Lyon's sights are more than a few dusty shields for me – they are the result of a small town that was born in 1830 as a “Lyons Station” on the railway line and has since developed a unique flair in Washington Township, Greene County, Indiana. Honestly, the story here is not of glittering castles, but of peasants who ran their harvest on the weekly market and of a post that still brought letters daily until 1905. I like to drive over State Road 54 because it leads me directly into the heart of the city, and when I park in the old main road section, I almost feel like a time traveler who wants to inhale the dust of 1900 – no joke, that's almost romantic. A short detour to nearby Lyons Cemetery lets me think about the generations who left their mark here; the gravestones tell more than any tourist book. And then there is the small café on the corner that I visit again and again, because the coffee is better there than what you find in the most “hipster” cities – really great if you appreciate the local charm. When you arrive by train, just get off in Bloomington and take the bus to Lyons; the ride is short, but the impressions remain.
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The old railway shed on the outskirts of Lyons, which today serves as a small viewpoint, is my favorite place to observe the driving of the road – and that, because I see the true “land life” here, not the tourist-inflated picture that you know from guides.
Only half an hour drive south lies Green County Historical Society Museum in Bloomfield. The building itself is a restored 19-century building that has more charm than any modern art gallery. I saw an old carriage there, which was actually just a decoration, but that was a nice reminder that used to be real people. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturdays, when the local school classes flood the museum with their excursions.
A short detour to the east leads directly into the Hoosier National Forest. The paths here are not exactly spectacular, but the “Trail of Tears Scenic Byway” offers a quiet strip of asphalt where you can hear the noise of the trees when you turn the radio quieter. I watched an erroneous squirrel there that sniffed courageously on my shoe – a small moment that shows that nature is not yet dominated by human hand.
A bit further north, almost on the border with Indiana’s “Cumberland” – so practically in the neighborhood – lies O'Bannon Woods State Park. The lake is clear enough to see the reflections of the trees, and the trails are well marked. I used the little visitor center to get me a map; Parking is free as long as you don't want to rent a boat on weekends, the field will be filled quickly. The cottages there are not luxurious, but after a long day in the forest a real comfort.
If you are already on the topic of water, you can Shakamak State Park do not leave. The park is about 35 miles north of Lyons and is famous for its three interconnected lakes. I rented a kayak there and siped over the lake, while a few young people on the shore shouted loudly “I love this place!” – a bit cheesy, but honestly, the water is really refreshing. The parking spaces are large, but on holidays there can be a small traffic jam, because the families move with picnic baskets.
Another highlight I didn't want to overlook is that Bloomfield Courthouse, an imposing building from 1861, which still serves as a courthouse. The architecture is a good example of Greek classicism, and the interior has a small museum that exhibits old court records. I saw an old Richterhammer there, which was almost as old as the building itself – a beautiful piece of history you don't find every day.
For those who like a bit of industrial culture, there is Lusk Home and Museum in neighbouring Turkey Run State Park. The property was once the home of Dr. William Lusk, one of the first doctors in the region, and today houses a collection of medical instruments from the 19th century. Century. I discovered an antique stethoscope that still worked there – at least sounded the sound it made when you put it on your chest, quite authentic.
Lyons may look small, but the environment offers a colorful mix of history, nature and a bit of local peculiarity that can surprise any modern traveler. So, Lyons attractions not only the city itself, but above all the surrounding attractions should keep in mind – they are the true heart of this region.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my favorite place in Lyons is not some hip-café, but the venerable one. Lyons Town Hall on Main Street – a brick building from the early 20th Century that has more stories to tell than many bestsellers. When you get there, you almost hear the click of the old wooden doors that have hardly moved for decades. I once tried to start a meeting there and was greeted by a retired mayor who told me that the town hall used to serve as a meeting place for the weekly cheese disc round. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole town flows to the “Lyons Farmers Market”.
The market itself is another of my Lyons attractionsthat I can hardly overvalue – not because he is the largest in the state (that would be a joke), but because he beats the true heart of the city. Every Saturday, when the sun is just over the Little Calumet River, the sidewalks fill themselves with stands that offer everything from homemade apples to handmade wooden toys. I once tried a piece of pumpkin cake there, which was so dry that I almost felt I had to buy a glass of water – but the saleswoman's smile immediately made it up again.
A short walk down Main Street leads you to Lyons Public Library. This is not some library, but a small, but fine refugium that I like to describe as a “steel oasis for stressed millennials”. The shelves are full of local history books, and the staff knows every visitor by name – this is almost scary when you ask yourself if you can ever really stay anonymous. I once borrowed a book about the history of the Indiana railway and almost forgot that I had actually only searched for a WLAN spot.
If you have enough of dusty shelves, look at this Lyons Historical Museum in the old school building from the 1920s. There are old class pictures that remind you that once children with drawers and trousers went to school. I remember how I found an old, rusty firefighter helmet there as a child – a relic that today is exhibited in the museum next to a collection of ancient light bulbs. The museum has no great numbers of visitors, so you can quietly browse the exhibitions while you ask why no one is using these old-fashioned light bulbs.
A bit further north, directly on the river, lies the Lyons Riverfront Park. I once made a picnic there, while a fisherman in the distance tried to overwhelm a carp that obviously refused to join. The park is small, but it offers a surprisingly good look at the Little Calumet, and the sound of flowing water is almost meditative – at least as long as you are not persecuted by a group of ducks that apparently defend their territory. There are a few benches that you can use for free, and parking is usually not a problem as long as you don’t come to the main event “Summer Festival”, then the field will quickly become a car park chaaos.
Another hidden jewel is that Lyons Community Center. I took part in a yoga course that was led by a former ballet dancer who spoke more about flexibility than expected in a gym. In addition to courses, the Center also offers a small event room where local bands occasionally occur – a real treat for those looking for authentic midwestern music without going all the way to Chicago.
Last but not least, Lyons Fire Department Museum do not forget, which is located in the old fire department store. There are a few antique extinguishing vehicles that look like they come directly from a Western film. I almost put myself in an old, crunchy inflatable boat there and was close to making an emergency call because I thought the thing could suddenly roll. The staff is super friendly and will be happy to explain why the old pumps still work better than some modern devices – a small but fine indication that tradition is still being held up here.
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