Honestly, if you ask yourself why I want to talk about Crane at all, this is because of his inconspicuous story: Founded in late 19. Century, the small village in the heart of the Perry Townships of Martin County slowly grew out of a wooden shed node to what is today a sleepy but proud part of Indiana. I have the feeling that most guides try to romanticize the whole thing, but there is no snuck here, just honest facts and a bit of local cynicism. The old railway line, which once formed the backbone of the economy, is today only a piece of rails that are discovered during walking across the field roads – a silent witness of the time that I always like to mention, because it shows that Crane has not suddenly emerged from nothing.
When you arrive by car, take the State Road 45; it takes you right through the township, past endless corn fields, and lets you almost forget that you are even on the road. A short detour to the County Road 12 takes you to the centre where you get the true “Crane Sights” feeling: an old post office that still sorts letters, and a café that serves more cakes than there are guests – no joke, this is almost a local myth. I don't understand the hype for big cities, but here, between the fields and the quiet noise of the wind, I find my favorite places, and I want you to feel them just as I experience them.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the glittering Patoka-See-Ufer, where after a long day in the office I finally felt the water really smelled – a mix of fresh pine air and the unmistakable smell of motor boats that make more noise than a kindergarten full of chalk. I discovered an old, rusty rowing boat, which seems to be there since the 70s; a perfect spot for a spontaneous photoshoot, if you have the courage to sit next to the “forgot” companion. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then everyone from all over the state suddenly stumbles here to try his fishing “Glück”.
A short detour to the Hoosier National Forest, just a few minutes over the State Road 64, brought me into a forest piece that looks more like a film set than an ordinary forest area. The Trail of Tears Scenic Byway stretches through ancient oaks, the branches of which project into the sky like carnivorous hands – a perfect place to sort your own thoughts while trying not to stumble over the many roots that seem to lead a life here. I have to admit, I don’t understand the hype about “walking for beginners”, but here, between the quiet calls of the owls and the occasional rustling of a roe, the whole thing suddenly feels pretty great on.
The Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge lies further south, hardly overlooked. I spent a few hours watching with a binoculars how a swarm of geese pulled over the water – a picture I posted later in my Instagram feed with the hashtag #BirdwatchingFail, because I accidentally uploaded the wrong picture of my lunch. The place is a paradise for nature lovers, and the best: the paths are well marked, so you don't have to constantly search for the next sign, which usually leads to a small odyssey.
A short trip to Shoals, the County Seat of Martin County, brought me to the Martin County Courthouse – a building that looks like it had built an architect from the 1800s with a modern “user-more-window” compulsion. The facade is made of red brick, and the interior has this almost cheesy, but somehow charming wood panelling that reminds me of the old dishes of my grandmother. I spent a few minutes browsing the old court records – nothing exciting but a good example of how history continues in small, inconspicuous buildings.
Only a stone's throw away is the Martin County Historical Museum, a small but fine museum that tells more about local history than one would expect from a place with less than 2 000 inhabitants. I saw an old tractor model from the 1930s that immediately reminded me of the stories of my own family, which was still on the road with horse cars. The museum is not exactly a tourist magnet, but that makes the charm – no crowds, only a quiet space where you can really take time to swallow the past.
At the end of my small tour, I made another trip to the Miller’s Bridge Marina, located on the southern shores of Lake Patoka. There is a small kiosk that serves the best hot dogs in the region – a culinary highlight that I don't want to miss when I'm here the next time. The pier is ideal for watching the sunset while sneaking a cool beer from the local brewery. And yes, parking is almost always a children's game, as long as you don't get to the high season, then the whole thing becomes a little adventure again.
Whether you are a passionate nature lover, a history fan or just someone looking for a good hot dog – the surroundings of Crane, Township of Perry, Martin, Indiana have something to offer for everyone. The mixture of quiet lakes, ancient forests and charming little town corners makes the region an underestimated jewel in the Middle West. And next time you roll out your card, remember: Crane Attractions are not only points on a sheet of paper, but experiences that you take home with an eye-catcher and a smile in your luggage.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Crane, Township of Perry is not some hip Rooftop bar, but that Crane Town Hall – a small brick building that sprays more charm than most big city hotels. When you arrive there, you will immediately be greeted by the creeping wooden door, which can hardly be opened because the castle has never been waiting since 1973. I once observed a Citizenship Council meeting that seemed more like a family meeting: a few older gentlemen who discussed the latest garbage collection route, while a teenager sang quietly “TikTok” in the background. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because the annual “Crane Pick‐n‐Play” takes place in the backyard and everyone tries to get a free space.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Crane Public Library. I don't quite understand the hype about libraries, but here the staff has a humor that makes every book lover sneak. Last week, I borrowed a book about Indiana stories and got a handwritten note with the inscription “Preview, the chapter about the 1970s Orn mill could scare you in.” This is not only a place to read, but a mini-cultural center where local musicians occasionally occur – mostly in the corner where the children play with building blocks. Parking is a bit shaky, because the small field behind the building is reserved only for residents, but a few free places are always found when you bend a bit around the corner.
If you're looking for a place to get rid of your energy, that's it. Crane Community Center That's right. I took part in a yoga course that was led by a pensioner who knew more about “Chakren” than about the current weather forecast. The hall always smells of fresh coffee because the café next door (a tiny kiosk nobody finds on Google) constantly roasts new beans. The Center has a small parking lot full on Fridays, because then the “Crane Farmers Market” is going on – a market where you can find more homemade jams than in a gourmet supermarket.
A little away from the center lies Crane Creek, a narrow brook that stretches through the countryside. I once tried to fish there, only to determine that the only fish biting are the plastic figures from the local toy store. Nevertheless, the place is perfect for a picnic, because there are no loud tourists there, only a few ducks that sample you with sceptical views. The access is free, but the small wooden ridge that leads over the brook is often slippery in winter – so wear your boots if you don't want to end up in the mud.
Another highlight that I cannot overlook is that Crane Historical Society Museum. The museum is a tiny space in a former shop, now full of old photos, tools and a collection of shields from the 1920s. I found an old shovel there that was supposed to be used by one of the founders of Crane – I think that was more of an advertising gag, but it makes the whole thing somehow authentic. The museum has no regular opening hours, it is rather a “come if you want” place, and parking is right outside the door where an old van is still standing as if it were part of the exhibition.
For those looking for a little nostalgia, there is Crane Cemeterya cemetery that has more stories to tell than some novel. I once discovered a gravestone there, where a true crèche was standing in a sweeping scripture – a hint that the inhabitants of Crane never lost their humor. The cemetery is located at the edge of the city, and parking is practical because you can simply turn off in the small field next to the entrance, as long as you don't choose the weekend when the families visit their ancestors.
Finally, I must not forget the Crane Attractions to mention that you can simply overlook because they seem too everyday: the old water mill on the outskirts of the city, which still snares quietly, and the small café “The Grain Bin”, which opened only Thursday and served the best homemade apple cake there – no joke, that’s really a piece of heaven on a plate. So next time you drive through Indiana, stop, surprise yourself with the little peculiarities of this city and enjoy the feeling that not everything must be perfect to be great.
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