, look at these Perrysville United Methodist Church on. The building dates back to 19th. Century, has a simple but elegant Gothic-Revival design and is surprisingly well preserved. I don't quite understand the hype about old churches, but here the piano in the back room has a sound that almost makes you believe you were in another time. The congregation sometimes makes concerts, and I heard a string quartet play there – that was really great, not a joke.
A short walk leads you to Perrysville Cemetery, founded in 1850. The gravestones tell stories about families who have lived here for generations. I found an old, artistically carved stone there, which is supposed to be one of the founders of the place – a real find for historical lovers. The terrain is well maintained, and the quiet ambience is a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of the park.
A little away from the center lies old school houseThe Perrysville Historical Society Museum to be operated. There are exhibitions with old school books, photos and all kinds of curiosities from the village history. I found an original schoolbook from the 1920s, which still contains the handwritten notes of a student – a small treasure that makes the past tangible. The museum is small, but the passion of volunteers is huge.
For those who like to do something active, there is Highland Township Community Center. It is not a luxurious gym, but it offers a multipurpose room where yoga classes, bingo evenings and sometimes even a small flea market take place. I took part in a “retro-game evening” where we unpacked old board games from the 80s – that was a real shot.
Another, slightly overlooked place is the Perrysville Volunteer Fire Department. Yes, that sounds like a mandatory program, but the volunteers like to open their doors to visitors interested in the history of fire trucks. I was once able to visit an old, restored extinguishing car that was still equipped with an original wooden hose – a picture that you don't see every day.
And yes, if you’re looking for a compact overview, simply tap “Perrysville Sights” into your search engine – you’ll quickly realize that the village is small, but each corner has its own charm. I have the feeling that not only is the usual tourist trails folded down here, but actually immersed in the everyday life of the locals. And that, my friend, is the real highlight.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was the Lanesville Covered Bridge, a crunching relic dating back to 1876, which spans the small but idiosyncratic Rattlesnake Creek. I took a few photos there while a tractor took a leisurely pass – this is the true Indiana feeling, not a tourist-selfie-spot, but a piece of lively history that you could almost overlook if you don't accidentally drive along the highway 500 N. Parking is a children's game: a small gravel road next to the bridge offers enough space for a car as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night with the whole family.
A short detour to Newport brought me to the Vermillion County Historical Museum, which resides in an inconspicuous brick building on the main square. There, old land machines, handwritten diaries and a few dusty photographs are stacked, which make you feel like you're going to browse through the family history of the region. I remembered the old Schürzenjäger-Jagd exhibition because I saw an original rifle from the 1890s – a real eye-catcher if you are interested in the rough life of the pioneers. The museum has a small visitor parking space behind the building, which is usually free, except when the school classes come in the summer holidays.
The Wabash River Heritage Trail is what I would call the “backbone” of the area. The path stretches along the river, from Perrysville to Covington, and offers both cyclists and walkers a welcome change from asphalt. I spent half a day there, with my old trekking bike, and enjoyed the view of the gentle waves of the river while I came past a few Angles waiting patiently for the next pike. Along the trail there are several free parking spaces, mostly on the small bridges, but on the weekend it can be filled quickly, so it's better to break up early.
Another highlight is the imposing Vermillion County Courthouse in Newport, a classicist building dating back to 1882, which with its white column front almost looks like a film set. I took a lead there with a local historian who told me that the court building was once the centre of any political discussion – and that is not excessive considering that once the decision on the future of the railway lines was made. Parking is possible directly in front of the building, but only for a short time because the road is quickly overrun by vans and school buses.
The Wabash River itself is, of course, a magnet for anyone who likes fishing or a bit of canoeing. I rented a small canoe on a lukewarm Saturday morning and explored the calm rapids – the water is clear enough to see the underwater plants, and the fishing is a real pleasure thanks to the numerous Barsch and Catfish conditions. There are several public docks, for example at the bridge of Perrysville, where parking is usually easy as long as you do not share the weekend with a group of families that have the same goal.
A bit further, but definitely worth a detour, is Shades State Park. The sandstone rocks, which protrude through the dense foliage, are almost surreal, and the trails lead through moss-covered canyons, which are otherwise only known from postcards. I spent half an hour on one of the viewpoints, while a squirrel bravely stole my sandwich half – a small but unforgettable moment. The park offers several well-signed parking spaces, but they are quickly booked on sunny Saturdays, so better be there early.
Turkey Run State Park is just an hour's drive away, famous for its narrow gorges and the famous "Hanging Bridge". I crossed the bridge while a light fog was above the water – that was almost too dramatic to be true, but that's what makes the charm. The entrance is free, and parking is generous at the main entrance, as long as you do not come to the high season, then you can easily fight for a parking lot.
At the end of my small tour, I must not forget the annual spectacle on the Vermillion County Fairgrounds. The annual market, which takes place in August, is a colourful mess of rides, local food stands and a lot of people complaining about the weather, while at the same time they squander Corn Dogs. I tried the famous “Fried Pork Tenderloin” there – no joke, that was better than anything I had eaten in the region. Parking is possible on the ground itself, but only for residents and exhibitors; Visitors have to park in the surrounding streets and run a few blocks.
Next time you go through the rural Indiana and ask yourself what you can experience in the area of Perrysville, Highland Township, Vermillion, then think about the mix of historical bridge, museum, river trail, imposing court building, the wide Wabash River, the impressive state parks and the lively quirky County Fairgrounds. These Perrysville Attractions show that the area has more to offer than just corn fields and empty land roads – it is a small kaleidoscope of history, nature and local joy of life.
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