Hayden Sights attract me every time I turn from the dusty Highway 13 into the tranquil heart of Spencer Township, Jennings County. Honestly, the city was founded in 1855 when the railway finally crossed the area – a bit like an old friend who suddenly appears when you least expect it. The name comes from a railway engineer I've never met personally, but its heritage is still felt in the squeaking tracks that are barely used today. I usually drive by car because the next train stops in Columbus and the whole will otherwise become an expedition à la “Survivor: Indiana”. If you like to sneak a bit of history, look at the old post office – a red brick building that has more stories to tell than some Instagram influencers. Directly next to this is the small cemetery square, where the tombs of the founders are in regular rows; I don’t quite understand the hype for “spoken” tours, but the quiet ambience is really great for reflection. A short detour to the nearby Jennings County Courthouse makes you feel like the 19th. The century is still alive, and this is only a stone's throw from the main road. And yes, if you ask yourself how to come here: a short stop at Interstate 65, then a few minutes on the road, and you are in the middle of the rural charm that surprises me every time – despite all prejudices towards small towns.
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The first stop I never miss is that Musick Memorial Museum of Art in Vernon – a small but surprisingly well-stocked art museum that has more to offer than most visitors expect. I remember the day I accidentally discovered an exhibition of local impressionists, while I was just looking for a cool place for the lunch break. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field in front of the museum becomes a mini-storey course.
A short trip to North Vernon leads to Jennings County Historical Museum. There are old agricultural machines, photos from the founding period and a strangely charming diorama of a 1900-year-old inn kitchen. I spent almost the whole afternoon there, because I wanted to go into the history of the region – and because the café serves the best apple cake in the area next door. It is practical that the museum is located directly on the main road, so you can park and park without much effort.
If you have enough of dusty halls, the path continues to Muscatuck National Wildlife Refuge. The nature reserve is just a half hour drive from Hayden and offers a network of hiking and observation trails that span through wetlands and forest sections. I once saw a rare black-neck diver there while I tried not to confuse my camera – a real lucky handle. The visitor centre has a small information center where you get maps; parking is generous there, but at weekends it can be filled because the birdwatching community is not to brake.
A little further south, almost on the border to Madison County, Mounds State Park. The park is famous for its prehistoric hills and the well-preserved Indian Museum, which I personally consider to be underestimated – the exhibitions are small, but the atmosphere is authentic. I spent a few hours on the hiking trail, while a group of families organized a picnic on the meadow. The entrance is free, parking is sufficient at the main parking lot, but if you want to visit the visitor center you should be there early because the places are quickly occupied.
For those who love the rural festivities, a visit to the Jennings County Fairgrounds in summer a must. The annual County Fair is a colourful mess of cattle shows, rides and local food stands that offer more than just popcorn – taste It is the homemade maize bread. I once saw an old tractor from the 1950s, which was still in use, and that reminded me how much the region cultivates its traditions. Parking is available in abundance, but on the main events the terrain fills up quickly, i.e. it is better to come early.
A short detour to Jennings County Speedway provides the necessary adrenaline for all who like speed. The small but fine dirt track attracts a colourful audience every week, rejoicing the loud moaning of the engines and the distinctive aroma of gasoline and grilled goods. I was there once when a local driver won the race last second – the audience cheered, and I couldn't help but even turn a few rounds on the adjacent exercise site. Parking is right next to the track, but on race nights it can be tight.
Last but not least, Big Walnut Creek Don't forget, which sounds through the countryside and is a popular fishing spot for locals and visitors. I caught some trout there on a hot July day, while I thought about the life in Hayden – the water was cool, the air fresh, and the brook's noise was the only sound that didn't come from a tractor. There are several small docks that are free, but at weekends it can be full because the fishing community is very active here.
Whether art, history, nature or a bit of speed – Hayden's surroundings offer a colourful mix that surprises every traveler. Those who want to experience the authentic Indiana should not only be limited to the city itself, but the diverse Hayden Attractions in the area.
I have to admit right at the beginning that I was never a big fan of “Must-see lists” – but if I were my buddy of Hayden where he has to go, then I always start with the Hayden Historical Museum because this is the only museum that ever gave me the feeling that I would smell like treasure in a dusty closet instead of suffocating in a dusty exhibition. The old school building, which was built in 1915, has more charm than some hip pop-up space in the city, and the exhibitions – from old land machines to photos from the first railroad, which shredded around here – are honestly better than what one finds in the guides. Parking is usually easy, except on the first Saturday in July, when the annual “Hayden Summerfest” makes parking a small adventure.
Directly next to the museum, the St. Joseph Catholic Church along Main Street, a brick building from 1889, which I admire repeatedly, because despite its size it never tries to sell itself as a cathedral. The stained glass windows are not exactly Instagram value, but the light that falls through the colorful panes when the sun is deep in autumn is a real eye-catcher – no joke. I once experienced a small organ concert there, which almost made me forget that I was just looking for a coffee.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real local, go to Hayden Community Park. The park is not huge, but it has everything a small place needs: a baseball field, a playground, a few benches that can be used to observe people, and a small lake where ducks rotate their rounds. I made a picnic there in the summer, while a few teenagers sang loudly “Old Town Road” – that was somehow the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in a park. The parking lot is right at the entrance, so no stress, except when the local high school team has a game, then the field becomes the parking lot and you have to run a few blocks on.
A short walk down Main Street leads you to Hayden Public Library. Yeah, that's really a library and not just a café with books. The shelves are full of local history books you can't find anywhere else, and the staff is so friendly that they even lend you some old city plans from the 1920s when you ask. I once found a book about the history of the railway in Spencer County, which has tied me for hours – a real find for anyone who wants to know more about the “Hayden Sights” without exploring the internet.
A bit away from the center lies Hayden Old Railroad Depot. The building is today a small shop selling antiques and local craftsmanship, but the roof and the old signature “Hayden – 1905” remind you that once trains stopped to transport coal and people. I found an old metal chair there that was supposed to come from 1910 – I didn't buy it because I don't have enough space in my apartment, but the conversation with the owner was a highlight: He told me that the depot used to be a meeting place for secret appointments, because it was always a little quieter than Main Street.
I have to finish Hayden Summerfest mentioning that takes place every year in July. This is not exactly a place, but an event that turns the city into a colorful mess. There are local bands, a hustle and enough food stalls that you'll ask why you're still cooking at home. I once ate a piece of apple cake that was so good that I almost forgot that I was looking for a quick snack. The parking lot at the ground floor is a nightmare if you don't arrive early enough, but this is part of the adventure, right?
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