Honestly, when I think of the history of Dugger, I immediately see the year 1901 when the city blossomed to the small industrial centre thanks to the coal mines and the railway line that cut through the Cass Township – a bit like a rough diamond lying in the dust. My grandparents told me that the first settlers came from Ohio to order the fertile land in Sullivan County, and that the whole area was formerly known as “Cass” before the name Dugger, in honor of the rail magnat William Dugger, won the upper hand. I don't understand the hype about the old mining tradition, but the crunching flair of the old warehouses next to Main Street is really great, especially when you arrive by car over the State Road 54 and hear the silent humping of the tractors in the background. If you arrive by train, you can switch to Sullivan and then take the short bus to Dugger – practical if you don't want to spend the whole day in the car. And yes, if you ask yourself what you can see here at all, don't let the usual guides fool you: The true Dugger sights are located in the quiet alleys, the friendly faces in the local diner and the unfaithful charm you can only find if you really explore the city on foot.
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The first stop I put to every newbie is Patoka Lake – a huge, glittering mirror that stretches over 8 000 hectares and attracts more anglers than a whole weekend in the city. I once tried to overwhelm a pike, just to find that the water at sunset invites to dream rather than fish. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the families move with their caravans.
A short trip to the Hoosier National Forest lets you feel the real wilderness that Indiana sometimes seems to hide. The Trail of Tears – not to be confused with the historical path, but a local hiking path leading through dense jaws and moss-covered stones – is my personal favorite section. I've been watching a squirrel that bravely plucked a nut out of my backpack while I was trying to shoot a photo. Those who do not like this can still rest at the well-signed picnic places; the weather is almost always playful there because the treetops donate a bit of shadow.
Only half an hour further lies Shades State Park, a place I like to call “Indiana’s Little Yosemite” – a bit exaggerated, but the sandstone rocks and the narrow gorges really have something magical. The Rim Trail is a bit exhausting, but the view over the valley is worth it; I once saw a small town from a distance, which could hardly be removed from the trees. For those who do not want to run so much, there is a short roundabout to Lake Wavelandwhere you can relax a bit without having to set up a tent.
If you feel that you have enough of rolling hills, then Turkey Run State Park is the counterpart that surprises you with its deep canyons and the falling Sugar Creek. I rented a canoe there and I paddledled down the river, while a swarm ran over us – a picture I still see in my head when I think of everyday life. The car park is small, so better be there early, otherwise you have to park at the edge and run a piece, which is for most a small price for the panorama.
There is a bit of culture in the Sullivan County Museum, located in the neighboring town of Sullivan. There old coal miners are hanging on the walls, and I even saw an original helmet from the 1930s, which still shines a little rusty. The museum is free, and parking is right in front of the entrance, which is ideal for spontaneous visits. Anyone interested in the history of the region should not miss the exhibition on the local railway – a small but fine insight into the industrial past.
Right next to the museum is the Coal Miners Memorial, a simple but impressive monument that honors the hard work of miners. I met an older gentleman there who told me that his grandfather worked there in the 1950s; the conversation has shown me how deep the mining tradition is rooted in the hearts of people. The monument is easy to find because it is located directly on the main road, and parking is practically always free.
A little further south, on the edge of the Patoka River, there is a small but fine section that is very popular with canoeing. I spent a few hours there, while the water went quietly to the shores and the sun broke through the trees. Access is simple: a small parking lot on the river bank, which is usually empty, unless a local fishing festival is in progress.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a little bit of both – the Dugger environment offers more than enough reasons to turn off the engine and let the soul budge. This selection Dugger Attractions shows that the small town is a perfect starting point for explorers who want to experience the real Indiana.
So, next time you land in the middle of Indiana and ask yourself if you couldn't land anywhere with more glamour and glamour, let me give you the Dugger Community Park introduce – my personal favorite place because it is the only piece of green that is not surrounded by a field path. I made a picnic there once, while a tractor in the background gave its morning moaning, and that was somehow the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. Parking is usually a Klacks, except Saturdays, when the whole city comes together to the weekly flea market and you suddenly find a parking lot as if you were in a Hollywood blockbuster.
A short walk further (and yes, this is a walk, not a marathon) leads you to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The building is a real relic from the 1900s, with a stone facade that has more stories to tell than most guides. I don't quite understand the hype about old churches, but here the organ game on a Sunday morning was almost as good as my favorite jazz album – and that's not an exaggeration. If you're lucky, you can hear the little bell game that only sounds at special occasions; Otherwise you have to enjoy the quiet sum of the heating.
Directly next to the church, Dugger Public Librarya place where I spent more time than I would like to admit. The shelves are full of local history books that you would probably never read, but they give you the feeling of being a real Indiana expert. I once found an old city map showing that Dugger used to be an important hub for the railway – a fact that I now mention at every pub to impress. Wi-Fi is not the fastest, but this is the special thing: you can finally recover from the constant online availability.
If you’re looking for something more “industrial charms”, look at this Dugger Fire Department Museum on. Yes, you have read correctly – a museum operated by the local fire brigade and exhibits old extinguishing vehicles that look like they come directly from a Western film. I found an old, rusty hose there, which was supposed to be still in use when the city was still made of wood. This is not only a piece of history, but also a perfect place for an Instagram photo, which you can then post with the hashtag #FirefighterLife while wondering why you are here at all.
A bit further down the main road, almost unnoticed, this is Dugger Town Hall, a building that offers more administrative burden than landmark, but still worth a visit because it beats the heart of the city. I once participated in a public meeting discussing the new garbage collection – a topic that has tied me more than any Hollywood premiere. The courtyard has a few old benches where you can rest while you think about why you've even gone to such a small town.
For those looking for a little nostalgia, there is Dugger Cemetery. Not exactly what you would call “a landmark”, but the old tombstones tell stories you wouldn’t find in any guide. I discovered a gravestone that dates back to 1912 and bears the name “Earl J. Miller” – a hint that once a real pioneer has lived here who probably knew more about life than I did. The terrain is well maintained, and parking is right next to the entrance, so no stress.
And because I don't just want to list historical sites, I still have to Dugger Diner mention the only restaurant that really has a name here. The portions are huge, the food is honestly not just gourmet, but the breakfast bacon is so crispy that you almost forget that you are in a small town that otherwise only consists of fields and a few old buildings. I once got a coffee there that was stronger than my last relationship test – and that wants to be something.
If you think I'm just a little bit about the Dugger Attractions swept, then you're right: I've listed my favorite places because I think that just what's missing here is a little honest, slightly cynical comment. So, grab your suitcases, bring some patience and don't forget that the real adventure is to discover the everyday – and this is definitely possible in Dugger.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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