Honestly, if you're looking for Coalmont attractions, you have to understand that the town is more a relic from the coal era than a leisure park. Founded in the late 1860s, Coalmont grew thanks to the coal mines that formed the backbone of Lewis Township and the entire Clay County. Today the village is a silent witness of this industrial splendour, and I find it somehow charming – almost like an open history book that can be entered with your feet.
I came here because I took Highway 40 from Indianapolis, a short detour from I‐70, and suddenly I stood in front of a street that has more fields than asphalt. The small railway station, which once was the backbone of freight transport, is now a meeting place for locals who drink their morning coffee and swamp over the “good old times”. No joke, this is the place where you feel the real Indiana – not the tourist traps, but the rough, honest life.
A short stop at the local diner, which still serves the same pancakes as a hundred years ago, is almost a must for me. And while you're here, take a look at the old signs on the highway – this is for me the real highlight among the Coalmont sights, because it shows that history doesn't always have to be hidden in museums, but is right in front of your nose.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the sparkling water of Patoka Lakeonly half an hour drive from Coalmont. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the whole hype about “Lake Life” – the water is not particularly clear, and the boats look like they never left the 80s – but fishing in the early morning is a real highlight, and parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don’t get around the weekend with the families.
A short detour to the south leads to Hoosier National Forest, a forest that has more trees than any city in Indiana can count its inhabitants. I tried one of the little known trails there, which leads through old oaks and a small stream that almost never crosses the shores. The path is well marked, and parking on the trailhead is practically free – a small comfort when you sit in the car after a long day.
If you have enough of nature, the historical corydone A must. The old capital of Indiana has a charming city center that offers more than just a few old wooden houses. I crashed into the small museum, which tells the story of the first state government, and was surprised how little visitors are there – that means that you can admire the originals without being crowded by tourist crowds. A small note: The parking spaces behind the town hall are often empty, except on Sundays when the local church hosts a picnic.
A couple of miles further Lincoln State Parkwhere Abraham Lincoln spent his youth years. I visited the visitor centre there and read a little bit about its time as a lumberjack – a bit cheesy, but the trails through the forests are really beautiful. The park has several picnic areas, and parking is usually easy as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime at the weekend, then it can be tight.
For those who prefer climbing than walking, is Shades State Park the right address. The limestone rocks and the shaded canyons are a real eye-catcher, and I made a small climbing area with a few locals there. The entrance is free, and parking is a bit tricky – you have to walk up the hill a few meters to find a place, but this is part of the adventure.
Another highlight for cyclists among us is the Indian Rail Trail, which slings through the rural Indiana and leads past many small villages. I tried the route from Coalmont to Brazil (Indiana), and the view of fields and old barns is almost hypnotic. The trailhead parking is usually empty except on sunny Saturdays when the local families unpack their bikes.
Whether you prefer the quiet stroller of Patoka Lake, the dense forests of the Hoosier National Forest, the historic streets of Corydon, the rural idyll of Lincoln State Park, the rocky paths of Shades State Park or the endless kilometers of the Indiana Rail Trail – the surroundings of Coalmont offer something for every taste. And that's exactly what makes Coalmont Attractions to an underestimated treasure in the heart of Indiana.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Coalmont is not some hip bar, but the Coalmont United Methodist Church – a small brick building that has dominated the cityscape since the 1920s. When you arrive there for the first time, you will be greeted by the simple, almost rustless facade, but which contains surprisingly well preserved stained glass windows inside. I tried a Sunday service microphone there once – the echo was so strong that I almost thought I was in a cathedral, not in a village that has hardly more than a few dozen houses. Parking is usually easy, a small farm behind the nave is completely enough as long as you are not there on the first Sunday in June, then this becomes a real crowd.
Directly next to the church, Coalmont Cemeterya cemetery that has more stories to tell than some guides. I once discovered an old tombstone, where “John Doe, 1889‐1912, Coal Miner” stood in a weak engraving – a silent witness of the former mining era. The way to the cemetery is a narrow gravel path covered in autumn by colorful leaves; a perfect place for a bit of melancholic photography if you do not want to be blinded by the sun. There are no official toilets, so better to drink a sip of water beforehand.
A short walk leads you to Coalmont Community Park, a tiny green piece that has more playground equipment than green space. I put my niece there for the first time on the shaky swings and she laughed loudly while I wondered if this is really the highlight for tourists. The park has a small picnic table, and parking is practically directly at the edge where an old wood shed stands – an ideal place to eat a sandwich while watching the local dog sprinting over the playground.
If you want to make a little more story, look at it. old Coalmont Elementary School Building on. The classroom has not been in operation since the 1970s, but the walls are still covered with faded chalkboards that still bear the names of previous students. I once found a forgotten classbook that dates back to 1965 – a real treasure for nostalgics. The grounds are surrounded by a small parking lot, but on Friday night it is used by the local youth as a meeting place, so be ready for a little loud music.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Coalmont Volunteer Fire Department. The red building with the large, slightly sloping shield is not only a symbol of the community spirit, but also houses a small museum with old firefighters and a sophisticated extinguishing vehicle. I took part in an open door where I could even climb behind the wheel of an old fire truck – no joke, the thing still has the original siren sound. Parking is available directly in front of the building, but only if you don't miss the weekly barbecue, which takes place there every second Saturday.
And because I must not forget everything: Coalmont Attractions can best be explored on foot because the village is so small that after visiting the church, the cemetery and the park you are practically back at the beginning. I tried this once, while at the same time I tried to shoot a photo of a passing tractor – the result was a sharp picture, but the memory remains. So, next time you drive through Indiana, stop short, grab a few snacks from the local mini supermarket and let you surprise yourself from this inconspicuous spot of earth – it has more charm than you would suspect at first sight.
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