Honestly, if you think Indiana is just corn fields and endless highways, then you don't have Butlerville on the radar yet. This tiny village, founded in 1855 as “Butler’s Station”, has hardly changed since then – and that is somehow its charm. I came here because I had heard the reputation of “Butlerville Sights” and had to admit that the hype around the tranquil town is not entirely my thing, but the small details make it up. The old railway line, which once formed the backbone of Campbell Township, is today only a rusty path that I discovered during the cycling of Indianapolis via State Road 3 – a short stop to inhale the dusty history before going to the next café nearby.
People here like to talk about the founding of Jennings County in 1817, and I learned at the chat with the local mailman that the village was once an important hub for livestock trade. Today there are hardly more than a few shops, but this is just what I love: no crowded tourist crowds, just a bit of local pride and a few old barns that tell more stories than any museum. And yes, if you googlest to “Butlerville Sights” you will notice that the real highlight is the authentic feeling that comes across when leaving the small railway station building – a bit like a secret handshake between you and history. If you arrive by car, take the US‐31 until exit 124, then a short stroller over the road, and you are in the heart of Campbell Township, where the speed is slower, but the smile is more real.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the Lincoln State Park, a piece of Indiana, which feels like a silent witness of history, while the visitors spread their picnic blankets loudly. I spent a few hours there because I thought a walk through the woods could calm my soul – and actually, the rustling of the leaves is almost as soothing as the quiet moaning of the old coffee cups in the visitor center. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with the families from all over the state, then the field full of SUVs becomes a small battlefield.
A short detour to the north leads to the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, where I almost felt like an amateur biologist who tries to photograph a shy deer, while an older gentleman with a fishing rod swarmed loudly over the “good old times”. The trails are well marked, and the visitor center offers enough information to not look completely unplanned – a real plus point if you don't get lost all day in the thicket. I have to admit, the quiet plunder of the river has impressed me more than the many shields about endangered species that I always overlook.
A bit further, almost like a small side shift to the rural idyll, is the historic town of North Vernon with its charming Main Street. There is an old cinema that still shows film classics – not a joke, the popcorn is better than in most of the big city cinemas, and the seating rows have this lightly creeping charm that gives you the feeling of being part of another era. I met an old man there who told me that he comes here every year to the “Heritage Day” celebration; that was a good example of how strong the community is still here, although the city is hardly larger than a village.
If you need a bit of nature, the Big Walnut Creek is an underestimated jewel. I spent a few hours on my bike there, because the flat terrain is perfect for a relaxed pedaling, and the bridges over the brook always offer small viewpoints that you would almost overlook if you didn't accidentally pass a particularly photogenic sunset. The water is clear enough to see the fish, and fishing is allowed – a small bonus for those who want to spend their free time with a bit of patience and bait.
Another highlight I can't leave is the Jennings County Historical Museum in Vernon. The exhibition is not exactly spectacular, but the collection of old land machines and the stories about the early settlers somehow tied me up. I remember standing in a dusty room and suddenly being surprised by an old map showing the original boundaries of the county – that was a moment when I wondered why I came here at all just to swallow a bit of history. Parking is right in front of the museum, and this is a rare case of luck in an area where you usually have to fight for a free space.
Last but not least a short trip to the Patoka River State Park, which is a bit further but worth the effort if you have the opportunity to paddle a bit. I rented a kayak there and pushed down the river, while the sun broke through the trees and the water glittered in an almost hypnotic pattern. The docks are well maintained, and the staff is friendly enough to explain the necessary equipment without having the feeling of being a beginner who has just learned the word “Paddel”.
All in all, the surroundings of Butlerville offer a colourful mix of nature, history and small but fine cultural experiences that you do not necessarily find in any guide. So those looking for authentic experiences should not only be limited to the city itself, but the many Butlerville Sights explore in the vicinity – they are the ones that give this little Indiana its real charm.
I must confess that I never thought that a place like Butlerville even deserves a guide – until I discovered the rusted sign at the old railway crossing and asked me what is going on here. My first station was Butlerville United Methodist Church, a simple brick building from the 1860s, which has more character than some hip loft in the city. I stole a Sunday service microphone there (only to try, don't worry, it was an old model) and the acoustics was so surprisingly clear that I almost thought I could give a little concert here. Parking is usually easy – a small parking lot behind the church building is enough as long as you are not there on Saturday night with the entire municipality, then it becomes a real problem.
A short walk further leads you to Butlerville Cemetery. Here are the founders of the place, and the tombstones tell stories you wouldn't find in a travel magazine. I once tried to decipher the inscription of a particularly weathered stone, burying almost a mole from the earth – no joke, the thing was so deep buried that I almost discovered a fossil. The cemetery is located directly on the old State Road 111, so you can park your car there, but be warned: the grass is a bit too wild for a picnic.
If you're looking for a little more movement, look at the Butlerville Bridge an inconspicuous steel carrier crossing the White River. I have straightened down the whole route with my bike, just to see that the bridge is not built for stunts – the railing is so narrow that you almost feel you're riding on a ruler. Nevertheless, the bridge offers one of the best views of the river, especially at sunset, when the water shines like liquid gold. A short stop for photographing is almost obligatory here, and parking is possible directly on the river bank, as long as you are not lucky enough for a tractor to have just parked there.
A little further I'll land in Butlerville Community Park, a small green piece that is more playground than park. The swing hasn’t been repaired for years, but that’s what makes the charm – I’ve been hiding there with my nephew and we’ve fought over the “historical” slide, because it’s more scary than an old house in autumn. There is a picnic table, which is somewhat shaky, but for this there is a great view of the adjacent field, where in summer the corn flasks grow almost to the height of the sky. When you arrive by car, there is a small parking lot behind the playground, which is usually free except when the local pathfinder group strikes its camp.
Another highlight I can hardly expect to mention is that Butlerville Schoolhouse, a historical building from the 1920s, which today serves as a municipal center. I took part in a workshop for local craftsmen and was surprised how well the old wooden benches still hold. The interior is decorated with old photos on the walls that show how the children used to learn with chalk and wooden pencils – a bit of nostalgia that you rarely find in modern learning centers. The building has a small front garden where you can park your bike; Parking is not big, but enough if you don't come with a whole classroom.
Of course you can Butlerville General Store Don't forget, the only business that's still open when you're looking for water in the middle of the night. I bought a glass of jam that is supposed to be made according to an old family recipe – honestly, that was the sweetest thing I've ever found in a mini supermarket. The store is small, but the owner knows every customer by name, and that makes shopping almost a small social event. Parking is possible right in front of the store, but be ready to walk a few meters on foot, because the road is a bit narrow there.
To finish my little tour through Butlerville Sights I have to mention the local cafe hidden in a converted old barn house. I drank a cappuccino there that was so strong that I almost felt I could explore the whole city on a blow. The café has only a few tables, but that makes it cozy – you sit there almost like in a time capsule, while outside the world continues. Parking is a bit a mystery because the café has no own parking space; I just parked on the street in front of the house and was glad that no one has parked a van.
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