Honestly, if you ask yourself why I want to talk about Seymour at all, this is because of its history: founded in 1837, the city has its name from a former governor, and since then it has mourned from a small railway hub to a unique town in the heart of Jackson Township, Jackson County. I have the feeling that the old railroad rails, which today are hardly more than rusty relics in the green, betray more about the character of the area than any tourist poster.
I usually drive over the US‐31, because this is the fastest way to get here, and then I turn off the GPS – that gives me the feeling of getting really on instead of just passing through. As soon as I am in the centre, I immediately feel the slightly cynical flair: the shops act as if they deliberately decided not to follow the mainstream, and I find it refreshing.
A short detour to the old town hall makes me think about the time spent here; the bricks tell stories that nobody mentions in a guide. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the usual Seymour sights, but that's exactly what makes the charm – there's more to discover when you're ready to walk a bit off the beaten paths.
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The first stop I always recommend is that Muscatuck National Wildlife Refugea piece of untouched wilderness only about ten miles north of Seymour. I once tried to take a picture of a shy beaver, just to realize that the animal thought me as an annoying visitor and promptly jumped into the river – not a joke, that was a real moment in which I did not only observe nature, but actually provoked it. Parking is almost always a Klack at the visitor center, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and picnic baskets. The hiking trail around the lake is well signposted, and if you are lucky, you can see the rare Sandhill crows that turn their rounds here.
A short detour to the south leads to Hoosier National Forest, more precisely to the popular trailhead at Oolitic. I have to admit, I don’t understand the hype about “forest walks” completely, but the mix of ancient oaks and the famous Indiana limestone rocks is really great. Last year I made a small picnic there, while a tractor with a huge chain saw motor passed – that was the loudest “nature noise” I have ever experienced. The parking lot is an open field that is quickly filled in the summer, so be there early if you don't want to stand in the traffic jam of campers.
If you have enough of trees, that is Brown County State Park the next station – a bit further, but the ride is worth it because the terrain is almost going to the climbing paradise. I once tried to force the famous “Beech Creek Trail” there, just to find after an hour that my walking shoes had more dirt than soles. The park offers numerous picnic places, and parking is free at most entrances, as long as you do not choose the weekend in the high season, then you can bring a little patience.
A little further east lies Patoka Lake, an artificial lake that turns out to be a surprisingly quiet retreat when avoiding crowds on the beach. I remember a sunny afternoon when I discussed the best baits with an old angler from Ohio – he insisted that corn is the secret while I swore that a little wriggle worm is the true gold. The boat dock parking is small, but usually sufficient, as long as you do not get to high season; then you may have to walk a few meters further to find a free space.
A short detour to the west brings you to Lincoln State Parknamed after the famous president who once spent a few days here as a land surveyor. I discovered a small museum there that tells more about Lincoln's early years than you would expect – a nice one, though some dusty place, which offers an interesting view behind the scenes of history. The parking lot is directly at the main entrance, and parking is practically always free, unless a local festival suddenly attracts hundreds of visitors.
Last but not least a trip to the charming town Ooliticfamous for its limestone quarries. I visited the Oolitic Limestone Museum where you can actually see how rohem stone creates an artful building – a bit like a live tutorial for everyone who thought stoneworking was just something for archaeologists. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building; on working days it is almost empty, but on weekends it can come to a small jam because the number of visitors suddenly rises when a local market takes place.
Whether you want to hike a nature lover, a history fan or just a bit off the beaten paths – the surroundings of Seymour offers a colorful mix of wilderness, history and small, surprising highlights. If you ask yourself what you can experience in the area, I recommend that you Seymour sights to explore and question your own expectations a little.
So, next time you go to Indiana, let's go first historical railway station of Seymour stop – this is my personal favorite place because it smells a bit like “lost time” but without the kitschige museum-like, which is otherwise found everywhere. The old wooden frame is still proud of Main Street, and I swear the whistle of the steam locomotive, which you sometimes hear from an old loudspeaker system, makes me think of my youth every time I thought I could become a real railroader sometime. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't get out of town on Saturday night with all the barbecue fans – then the field behind the depot becomes a battlefield.
Directly next to the station, the Main road of Seymour through the heart of the city, and here you will find what I like to call the “unfake Seymour Sighting Experience”. The old brick buildings, which now house hip cafés and second-hand shops, have more character than some 5 star hotel complex. I once drank a cappuccino, while an older gentleman told me about the “good old times” – no joke, the conversation lasted almost an hour, because he simply couldn’t stop over the annual “symour parade” that I personally never quite understand, but the mood is really great.
A short walk further Jackson County Historical Society Museum. The building is the old courthouse, and there are more old documents and artefacts than I have ever seen in a museum – from handwritten maps to an original 19-year-old tractor that still looks a bit rusty but somehow proud. I rediscovered my grandmother, whose family name appears in the records, and that gave me a little feeling that history is not only dusty books, but real people. Parking is a bit tight because the museum is behind a small parking lot, but a few minutes walk are worth it.
If you're looking for something green, then the City Park Your goal. The lake there isn't huge, but it reflects the sun so beautiful that I almost forgot that I just came to the picnic. There is a small hiking trail, a few benches and a war memorial that I look over again and again until a jogger points to it. I once made a campfire there – yes, that is allowed as long as you fill out the local approval form, which I forgot of course, and then the Parkwart kindly pointed out that next time a form is needed. Nevertheless, the whole has a certain charm, and parking is almost always free, except when the annual “Seymour Summer Fest” takes place, then the field becomes a parking-mekka.
For families (or for you, if you just need a little cooling) this is Seymour Aquatic Center a real secret tip. The swimming pool is not huge, but the water is always clear, and the staff is friendly even if a bit of annoyed when you come too late to the swimming course. I once observed my sister during diving and had to laugh because she swallowed more air than a fish in the river. Parking is right next to the center, and you'll always find a free place there as long as you're not there on Sunday morning – then the whole thing is like a hive.
Finally, if you still have a little time, look at this local art centre hidden in a converted warehouse on the edge of the city centre. There are changing exhibitions of regional artists, and the last time I saw a painting that is supposed to be the “Stille of the Indiana Prerie” – I don’t understand the hype, but the work of art has made me think, while I was sitting on the sticky chair trying not to curse the loud air conditioning. Parking is a bit a labyrinth because the center is behind a few small shops, but if you look around a bit, you will find a free place, and this is the real adventure here.
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