Honestly, if you ask yourself why a tiny spot in the Middle West has a name at all, then let me serve you a little story: Oolitic was born in the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to a small but fine limestone mine, which fed the whole area with the coveted Oolith rock – therefore also the name. The village is located in the Shawswick Township, which in turn is part of Lawrence County, and has hardly changed since the 1930s, apart from a few modern bungalows, which have emerged between the old brick houses. I took the first time by train from Indianapolis, because the railway line is still a bit going through the county, and then just took Highway 37 – a short detour that catapults you in the middle of the Middle West.
Now to the Oolitic sights that I really find recommendable: The old quarry, which today serves as a quiet viewpoint, is a perfect place to sense a bit about the geological past while listening to the quiet noise of the nearby Little River. If you want a little local flair, stroll through Main Street, where you can find some rustic cafes that have more charm than some big city chains. And yes, the annual county festival that takes place in August is not a joke – it is the only opportunity where you can experience real Indiana hospitality with a portion of corn bread and live bluegrass. If you arrive by car, you can simply bend over the State Road 37; Parking is usually a children's game because the city is not just crowded.
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The first stop I recommend for every visitor is that Hoosier National Forest – a wild spot earth that extends south of Oolitic and offers more than 200,000 hectares of unspoiled nature. I spent half a day on the trail “Cedar Creek”, while the leaves nested under the feet and filtered the sun through the dense canopy. Parking is usually easy, except for weekends when the families with picnic baskets flood the field; then you have to avoid a few meters and walk the way. The trails are well signposted, and if you're lucky, you'll meet a Ranger who comes up with an anecdote about the old quarries in the region – a nice bonus if you're talking about Oolitic.
A short detour to the north leads to Lincoln State Parkwhere one can trace the traces of the young Abraham Lincoln who worked here as a teenager as a woodjack. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the hype about the historical wooden discs, but the museum, which is housed in an old Log Cabin, has issued a few rare letters from his time, which really impressed me. The parking lot right at the entrance is large enough to leave the car, and a small café stand sells fresh apple cake – no joke, this is the best piece of cake I have eaten for years.
If you have enough of history, you should drive to Mitchell to the World’s Largest Rocking Chair to see. Yes, this is really a huge wooden swing chair that is almost as high as a two-storey house. I did a photo there that I posted later on Instagram just to see how many people actually want to sit on it. The place is a classic “Road-Trip-Stop”, and parking is a children’s game – a small parking space next to the chair where you can park the car while trying to keep the balance.
A little further west lies Lawrence Courthouse in Bedford, an impressive brick building from the 19th century Century, which today still serves as a courthouse. I made a tour there with a local historian who told me that the building was once the heart of the stone industry, because the city is famous for its high-quality Oolith limestone. The interior is surprisingly well preserved, and parking is free directly in front of the building as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the city administration hosts a small festival.
For nature lovers who prefer to stay on the water, Blue River Scenic Trail a real secret tip. The path follows the river course and offers numerous places for fishing, picnicing and just enjoying the water's plough. I spent a few hours there, while an older couple in the vicinity ignited a campfire and roasted Marshmallows – a picture that always comes to my mind when I recall Oolitic. The trail is well marked, and parking is possible on several small trips, with a few additional cars to be expected in the summer.
A bit further south, almost towards Bloomington, this is Indiana Limestone Center. There you can follow the history of the famous Indiana limestone used in many famous buildings such as the Empire State Building. I made a guided tour there with a real stone carving that showed me how to carve artistic columns from raw Oolith – a craft that is barely taught today. The center has a small café that serves surprisingly good coffee, and parking is directly at the building, but only limited if the school classes have their excursions.
Whether you're looking for history, nature or scrupulous photo motifs, the surroundings of Oolitic offer a colourful mix of experiences that go far beyond the city boundaries. These targets show that the region has more to offer than quarries – from extensive forests to historical sites to peculiar attractions. So the next time he thinks where to spend his time, the Oolitic Sights do not miss.
So, if you land next time in Oolitic, let's go first Oolitic Stone Company control – this is the heart of this stony spot. I took part in a tour there the other day, and honestly, the whole ghunting around the “big stones” is a bit exaggerated, but the chance to stand in a real limestone break and see how the ooliths are scratched from the interior of the earth is really fascinating. Parking is usually a Klacks, unless you arrive on Saturday night, then the field before the entrance suddenly becomes the battlefield for trucks and campers.
Directly next to the quarry lies Oolitic Public Library, a tiny but charming building that has more character than some city library. I found an old photo album there that documents the city from the 1900s to today – a real treasure for anyone who likes to sneak into the past. The library has no 24 hour coffee machine, but the friendly librarian will let you drink a cup of tea while you browse through the shelves.
A short walk leads you to Oolitic Community Park. Here there is a playground, a few baseball fields and enough green space to spread a picnic – ideal if you want to catch some fresh air after a long drive. The toilets are not the most modern version, but they work, and the garage next to the field is free as long as you don't meet the local high school baseball team at noon.
If you have enough of green areas, look at this Oolitic Historical Society Museum in the old school building from the 1920s. I was there because I thought there were some dusty exhibits, but instead I found an impressive collection of limestone tools and even a few original shields from the time when Oolitic was still called “Little Limestone Town”. The museum has no fixed opening hours, but the volunteers are usually there when you swing by between 10 and 2 pm.
Another piece Oolitic sightsthat I cannot leave is the old Town Hall from 1910. The building is a prime example of the sober but robust architecture of the early 1900s. I once experienced a City Assembly Protocol Day there – nothing exciting, but the cracking chairs and the quiet sum of the old air conditioning give the whole a certain retro charm. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the small neighborhood has limited pitches; a short roundabout around the corner usually solves the problem.
A small but fine secret tip is that Oolitic Diner on the main road. I got the best milkshake in the region there – no joke, the stuff was so creamy that I almost sent the glass back because I thought it was an art object. The diner has only a few tables, so be ready to wait a bit when you come to the main meal. The best thing: you accept cash payment, so you can leave your credit card at home if you want to fully cost the Retro feeling.
Last but not least a short trip to Oolitic Fire Department Museum. This is not a huge museum, rather a small shed full of old fire brigade helmets, hose reels and a crunching but working old siren you can test on every visit – that's kind of satisfying. The staff is usually a few retired firefighters who like to tell you how they used to save the whole village from burning barns. Parking is practically right in front of the door, so no stress if you want to refuel a bit of nostalgia after a long day.
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