Visit Union City Randolph Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small city of Union City in Indiana and enjoy the "Corn Capital of the World" day (Erntefest) in August. A must: The historic marketplace and the giant wheel on the County Fairgrounds!
To be honest, when I hear the word “Union City Sights”, I am thinking first of all of the inconspicuous pavement that the city has been wearing since the 1850s – a piece of history that spans between Indiana and Ohio borders and has more charm than some big city hotspot. Union City was founded in 1852 when the railway lines from the north and south came together; that explains why the old railway station building still looks like a defensive relic from another era. I don't understand the hype around the old warehouse, but the small café next to the town hall I visit every morning is really great – here there is the best coffee you can find in a place that has more field than asphalt. When you arrive by car, take the US route 30 that leads you directly to the heart of Wayne Township; The land roads here are wide enough to push the truck, but narrow enough to feel you're going through a painting. And yes, the Randolph County Court is another example of how sober brick Gothic suddenly becomes a favorite spot for selfies when you find the right angle. I feel that people here have more time for a conversation than for a selfie marathon – that makes the whole “Union City Sights” thing somehow more authentic for me.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Union City is not the hip café on the corner – that's almost a cliché. My absolute top recommendation is that Union City Historical Museum, a tiny building that houses more stories than one would find in most city museums throughout the day. I discovered an old photo of a horse car that reminded me that this city was once a real hub for rail transport. The museum is practically in the heart of the city, so you can park your car almost everywhere; on weekends, however, parking becomes a bit tricky, because the whole city then flows to the flea market.
Directly next to the museum, almost unnoticed, the Union City Public Library into the old brick building. I don't quite understand the hype about huge, modern libraries, but here you have the feeling that every book has a little secret. I once borrowed an old Almanach from the 1920s, and when I browsed, the barking of the pages has almost catapulted me back into the past. If you are looking for a quiet place to check your e-mails, this is the perfect oasis – and the WLAN even works without the usual “please wait, connection is made...”.
A short walk further leads you to Union City Skatepark. I admit I'm not a professional skater, but the terrain is so designed that even a beginner like me can try some cool tricks without visiting the hospital. The ramps are made of sturdy concrete, and the whole is supervised by a few local youths who like to show you where the best spots are. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you are not there on Friday night – then the field turns into an improvised concert venue.
If you're looking for a little fresh air, go to Union City Park. The park is not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it has a small lake, a few old benches and a playground that radiates more nostalgia than a retro arcade game. I once made a picnic with friends while an older couple played chess – that was almost a mini movie. Access is barrier-free, and parking is free on the outskirts of the park as long as you do not attend the weekend with the whole family circus.
Another highlight I don't want to hide is the weekly City Farmers Market. Every Saturday the main road turns into a colorful collection of fresh vegetables, homemade cakes and handmade soaps. I tried the best corn bread of my life there – no joke, that was better than anything I've ever found in the supermarkets of the area. The market is easy to reach because it lies directly next to the town hall; there are always a few free places to unload, but if you're too late, you'll have to slip through between the stands.
A little off but definitely worth a detour, this is Union City Railroad. The old railway station building is today a small museum that documents the history of railways in the region. I was there on a rainy afternoon and deepened into the old schedules – it is amazing how fast times have changed. The depot has its own parking lot, which is usually empty because most visitors visit the museum only briefly.
Finally, I must not forget the Union City Community Center not only a gym, but also a swimming pool and a venue for local theatre performances. I took part in a yoga course there, and that was a real lucky handle – the trainers are friendly, and the water in the pool is always pleasantly tempered. The center is located on the outskirts of the city, so there are enough parking spaces there, and you can easily make a short trip to the nearby café after your training.
If you now think it's too much, then don't let it deter you – Union City has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. And if you're wondering where you can plan all this, just look for “Union City Sights” on the net, you'll get a quick overview before you fall into the adventure.
The first stop I put to every newman is the imposing court building in Winchester – a stone relic from 1852, which is still like a stiff colonel in the center of the city. I once tried to shoot a photo there, and was corrected by a bored tourist guide, because I could not capture the “historical aura” correctly; that was probably the only time I felt corrected when I was photographing. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on the first Saturday of the month, then the small parking lot turns into a battlefield of cars and strollers.
Only a few blocks further Randolph County Historical Museumthat sprays more dust than shine – but that's what makes the charm. I found an old diary from the 1880s written by a peasant craftsman who complained about the “infinite boredom” of the winter festival. Those who are looking for an honest, not excessively romanticized story should definitely look in here; the staff is friendly but not exaggerated enthusiastic, which I feel as refreshing.
A short detour to the east leads to Whitewater Memorial State Parkwhere the river is actually so clear that you can observe the fish while swimming – a rare luxury in Indiana. I spent a weekend fishing there, and was pointed out by an older angler that the “right” fishing gear is an old, rusty piece that he used since the 70s. The park offers numerous hiking trails that are not overrun as long as you do not come to the high season in July; then the whole green becomes a crowd that makes more selfies than nature.
Directly next to the park, the Brookville Lake, a huge reservoir, which in summer becomes a bathing lake and in winter becomes an ice fishing. I once rented a kayak and spent almost all the time stumbled over the countless signs that explain why you can't drive too fast – a real test for patience and orientation. The docks are well signposted, and parking is usually easy, except for the long weekends when the locals unpack their boats and turn the shore into an improvised festival.
A bit further south, in Madison, this is Hoosier Heritage Village, an open-air museum that the rural Indiana of the 19. It's over. I spent a day inspecting old tools and talking to a descendant of the original founder who told me that the “real” life was much harder at that time because there was no Wi-Fi. The visitor numbers are moderate, so you can explore the historic buildings in peace; parking is directly at the entrance, and a small entrance fee (which I do not call here) is the only thing that slows the fun a little.
At the end a detour to Richmond, about 30 miles north, where the Earlham College-Campus with its impressive architecture and the small but fine art museum offers a surprisingly cultivated contrast to the rural environment. I took part in an open lecture there and was amazed at how lively the discussions about local history were – a real proof that education is not only in big cities. The campus area is freely accessible, and parking is a children's game thanks to several free car parks.
So if you're wondering what Union City is really doing, then you're aware that the real experience is not in the city centre, but in the surrounding treasures that I outlined here. Each of these places offers its own, unmistakable view of the Indiana, which is otherwise easily overlooked – and all this with a portion of local irony that really spices the whole.
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