Visit Kirklin Clinton Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Kirklin, Indiana: Discover the "Monon Community Center" - a multipurpose centre for sports and leisure activities. Close to Indianapolis and versatile offers for every taste! #Travel TipsUSA #Indiana
Kirklin sights? Oh, before we talk about it, let me tell you the story: Founded in 1850 as a small railway hub, the town grew thanks to the nearby Indiana Central Railroad – a bit like a forgotten suburb that suddenly got a bit more attention because a train stopped. Honestly, the city has never reached the splendour of Indianapolis, but that makes the charm. I usually drive over the I‐69, which is practically cutting past the city, and if you prefer to travel by train, the Amtrak will rise in the neighbouring Lafayette station – from there a short Uber route, and you are in the middle of the small Indiana paradise.
Now to the real Kirklin sights: My personal favourite is the old town hall, which now houses a café. It is not exactly a UNESCO wonder, but the rustic wood interior and the crunching coffee machine give the whole a certain retro flair that I rarely find in larger cities. The historical Kirklin Cemetery – yes, a cemetery, but with artful gravestones, tell the stories you otherwise only know from history books. And if you want a bit of nature, just stroll along the Main Street Trail; the route is short, but the fields you cross, remember that Indiana has more to offer than corn fields and endless highways.
So, if you're going to Kirklin for the next time, let's first look past the old town hall – that's my top personal attraction because it looks like someone from a 19-century film stole the building from the window. I once experienced a spontaneous meeting with the mayor, who told me that the roof was only re-covered in 2022, because the old Schindeldach suddenly decided to lead an own life. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to grill.
Right next to the town hall is the Kirklin Community Park, a piece of green that has more to offer than just a few benches. The baseball court is the heartpiece, and I swear the sounds of the children who beat their first home rounds there have something almost nostalgic-irritating. I made a picnic there once, while an older gentleman swung loudly over the “good old times” of the local team – no joke, he even unpacked an old jersey from the 70s. Easy to reachbecause the car park is next to the entrance, and the only obstacle is a small but very stubborn garbage bucket that is always full when you arrive there.
A short walk takes you to the Kirklin Public Library, a tiny building that has more charm than some city libraries. I borrowed a book about the history of the city, which unfortunately had only 12 pages, but was picked with hand-drawn maps from Main Street. The librarian, a lady with a preference for neon-coloured socks, offered me a free coffee – a real secret tip, if you are looking for a place to briefly represent your legs and at the same time a little culture.
If you have enough books, look at the Kirklin Fire Department Museum. The old fire brigade was reworked in 1998 into a mini-museum, and I must admit I was skeptical first because I thought it was just a camp for old helmets. Instead, there is an original 1950 firefighter vehicle that still lets the engine start when turning the ignition key – a sound that reminds me of my childhood every time I secretly imitated the sirens. Parking is available directly in front of the entrance, but be warned: the sign “Only for use vehicles” is more a joke than a rule.
A walk along Main Street is a must because here the Kirklin Attractions in their most compact form. The old brick shops that have existed since the 1920s sell everything from handmade jams to vintage T-shirts with the logo of the local high school team. I once discovered an old record player who still worked – no joke, I bought it right away and tried it at home. The road is easy to explore, and parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't arrive on Friday night after the weekly “Kirklin Karaoke Night”, then the whole neighborhood is full of cars and singing seniors.
Last but not least, if you want to make a bit of history, make a detour to Kirklin Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery, but not any – here are the founders of the city, and the tombstones tell stories you don't hear anywhere else. I once found an old veteran whose medals were still shining, and a young man who told me that he made a picnic here every year with his family to honor the ancestors. Access is free, and parking is a small, inconspicuous place behind the gate that is rarely used because most visitors come to foot.
When I went to Kirklin for the first time, I thought it was just another slept spot in the Middle West – until I had the Prophetstown State Park discovered that it was only half an hour north. The park is a bit like a lively history book: wide prerias, a rebuilt Potawatomi village and hiking trails that lead you through untouched fields. I spent half a day there because I thought it was a short walk, and then suddenly realized that I circled the same Bison statue all the time. Parking is usually a Klacks, except for the long weekends in summer, as the caravans pile up like ant piles.
A short trip to Frankfort, about 12 miles east, brings you to Clinton County Courthouse, an imposing brick building that looks like someone escaped from a movie of 1905. I spent a few minutes admiring the marble pillars, while an older gentleman in a suit, clearly from the 70s, told me that the court building was “a piece of living history”. This is nice, but the real attraction is the small boutiques on Main Street – there are handmade soaps that smell better than any perfumery in Indianapolis.
If you're interested in slanted collections, that's Clinton County Historical Society Museum in Frankfort a must. The museum is small, but the exhibits are a bit like a suitcase full of family secrets: old land machines, a 1900s school book and a dusty sign with the inscription “Welcome to Kirklin” – the last I discovered because I was lost in the storage room when I was looking for toilet paper. Parking is practically always free here because the museum is located in a side street that hardly anyone pays attention.
For those who prefer to experience the adrenaline in the form of squeaking engines, Kokomo Speedway about 20 miles south a real secret tip. I was there on a Saturday night because I thought it was a bit too loud for me – and I was wrong. The atmosphere is a mix of high school party and oldtimer club, and the fans cheer as if they would see the final of Formula 1. The seats are simple, but parking is a labyrinth of concrete slabs; I almost turned my car in circles until a friendly racer showed me the way.
A bit further south, also in Kokomo, is the Kokomo Opalized Glass Factory. Here you can actually see how glass is dipped in bright colors – a process that looks more like a magic trick than it is technically explained. I volunteered for the tour because I thought it was “just a little glitter” and in the end I bought a piece of glass with a small star on it that is now on my desk. Parking is well signposted at the factory premises, but on Saturdays there is a small queue because the kids from the schools always come with their classes.
Another highlight for car lovers is that Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum. The museum is not huge, but the collection of classic vehicles is impressive – from a 1955 Chevrolet to a rare Ford Model T that I would almost have thought of as a film requisite. I spent a few hours there because I thought it was a short look, and then suddenly I realized that I was studying the same upholstery of the seat all the time. The museum has a small car park right in front of the door, and parking is almost a children's game as long as you are not at the same time as the local Oldtimer club meetings there.
So if you think the next time you want to spend your weekend, remember that Kirklin's environment has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. From preria to historical court buildings to squeaking race tracks – there is something for everyone who cares about everyday life. And yes, these are definitely some of the best Kirklin AttractionsI've ever seen.
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