Honestly, if you think Indiana is just corn fields and highway races, you haven't experienced Blanford yet. The city was founded in 1858 as a railway hub, and this is still felt today when you walk along the old railway station – a piece of rusty nostalgia that tells more stories than any tourist poster. I don't understand the hype about the “small cities with charm”, but here the whole has a unique charm that can't be adjusted.
A short trip by car from Indianapolis (about 90 minutes via I‐74, then a short stroller to the US‐421) will take you to the heart of Clinton Township. There, between the fields, the town hall, which looks more like an old farmhouse, is practical if you need a document quickly, but not exactly Instagram worthy. I often wondered why people here are so proud of their primary school; Perhaps it is the good coffee the teachers serve in the teacher's room.
If you want to sniff a bit of culture, look at the little shops on Main Street – there are more handmade soaps than in some big city. And yes, Blanford Attractions include not only what is in guidebooks, but also the people who give you a smile while passing, which says more than any statue.
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The first stop I always recommend is that Vermillion County Historical Museum in Newport – a small but surprisingly well-stocked museum that reveals more about local history than one would expect from a place with less than 2 000 inhabitants. I remember the day that I accidentally stumbled into the children's department and suddenly was surrounded by a group of basic students who were enthusiastic about the old mining tools. Parking is usually a Klacks at the museum, a few free places right in front of the building as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the whole thing becomes a small battle around the last free parking space.
A short detour to Clinton leads you to Clinton Riverfront Parkwhere the Wabash River promenade mixes a bit of urban flair with rural idyll. Here you can watch a few ducks that seem to know more about life than most tourists. I once made a picnic that was disturbed by a suddenly emerging swarm geese – a real nature spectacle that reminded me that not everything is going on plan here, but that's what makes the charm. The parking lot is a small, unconsolidated area, which is usually sufficient as long as you do not get to the high season.
Who seeks the feeling of freedom should Wabash River Heritage Trail slid along. The path winds through fields, small villages and offers time and again views of the river, which here looks wider and calmer than in the urban sections. I tried the trail once with heavy rain – the mushy paths were a bit slippery, but the noise of the river overtones every complaint. The entrance is well signposted at the intersection of County Road 400 S, and parking is practical there because a small farm is right next to the trail.
A little further south, almost on the edge of the city, this is Coal City Museumwhich celebrates the mining history of the region. I have to admit, I was skeptical if a museum can be exciting about coal at all, but the interactive displays and the old Bergarbeiterhelm collections have completely surprised me. Once I accidentally triggered the alarm because I came to curious about an old conveyor belt – the staff only laughed and patiently explained why the part was never in operation. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually free, except when the local school class program runs.
Another architectural jewel is that Vermillion County Courthouse in Newport, an impressive brick building from the 19th Century that still serves as a courthouse. I took a lead there with a very enthusiastic historian who told me that the building was once the center of all rumors and scandals – a bit like the little Indiana equivalent to a Hollywood bald magazine. Parking is possible directly in front of the building, but there are often a few scattering dogs that are curious about visitors.
Last but not least a short detour about Wabash River Bridge (U.S. 41), which is not only a practical link between Indiana and Illinois, but also offers a surprisingly beautiful view of the river. I stood there once at sunset and watched how the light glitters over the water – a moment that sounds almost too cheesy to be true, but that's exactly what's special in these inconspicuous places. Parking is possible at the foot of the bridge on a small parking lot, but it is quickly full when the commuters return.
Whether you're looking for a history fan, nature lover or just a bit of a change from everyday life – the surroundings of Blanford have more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. From museums to historic buildings to picturesque river sections – here everyone finds something that enthuses him. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Blanford Attractions have a special place in my heart.
I have to confess to you at the beginning that Blanford Community Park for me is the true heart of this tiny little spot in the Middle West, not only because I spent my childhood flicking over the gravel roads with a rusty bicycle. The park is conveniently located on the edge of the village, a short walk from the main road, and offers a small baseball field, a playground that has more rust than color, and a few benches that you like to fill after a hot summer day. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to grill.
A short walk from the park leads you to Blanford Methodist Churcha building that has been throning over the place for over a century. I don't quite understand the hype about old churches, but the crunching wooden benches and the crunching light through the colorful glass windows have something soothing – almost as if time was running here slower. I once saw a small concert on a Sunday afternoon where a local guitarist played some blues standard pieces, and that was really great because the acoustics in the old bell tower were almost magical.
If you're interested in history, that's it. Blanford Historical Museum in the former school building a must. The old classroom is now a mini-museum that exhibits the history of the railway museum, the old mill and a few yellowed photos of founding families. I found an old school bus that was still labeled with a faded “Blanford High” – a real snapshot for Instagram if you want to capture the old America. The museum has no fixed opening hours, but usually the staff can be found after a short call.
A short walk along the main road leads you to Blanford Town Hall, a small brick building with a sign that proudly announces “Town Hall”. Here, the true life of the place is regulated – from permits for the annual pumpkin market to the endless meetings of the city council, which I once forgot because I thought there was a free cake buffet. Spoiler: There was no cake, but the discussion about the new garbage collection was at least entertaining.
A little further north, almost on the edge of the place, this is Blanford Cemetery. Yes, I know that doesn't sound like a typical tourist destination, but the old tombstones tell stories you don't find in any guide. I discovered a veteran from the First World War, whose inscription was almost completely disappeared in abandoned gold – a silent witness of the time that brings you to reflection while you stroll over the field.
A short descent to the river leads you to the Wabash River Access Pointsthat are not officially listed as “sights”, but for me to the best Blanford Attractions belong. The river swells gently, and you can throw out a few fishing rods at the small docks or just enjoy the water's plough. I met an old fisherman there who told me he's been catching his morning job here for over 40 years – no joke, he really meant that.
Finally, a short note on the Blanford Volunteer Fire Department. The red building on the corner of Main Street is not only a place where the firefighters store their equipment, but also a social hub. I took part in an open house where the boys and girls from the community baked cakes and presented their old fire trucks. This was not only a nice insight into community life, but also proof that in Blanford everyone holds a bit more together than in the big cities.
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