Visit Portland Jay Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Portland, Indiana: Experience the quiet and charming small town! Visit the Riverside Park on the Wabash River or the Hayes-Lindley Memorial Gardens. Enjoy local specialities such as the "Portland Pork Tenderloin" in one of the numerous restaurants.
Honestly, if you're looking for Portland attractions, you'll have to understand that this small town in the heart of Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana, is more of a historical relic than an Instagram hotspot. Founded in 1835 by a few adventurous pioneers, the town has barely removed from its original rail since then – and that is kind of charming. I don't understand the hype about big metropolises, but here there's a piece of real Indiana heritage that you shouldn't miss when you drive down Highway 1 from Indianapolis and then hit Landstraße 13 north.
A short trip with the local bus (which is on time when you are lucky) takes you to the center where you see the old town hall, which still has the same creeping wood as in 1902. The street is lined with old barns, who tell more stories than some museums – and this without any entrance fee. If you want a bit of culture, take a look at the small but fine historical social building; I swear, the exhibitions there are better than what you find online.
And yes, Portland sights are not only what is in guides, but what you discover when passing between the corn fields – a bit of dust, a bit of history and a lot of local pride you should not overlook.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Portland, Wayne Township, is not the hip cafe around the corner – this is almost a cliché. My heart beats for Jay County Courthousethat is majestic about Main Street, as if it wanted to tell us all that since 1889 decisions have been made that determine the fate of the city. I once observed a court appointment there – no joke, I sat in the back hall and heard how a judge decided about a disputed chicken-to-Kuh problem. The building itself is made of red sandstone that almost glows in sunlight, and the clockwork in the tower still ticks reliably, although I have never found out the exact time of repair.
A short walk further leads you to Portland Public Library, one of these venerable Carnegie libraries, which you only know from movies. I borrowed a book about the history of the Ohio River cruise, because I thought that was a bit too academic – and then I crumbled in the corner with an old reading table, while a teenager spoke loudly about the latest TikTok video. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly flea market event starts in front of the building and everyone tries to get a free space.
If you feel that you have enough of dusty shelves, then look at this Portland Riverfront Park on. The Ohio River glitters there, and this is the only time I see something in Portland that doesn't consist of bricks and wood. I once made a picnic with my neighbour who claimed that he could smell the water because he was “fresh” – I offered him only a piece of cheese and asked me why he says so. The path along the river is well maintained, and you can even discover some old docks that still originate from the time when steam ships were docking here.
A little further to the city centre Portland Commercial Historic District, a collection of Victorian façades that somehow seem charming and somewhat neglected at the same time. I discovered a small antique shop that is run by an older lady who told me that she refurbished the building herself because the city hasn't done anything else. The street is lined with shops that look more like “local tradition” than “Instagram value” – this is a refreshing contrast to the exaggerated stylic places you otherwise visit.
A short detour leads you to St. Mary’s Catholic Churcha stone building from the 19th century Century that still keeps worship regularly. I was there once at a fair because I thought I could find a bit of spiritual rest, and instead I heard the organ game that was so loud that I almost had the feeling that the benches would wobble. The church is a good example of how Portland keeps its history without sinking too much into nostalgia.
And then there is what I like to call the “secret jewel”: the Portland Community Center. It is not exactly a tourist destination, but here the locals meet for basketball, yoga classes and the annual “Portland Sights” tours where a local historian tries to explain the hype around the old courthouse while telling the story of the old water tower. I took part in a course where we learned how to fix old tools from the forging – a bit dusty, but definitely an experience you don't forget.
Finally, a little hint I almost forgot: the next time you are in Portland, take your time to stroll through the streets and observe the little details – the old advertising signs, the squeaking doors of the shops and the friendly views of the people who live here. This is the true salt in the soup that no guide can ever fully grasp.
The first place I cannot miss is the Whitewater Canal State Trail, which sounds like a silent river through the fields around Portland. I have straightened there at sunrise, while the fog crawls over the water – an image that is not found in every Instagram feed. The trail is well signposted, parking at the main entrance is usually easy, only at weekends, when the local groups show up, it can become narrow.
A short trip to Richmond (about 20 km east) leads me to Gennett Records Museum. Jazz history was written here in the 1920s and 30s – Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith made their first recordings here. I don't understand the whole hype about vinyl, but the original presses that are exhibited there have something magical. The museum is located in a converted warehouse, parking is possible directly in front of the door, but after lunch you have to go around with a few tourist routes.
Just a few miles further waiting Richmond Raceway – a place where the moaning of the motors is almost as loud as the laughing of the locals who come together here every year as the “Indy 200”. I was there on a cool autumn evening, when a rainstorm briefly interrupted the race and the spectators fled into the covered stands; that was a real spectacle. Parking is free at the main entrance, but the places fill themselves faster than you can say “Start Signal”.
If you're looking for something historical, that's Wayne County Historical Museum in Richmond a must. The exhibition on the railway history of the Middle West is surprisingly well curated and I found an old railway ticket that I still keep in my wallet. The museum is located in the middle of the city centre, so you can easily find parking in the surrounding streets – just a bit of patience when you are there at noon.
A little green and tranquillity Earlham College Arbortum. I made a picnic with friends there while we discussed the strange names of the native trees (“Black walnut tree”, who invented it?). Arboretum is freely accessible, parking is at the main college building, and the whole area is barrier-free – a rare bonus in rural areas.
Last but not least a short trip to Old Wayne County Courthouse in Richmond, an impressive brick building from the 19th century Century, which today serves as a venue for local art exhibitions. I once visited a small exhibition on the history of the region; the combination of historical architecture and modern art is a real eye-catcher. Parking is possible on the small courtyard behind the building, but you have to drive a bit around the corner to find a free place.
So those looking for Portland attractions should not only explore the city itself, but also the surrounding area – from the quiet Whitewater Canal to the jazzy Gennett Records Museum to the loud Richmond Raceway there is enough to discover every trip to a small adventure.
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