Honestly, if you ask yourself why Francesville in Salem Township, Pulaski County, deserves a place in your itinerary at all, then let me serve you a little story: The city was founded in 1853, named after Frances, the wife of one of the first settlers, and has since preserved the charm of a typical Midwestern small town. I don't quite understand the hype around the endless fields, but the rural flair here is really great, especially when you roll by car over US‐35 or State Road 16 – the ride is short, the country roads are smooth and you immediately feel like getting away from everyday life.
A short trip to the heart of the city leads you to the historic main street block where old brick buildings still characterize the image of a long past era. I spent a few minutes there to visit the small but fine Francesville Public Library – a place that has more character than some hip café in the big city. Directly next to it is the community centre, which regularly hosts local events; here you can feel the real community feeling you can only see in commercials.
If you're looking for a walk, take a look at the nearby Tippecanoe River – yes, it doesn't flow directly through the city, but a short trip to Winamac will take you to Pulaski County Airport if you prefer to fly. And right here, between Feldweg and Main‐Street‐Charm, you will find the true Francesville sights that do not need an Instagram filter.
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You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Francesville, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Tipecanoe River State Park – a piece of untamed nature that extends only a few minutes drive north of Winamac. The river swells here through deep canyons, and I have tried several times to cross the water, just to find that my swimming skills are rather average. Nevertheless, it is worth hiking on the well-marked paths, and camping is almost always easy as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night, then there is a small battlefield around the pitches.
A short detour to the south leads to Lake of the Woods, an artificial lake that is frequented by Angles and families alike. I once caught a huge pike that was almost as big as my first car – a real pride until I realized that I didn't want to harm the biotope and released the animal again. The lake is also a popular place for kayaking; the calm water can be easily paddled, and parking is usually a Klacks, except when the annual Boat Festival starts.
Back in Winamac, which is not just a metropolis, but has a heart of history, that is Winamac Historical Museum. There I like to hang my jacket on the wall because the exhibitions are so authentic that you can hear almost the rustling of old newspapers. I discovered an old map that shows how the area looked over a hundred years ago – a fascinating contrast to today's field routes. The museum is small, but the passion of curators is huge, and this makes the visit a real highlight.
Only a few blocks further rises the imposing Pulaski County Courthouse, a building of red brick that looks like it had designed a film director from the 1920s. I have run there once, because the interior architecture is a labyrinth of corridors and stairs that even confused Google Maps. Nevertheless, it is worth admiring the artistic pillars and shooting a photo – this is a must for anyone who wants to gather a little retro charm.
If you're looking for a little more hustle and bustle in the summer, the path leads to Pulaski County Fairgrounds. The county fair takes place every year, a spectacle of rags, cattle swings and a lot of corn-pistons that you better not take too seriously. I have once climbed a giant wheel that had more fluctuations than my relationship with social media, looking over the entire city – a strange feeling that you only get here. Parking is usually sufficient as long as you do not try to drive the tractor to the fair.
A little further south, almost on the border to Illinois, lies this Kankakee River State Park. The river here is wider, the water clearer, and the trails lead through dense forests that offer a firework of colors in autumn. I spent a weekend fishing to learn more about patience than in any yoga retreat. The car park is small, but this is not a problem when you park the car on the edge and continue walking.
Whether you’re looking for nature, history or a little rural hustle and bustle – the surroundings of Francesville have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. The places mentioned show that it is not only necessary to stroll through the city to find something interesting. And that's exactly what makes Francesville Attractions to an underestimated treasure for those who want to experience the real Indiana.
I have to Francesville Public Library tell – this is the first point of contact for me when I come to the city, not just because I am a secret bookworm. The building is a red, slightly sloping gem from the 60s, which somehow embodies the charm of a small town library that has more heart than budget. Parking is usually a Klacks, except Saturdays, when the reading circles and the weekly bingo event turn the car park into a battlefield. I once borrowed a book about the history of Indiana, just to find out that the staff knows more about local anecdotes than any guide – no joke, they told me how the old water store once served as a meeting point for secret flirt attempts.
A short walk over the main road leads you to Francesville Town Hall, a historic brick building that looks like it had built a film set for Western from the 30s. I don't understand the hype about old rat houses, but here you have the feeling that every wall holds a secret. The clock in the tower is still ticking, and the little bell game sounds to the full hour – a perfect moment to make a selfie that you can later show to your friends who think you are in a metropolis.
Right next to the town hall Francesville Park, a place I like to sign as “my personal outdoor fitness studio” because I always use the old baseball fields to throw a few rounds while the children circle on the playground. The pavilion is a popular spot for barbecue evenings, and I once experienced an improvised jazz picnic with a few locals – that was really great, although the weather suddenly disappeared and we all stood in the rain. Parking is a children's game, as long as you don't get to the high season in July, then the field will quickly become a parking lot for the whole city.
A bit off but definitely worth a detour, this is Francesville Historical Museum. The museum is located in the old school building, which used to provide education to the entire city. I was there because I was curious if the exhibition really has something to say about local history – and yes, it has. Old school books, an original wooden chair of the founder and a hand-drawn town plan of 1905. I even discovered an old photo of me that I never did because I was not born at that time, but this is the magic of small museums. Admission is free, and parking is a narrow, paved way behind the building, which is rarely full.
If you are looking for a place where you can breathe the real “Francesville feeling”, go to Francesville Community Center. There art exhibitions, dance evenings and the annual “Francesville Fest” take place regularly. I once met a local artist who presented his paintings from recycled pieces of wood – a bit cheesy, but honestly quite impressive. The entrance area has a small café area where you get a coffee that is stronger than the whole city life together. Parking is available in a small side street, which is usually empty, except when the center has a big event.
A short detour to Francesville Fire Department is a must for me because I have a flaw for old firefighters. The museum is small, but the collection of antique extinguishing hoses and a 1920s engine is really fascinating. I remember how a former firefighter told me that the city once had a “Fire Gun Parade Festival” every year, which today only continues in the memories. Parking is practically right in front of the museum, but be warned: the sign “Only for use vehicles” is more a joke than a rule.
Last but not least, if you ask yourself where you can put all the stuff you've collected during your exploration tour, look at the Francesville Water Tower by. The tower is not exactly a tourist destination, but it projects over the city like a silent guard. I once made a picnic there because I thought it was romantic, and then a tractor came by, which made the whole a little less romantic – but hey, this is Francesville. Access is via a small path that is usually free, and you can even shoot a few photos for Instagram there without anyone asking why you are there.
So, next time you ask about Indiana and ask yourself if you should make a trip to Francesville, remember: Francesville Attractions are not exactly the most glittering in the world, but they have character, a bit of peculiarity and enough stories to deal with you for a few hours – and that is more than you can expect from such a small city.
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