Honestly, if you're looking for Indianola attractions, you must first understand that this tiny village in the heart of Carroll Township, Vermilion County, has more history than you suspect at first glance – founded in the 1850s by a group of farmers who named themselves for a failed dream in Indiana because they thought the “Indianola” sounds like progress. I feel the old wooden houses here tell stories that even the local library does not want to express anymore. The railway line, which once formed the backbone of trade, is now only a rusty strip, but if you drive by car over the I‐57 and then hit the road 150, you immediately feel that you are no longer in the hustle and bustle of the city – this is almost a little triumph over time.
I don't understand the hype about the supposedly “authentic” peasant markets, but the weekly meeting at the old barn square next to the church is really great because the locals exchange their self-pressed apple juices and the stories from the colonial period. And yes, the only thing that really shines here is the smile of the people you get when you ask for the path to the historic cemetery – a short way that leads you through fields that are still dominated by corn and soybeans. So if you arrive by train from Champaign, just get to the bus to Danville and take the taxi to the village centre; that's not glamorous, but it saves you the constant humour, whether you've gone. So, that was it first – I still have a few more Indianola attractions in the sleeve that I want to show you during the next visit.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was Kickapoo State Recreation Area, a huge piece of forest stretching like a green junction between the fields of Vermilion and the gentle hills in the north. I spent a weekend there because I thought a bit of hiking would calm my soul – and I wasn't wrong. The trails are well marked, parking is usually a Klacks, except for the hot summer days when the families flood the field with their picnic baskets. A small but fine lake called Bismarck Lake is located in the middle of the area; I spent a few hours there with an old angler who told me that the pike population is “almost legendary” here – a set that I still repeat today with a pussy.
A short trip to Danville leads directly to Constitution, a 20-kilometre path that has transformed former railway rails into a cycle and hiking path. I straightened over with my folding wheel for the first time, while an older couple walked comfortably and chatted loudly about the “good old time”. The trail is mostly flat, so no reason to complain if you are not just a marathon runner. And the best thing: in several places there are small resting places with benches where you can simply enjoy the silence – a rare luxury in this area.
If you want to sniff a little culture, that is Vermilion County Museum in Danville a must. I was there on a rainy afternoon because I thought a museum was the perfect counterpart to outdoor activities. The exhibition about local history is surprisingly well curated, and I even discovered an old photo of a horse car that reminded me of the stories of my grandparents. Parking is almost always easy as long as you do not come to the main exhibition season – then the car park becomes a battlefield quickly.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Danville Historic Courthouse. The impressive brick building from the 19th century Century stands in the middle of the city centre and radiates a kind of majestic dust, which is found only in small midwestern towns. I made a tour there with a very enthusiastic guide who knew more about the old court proceedings than about the current weather. The interiors are surprisingly well preserved, and today the court building serves as a venue for local art exhibitions – a real all-rounder.
For those who prefer to experience something craftsmanship, this is Danville Art Guild a small but fine place where local artists exhibit their works. I took part in a ceramic workshop there because I thought I could be a bit creative. The result was a somewhat crooked but charming vessel that I proudly brought home. The atmosphere is loose, and the owner of the studio has explained to me that they have an open market every Saturday, where you can buy homemade products – a good reason not to miss Saturday.
A short detour to Danville Farmers Market on Saturday morning is also recommended. I bought some fresh apples and some homemade cookies that reminded me of my childhood. The market is not huge, but the quality of the products is surprisingly high, and parking is right next to the marketplace – practical as long as you do not want to return to the car with a packed car.
Last but not least a short note on Danville Train Depot, which is no longer used as a regular railway station, but is preserved as a historical landmark. I took a picture there because the old brick building with its watch is a perfect motive for Instagram. The depot is just a few minutes from the city centre, and parking is usually easy as long as you are not there during a special event.
Whether you want to explore the nature at the Kickapoo State Recreation Area, suck the history at the Vermilion County Museum or just spend a relaxing Saturday at the Danville Farmers Market – the Indianola area offers more than enough fabric for a varied short trip. And while I have listed my favorite places here, the most important thing is: Indianola Attractions are not only points on a map, but experiences that you should enjoy with an eye-catcher and a pinch of local irony.
I have to admit that my heart beats a bit faster every time I get to the Indianola United Methodist Church think – this is the symbol of this sleepy little spot in the heart of Carroll Township for me. The red brick building from the late 19. The century stands where the horse cars used to hit the dusty paths, and the crumbling organ inside has more character than some hipster café in Chicago. When you arrive there, you park best at the small parking lot behind the Kirchhof; that is usually a Klacks, except on Sundays, when the whole community comes together and the cars look like ant piles.
Directly next to the church lies the Indianola cemetery, a quiet place I like to use for a bit of reflection – and yes, I have raised the head over the artfully carved gravestones there more than once, telling stories of pioneers who were looking for their luck here over a hundred years ago. The path is well signposted, you only have to follow the narrow gravel path that leads you through a small valley. I don’t understand the hype about “spicy cemeteries” completely, but here it’s rather a quiet retreat, and that makes him an underestimated pearl for me.
A short walk leads you to old Indianola school house, which today serves as a community center. The crunchy wood that once heard the laughing of primary school children now has a few colorful works of art from local artists on the walls – a real contrast to the dusty fields outside. I took part in a DIY workshop where we made small sculptures from recycled materials; that was really great and showed that the village has more to offer than just corn fields. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the terrain has only a small farm, but a free space is almost always to be found if you don't come to the main event of the month.
If you're looking for a bit more industrial charm, you'd better take a look at the Indianola grain silo at the railway track. The silver tower projects over the fields and is a magnet for train enthusiasts – the trains that pass here are rare and the noise of the brakes is almost meditative. I put a photo stop there, while an old diesel locomotive guide told me a few anecdotes about the “good old time”; that was a highlight I don't want to miss. Parking is practically right next to the silo, but be warned: on Friday night, when the harvest time ends, it can be quite crowded there.
A short detour about Indianola Bridge over the Rock River gives you the best view of the water that flows here leisurely. The bridge is not only a practical piece of infrastructure, but also a popular spot for Instagram shots – I have captured the sunset several times, and the light is simply magical. There is no official parking, but a small field road leads you to a small parking lot where you can park your car as long as you don't want to be back too late in the evening, because the road is hardly lit.
For a short moment of relaxation I recommend the Indianola City Park, a tiny but well maintained green area with a playground that is used more by the children of the neighborhood than you would expect. I often spent my lunch break, ate a sandwich and enjoyed the sound of the playing children as background music. The park is just behind the municipal center, so parking is practically always possible there – a small, unconsolidated parking is completely enough.
And yes, if you ask yourself what else you can see in this little spot, just look at the Indianola Attractions on the map – you will notice that the village is small but full of character. I have taken more than just a few photos here, I have made conversations, smiling and found some of the tranquility that one rarely experiences in the big cities. So, grab your curiosity and let this underestimated part of Illinois surprise you.
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