Honestly, if you think Indiana is just corn fields and highway races, you haven't seen Crothersville yet. The city, founded in 1853 and named after the local postmaster John Crothers, is embedded in the tranquil Vernon Township of Jackson County – a piece that has more history than one would suspect at first sight. I remember driving the train from Indianapolis over the endless fields the rats of the rails almost like a metronome for the time that seems slower here.
The charm lies not in noisy attractions, but in the quiet pulse of the municipality: the old town hall, which still beats the heart of the city, and the venerable St. John's church, whose bells have awakened the village for over a century. I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here, between the old brick houses and the small but fine city park, you suddenly feel part of a story that is still written.
A short trip to Vernon Township leads you to a few hidden places that I like to call “secret corners” – an old millstone on the river, an abandoned barn field, which in autumn offers a game of colors that even Instagram cannot catch. And yes, if you are looking for “Crothersville Sights”, you will find that the true highlight is the authentic, slightly cynical smile of the locals, which is already a bit confused at the first “welcome” but immediately welcome. If you arrive by car, you can take Route 62, which leads you directly to the heart of the little paradise – no joke, that is really a place you have to feel easy.
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The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Hoosier National Forest – a huge green piece that spreads south of Crothersville and offers more than just a few trees. I spent half a day there with my old mountain bike, and that was no joke: the trails are so well maintained that you almost feel they would be specially designed for me. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole family comes out of the circle to make barbecue and ignite campfire. The forest is not only a paradise for cyclists, but also for hikers who want to enjoy the view of the Muscatatuck River – a river that swells through the area and invites you to canoe in summer.
If you have enough of the trees, the path continues to lead me seymourwhere the Indiana Railway Museum wait. I have to admit, I was skeptical if a museum can really be exciting about old trains, but the lovingly restored locomotives and the possibility of making a short trip on a historic narrow-track track have completely knocked me around. The staff is a little lazy, but it fits the charm of the place. A small car park right in front of the museum is almost always free as long as you do not come to the main event on the first Saturday a month – then the whole becomes a mini festival.
A short trip after Brownstown to the Jackson County Courthouse, an impressive brick building from the 19th century Century, which today serves as a museum for local history. I took a lead there with a retired judge who told me anecdotes about court proceedings from the 1920s that had more drama than any Netflix series. The building is centrally located so you can easily find a parking space at the town hall, and the museum is free – a real bonus for asparagus.
A little further east, almost on the border to Brown County, this is Brown County State Park. Here the word “nature” becomes tangible. In autumn I experienced the colours that even the Instagram filters cannot imitate. The hiking trails are well signposted, and the visitor center offers maps that you don't need anymore if you just leave the instinct – this is my favorite way to hike. Parking is available on the main road, but in the high season it can be narrow, so it is better to be there early.
For those who prefer to relax on the water, is Patoka Lake the ideal address. I spent a weekend with my friend there, we fished, drove a little boat and roasted at the Marshmallows campfire in the evening. The lake is huge, and the fishing grounds are well distributed so that you rarely meet crowds. There are several public docks that are free, but the restaurant on the shore is a bit expensive – there are the best fish tacos in the area.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Jackson County Historical Museum in Seymour. I saw a special exhibition on the railway history of the region there, which reminded me why I came here at all. The museum is small, but the exhibits are lovingly presented, and the staff knows every story – this makes the visit a personal experience. Parking is possible directly in front of the building, and the whole thing is barrier-free, which I very much appreciate.
So next time you think about what you could do in the area of Crothersville, Vernon Township, Jackson, Indiana, remember: Crothersville Attractions are not only a few dusty tourist attractions, but a mix of nature, history and a bit of local nature that makes every visit a small adventure.
So, next time you climb over Highway 135, you have to stop at the old water tank – this is my personal top attraction in Crothersville. The tower projects like a rusty colossus over the fields, and I swear it has more character than some hipster café in Chicago. I've made countless selfies there because the light around the dusk is just perfect, and parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't hang around with the whole city on Saturday night.
Right next to the tower Crothersville Public Library, a small but fine building that has more to offer than one would expect from a library in a small town. I once borrowed a book about local folklore and, by chance, found a board game called “Bingo with the Ahnen” by the locals – no joke, that is actually a thing here. The shelves are neat, the staff friendly, and the parking is practically right in front of the door if you don't just photograph the tower.
A short walk further leads you to City Parkwhere the kids release their energy in the baseball and football fields and the adults sunbathe on the few benches that are not occupied by mosquitoes. I once made a picnic with my neighbour, and we have argued about whether the annual barbecue is really so legendary – I think the food is okay, but the mood is the real highlight. There is a small playground, and parking is usually free, except when the local high school team has a game, then the cars stack like in a mini store.
If you want to swallow a bit of history, look at this Historical Society Museum located in the old bank building on Main Street. I don't understand the hype about old pigs, but the exhibition about the city's railway history is really fascinating – especially the original signal box model that still works. The museum is small, so you don't need to wait long, and parking is practically right in front of the entrance, because the building is on a small parking lot.
Another piece of local culture can be found in Community Center. There are regular yoga courses, bingo evenings, and occasionally a karaoke competition, where most participants sing more wrongly than a drunken elk. I visited a course there once because I thought I could improve my flexibility and instead reopened some old acquaintances who told me that the center is the heart of the city – and I mean literally that because the building is in the center.
A short detour to Railroad Depot is worthwhile if you are interested in mini mouses. The old station is barely more than a small shed, but inside there are pictures of steam locomotives that once shredded through the area. I found an old ticket there that was still valid – no joke, that was a real find. Parking is a bit tricky because the depot is on a small plot, but a short walk from Main Street is not a problem.
For those who like to admire a bit of architecture, this is Town Hall A must. The building from the 1920s has this almost cheesy but charming façade, which reminds you that some genuine decisions were made here. I once saw a meeting with the city council – that was a real insight into local politics, and I must admit that the discussions were sometimes more exciting than what you see on TV. Parking is available directly before, as long as you are not there at the same time as the monthly citizens forum.
Last but not least, if you are looking for a quiet place, go to Cemetery on the edge of the city. The gravestones tell stories from the 19th century. Century, and I once discovered an old veteran burial stone there, which had an amazingly well preserved inscription. It is a quiet place, ideal for a short moment of contemplation, and parking is practical because the terrain has a small parking lot that is rarely full.
All this together Crothersville Attractions to a small but fine mix of history, nature and local character. I could still scuba for hours, but I don't want to surprise you with too many details – you know how this is going: a short stop, a bit of amazement, and then continue to the next adventure.
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