Switz City attractions are more of a thought game for me than a travel guide entry, and that's exactly what I want to tell you now, as if I'm sitting with you on the old main street with a cool beer. The city was founded in 1854 by a handful of Swiss immigrants who dreamed of a piece of alpine air to Indiana – a bit cheesy, but the names are hanging. Fairplay Township, which surrounds us, is the typical central Germany imitation in the Middle West: flat fields, a few old barns and a county court that speaks more about local politics than about law.
I have always taken the journey to Bloomington by train and then took Highway 54 – a short trip to the road that leads you through the heart of Greene County, where the signs still shine in friendly yellow and the GPS voice suddenly murmurs “Welcome in Paradise”. Honestly, this is not a Hollywood set, but the smile of the locals is really great.
When you finally arrive in Switz City, you will find that the “sights” are more of small cafes, an old library of the 1900s and a cemetery that tells more stories than any museum. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest festival parade, but the adjacent antique shop is a real place for nostalgics. And while you're sneaking through the headstone pavements, you hear the quiet ratter of a tractor – this is the soundtrack of everyday life here, and I find it somehow charming.
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The Hoosier National Forest, which lays like a green belt around Switz City, is my personal retreat when I want to escape everyday life – not only because the trees are actually a little bigger than those in my front garden. I have already explored the trail “Pioneer Creek” several times, a 3 miles walkway that is barely overrun as long as you don’t get to the whole family on weekends. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, because then the local anglers and mountain bikers will pick up their camp at the same time.
A short trip to O'Bannon Woods State Park, about 30 km south, is especially worthwhile for those who like to sit on the water and enjoy the quiet stroller of Lake O'Bannon. I have to admit, I don’t understand the hype about the “Glamping” there – a tent is much more authentic – but the well-maintained visitor centre and the possibility of borrowing a canoe have convinced me that I return here at least once a year. The parking lot at the main entrance is huge, so no stress when you arrive by car.
If you want to sniff a bit of history, go to Linton, where the Greene County Historical Society Museum is housed in an old bank building. I found an old map that shows how Switz City was once a hub for the railroad – a detail that most guides lack. The museum is small, but the exhibition on local agriculture is surprisingly captivating, and the staff makes you almost feel you're part of the story because they like to tell you anecdotes from their childhood.
The Linton Railroad Museum is just a few streets away, a paradise for those who can delight in old locomotives and rusty tracks. I spent a day there because I thought it was just a mini-exposition room – instead there is a restored steam train wagon warehouse, which is actually still ready to go. The entrance is free, but parking is a bit tight, so better come early if you don't want to park in the circle.
A short trip to Bloomfield leads you to the Greene County Courthouse, an impressive brick building from the 19th century. Century that still serves as a courthouse. I once made a courtroom tour there because I thought that was a bit boring – but the lead was so dry that I almost fell asleep if the old judge suddenly made a joke about the “lost” files. The place in front of the courthouse is a popular meeting place for locals, so expect a little hustle when you arrive there.
For those who prefer fishing on the water, the Blue River is an underestimated jewel. I've spent several mornings there while the sun was rising over the trees and I tried to catch the biggest cash – without success, but the noise of the river is a perfect soundtrack for a bit of self-reflection. Access is free, and parking at the main entrance is usually easy as long as you don't come on Saturday night after the local fishing event.
Another highlight is the annual Greene County Fairgrounds event that takes place in August. I tried a giant wheel there for the first time because I thought that would be a typical County Fair experience – and indeed, the giant wheel offers a surprisingly good view over the entire Fairgrounds estate, including the cattle toas and the scent of burnt almonds. Parking is huge, but getting by bus is an option if you want to avoid the crowd.
All in all, the surroundings of Switz City offer a surprisingly wide range of experiences, from deep forests to historical museums to lively events – all without the usual tourist crowds. If you are looking for authentic experiences, the Switz City Sights do not miss.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Switz City is not some hip bar, but that Switz City Park. The small, slightly weathered playground with the squeaking swings has something unpredictable that I miss with all the exaggerated Instagram spots – here there is no selfie station, just a few old benches, a football field that has more potholes than a field path, and a small pond where ducks can be seen more than tourists. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, because then the whole neighborhood appears with barbecue smell and loud music.
A short walk on and you stumble over the Switz City Community Center. I don't quite understand the hype about modern co-working spaces, but here there is a room where the local senior group plays bingo every Wednesday and the youth department hosts an angry drum. The walls are wallpapered with old vintage pictures – a bit cheesy, but somehow charming. If you're lucky, you can get a free coffee from the small vending machine at the entrance, which tastes more like dust than espresso.
Now comes a place I almost always look over because it is so inconspicuous: Switz City Library. Part of the Greene County Public Library network, it is a small, squeaky building that houses more books about local history than you could read in a day. I found an old photo album there that shows the city in 1902 – no joke, that was a real look into the past, and the staff was so friendly that they even gave me some old city plans from the archive. Wi-Fi is available, but the signal is so weak that you almost have to read again.
A short detour to Switz City United Methodist Church is almost obligatory if you want to feel the real heart of the city. The church is not only a place for Sunday worship, but also for the annual Kürbisschnitz Festival, where the municipality brings together more pumpkins than people. I once saw a pumpkin that was so perfectly carved that I almost thought he was made of plastic until a little boy crushed him with a wide grin.
Now a little cynicism: the Switz City Fire Department – yes, this is actually a “sight point” when you are looking to admire red fire trucks that have not been rested for years. The old fire department smells like diesel and dust, and the equipment is so old that you ask if it still meets the current safety standards. Nevertheless, if you're a real fan of Nostalgie, you can see some old helmets and some yellowed photos of brave firefighters from the 60s.
A short jump over the city border leads you to the neighboring Fairplay Township Park. Here there is a small lake that is populated in the summer by ducks and a few overcrowded children who drive around with plastic boats. I once made a picnic with a friend, and we made fun of the fact that the sign “Please don’t leave a garbage” seemed like a dream, because we left a bunch of empty chips bags at the end.
Directly next to the park Fairplay Community Center. This is the place where the local band “The Cornfield Crooners” plays a little country rock every Friday night – no joke, that’s actually a thing. The acoustics are so bad that you feel you hear the music through a cardboard wall. Nevertheless, the beer is cheap and the mood is honest what is rare in a small town.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Fairplay Township Hall. The building is a classic example of the type of administration you only find in rural areas: a long hallway, a few old desks and a sign that announces “Township Meetings – 7 pm, Tuesdays”. I took part in a meeting where the new garbage collection route was discussed – a drama that was almost as exciting as a crime when you know the right people.
And because I must not forget that Fairplay Cemetery – a quiet place where you can read the history of the city in engraved stones. I found a grave there that dates back to 1889 and bears the name “Elias Switz” – a small indication of why the city is called that. It is a bit creepy, but at the same time a quiet place to think if you have enough of the loud, modern attractions.
If you now think that this is too much, let me tell you: Switz City Sights are not exactly what you would expect in a guide for big cities, but that's exactly what makes the charm. There are no crowded museums, only real people, a bit of dust and a lot of stories you only get when you dare to walk a little off the beaten paths.
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