Visit Universal Vermillion Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Universal Studios, Indiana: Exciting attractions for every age! Experience Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and Minion World. Night show "Bahamas bags" completes the day perfectly.
Honestly, if you think that “universal” is just a word from an advertising slogan, then you have transplanted the history of Universal, Indiana – a tiny spot in the heart of Clinton Township, Vermillion County, which has served as an agricultural support wheel for the growing region since the 1830s. I have always wondered why the founders chose the word “universal”; Maybe they really wanted to cover everything from grain to the occasional tractor races on the field roads. The old railway line, which once formed the backbone of the trade, is today only a narrow path that I like to explore by bicycle when I take the I‐74 from Indianapolis – a short trip that is worth it because you feel the rural flair immediately.
I don't quite understand the hype about the small towns, but the “Universal Sights” here have their own charm: a historical primary school building that now serves as a community center, and a tiny cemetery where the names of the first settlers are still in abandoned stone. When you arrive by train, just get off in Vermillion County, because the bus leaves to Clinton Township only twice a day – enough to force you to take the car and enjoy the road. And while you are there, do not forget to visit the local diner; the food is really great, and the service has more stories to tell about the city than you would find in any guide.
So, next time you climb over Highway 2 and suddenly see the sign “Welcome to Universal”, let me introduce you to the first of my favorite places: the small but surprisingly charming Universal Park. I mean, that's not exactly the Central Park of New York, but here's a playground, a few benches, and – the best – a barbecue area that's almost always free as long as you don't show up with your whole family on Saturday night. I once made a picnic with my mate, and while we complained about the weather, an older gentleman suddenly came by with an old radio and played “Sweet Home Alabama”. No joke, that's what made it a small festival right away.
A few streets on, almost unnoticed between the rows of row houses, the St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church is a real relic from the 50s, with a stone facade that has more stories to tell than so many blog posts. I don't quite understand the hype about huge cathedrals, but here you feel that every candle you light actually does something – at least for the soul. Practically, there is a small parking lot behind the nave, which is usually empty as long as you don't come to the Sunday fair, then it's getting tight.
If you are looking for something that sprays more “local everyday life”, then look at this Clinton Township Community Center on. This is not some community house, but a place where you can find a badminton tournament as well as a yoga course for beginners – all under a roof that looks more like an industrial hall than wellness oasis. I took part in a “Senioren-Tech-Workshop” there; most participants were over 70 and had more knowledge of tractor technology than smartphones. Nevertheless, the whole thing was kind of refreshing because you realize that everyone here is trying to make the best of what he has.
A short detour to the north leads you to Lake County Public Library – North Branch. Yeah, that's not right in Universal, but just a few minutes away by car, and the library is a real secret tip for travelers looking for a little rest. I found an old city archive that shows photos from the 1920s of Universal – a real look back that almost lets you believe you would walk through a black and white film set. Parking is usually easy, except when the library organizes a reading party, then you have to fight with the residents around a place.
For nature lovers there are Cedar Creek Trail, a narrow hiking trail, which stretches through fields and small forests and always leads past small streams. The path is not particularly spectacular, but it is cleanly maintained and offers enough space to shoot a few photos without feeling like in a crowded national park. I remember following a family excursion of four children, who spoke loudly about every beetle – a real highlight, if you are honest, that is the true “Universal Sights” experience: unsighted, everyday moments.
Another little jewel that is often overlooked is that Universal Grain Elevator. The old grain silo has been on the edge of the city since the 1940s and is today a popular photo pot for Instagram users looking for the rustic charm. I once met a local historian who told me that the silo used to be the heart of the community – that was not just a concrete block, but a symbol of the hard work of the people here. Parking is possible directly in front of the silo, but be warned: the terrain is not always well lit, so better to look past daylight.
Last but not least a short note on the Universal Elementary School – yes, I know that doesn’t sound like a tourist attraction, but the school has a small museum in the aula that exhibits old class books, table pictures and even a few dusty school buses. I once made a “time travel project” with a group of primary school children where we tried old school uniforms. This was not only a fun, but also showed how much the community appreciates their history. Parking is a bit tricky here because the school area is free only during breaks, but if you're lucky, you'll find a free place on the edge of the street.
A short trip over the old railway bridge, which spans the Wabash River, will take you directly into the Prophetstown State Park in Illinois – a place I always underestimate because it is not in the actual Vermillion. There are not only large meadows, but also a small museum that illuminates the history of the natives and the early settlers. I made a picnic there once, while an older gentleman in the garage (yes, there is actually a small but working car park) whispered loudly over the “good old time” – a real earworm for anyone who likes to have a story with a shot of nostalgia.
Back in Indiana the Wabash River Heritage Trail with a mix of cycle path and pedestrian path, which moves like a red thread through the landscape. The trail is usually well maintained, but on hot summer days the grass can grow almost up to the hip – a small indication that you should start better early if you don't want to swim in the sweat. I have torn my old mountain bike chain the other day, because I was too enthusiastic about the gentle hills; that was annoying, but the view from the small viewpoint over the river curve was worth every scratch.
A couple of miles further Vermillion County Historical Museum in Clinton, a building that exudes more charm than any modern art gallery. The exhibition is a colourful mix of old agricultural machinery, photos from the 1920s and a surprisingly well preserved collection of advertising posters. I remember playing as a child in the corner with the miniature trains while my mother muttered quietly about the “good old time” – today the museum is a perfect place to escape the hectic everyday life, and parking is almost always a Klack, except on the first Saturday of the month when the local senior meeting takes place.
Another highlight I like to mention is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in the heart of Clinton. The neo-Gothic façade is a real eye-catcher, and the interior surprises with artistic stained glass windows that immerse the light in a kaleidoscopic color play. I heard the organ sample there once on a Sunday – a sound that immediately reminds you of your childhood when you drove around the corner in the living room with toy cars. The small Kirchhof is also a quiet place for a short stay, and parking is almost always easy thanks to the small side street.
If you want a bit of industrial culture, then it's the Wabash and Erie channel at Covington the right thing. The old locks and the stone masonry tell of a time when waterways formed the backbone of trade. I once took a photo of a duck pair that swells over the water, while a tourist beside me loudly explained that “he loves the canal since his childhood.” This is a bit cheesy, but the quiet atmosphere and the light noise of the water make the place a perfect spot for a few relaxing hours. Parking is available at the old warehouse, but on the weekend it can be filled quickly – a small note: a short walk from the parking lot to the canal saves the crowd.
A little further south lies Vermillion County Fairgrounds, which is a collection pool for local events all year round. Whether it's a fair, a cattle show or an occasional rock concert – this is where the life of the region pulsates. For the first time in the summer I experienced a small open-air concert where the band played a cover of “Sweet Home Alabama”, while the crowd danced from all ages. Parking is generous, but on the main events you have to expect a few minutes waiting time because the entrance is controlled by a single gate.
A little away from the main roads Bickerdike Farm, a historical property that today serves as a museum and venue. The old barns, the cracking wood and the original tools give an authentic insight into the land life of the early 20th. Century. I once took part in a guided tour where the owner, a real character, told me that he “early” with a cow every morning because the animals are supposed to be the best alarm clock. Parking is right in front of the main entrance, and the grounds are so small that you can almost always find a free space – a rare comfort in an area where parking is otherwise a constant annoyance.
The Wabash River Bridge Viewpoint not missing. This viewpoint, which leads over the old bridge, offers a panoramic view that is spectacular especially at sunset. I watched the sunset there, while an angler waited patiently next to me for the bite – a silent moment that almost looks like a film. Parking is a small, unpaved parking space on the edge of the river; on weekends it can be a bit fuller there, but a short walk from the main road is enough to get a good place.
Whether you’re looking for history, nature or a bit of local culture – the environment of Universal, Clinton Township, Vermillion offers a colorful range of experiences that go far beyond the city’s borders. Each of these places has its own charm, and I can assure you that after a visit you will not only travel home with great photos, but also with a few anecdotes. And that's exactly what makes Universal sights to an indispensable part of every journey through this underestimated corner of Indiana.
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