Cedar Grove attractions attract me every time I look for a short trip from the hustle and bustle of Indianapolis, and this is not without reason: This small village, which was founded in 1828 as part of the then wild Indiana territory, has more charm than some big city centers. I've always wondered why the early settlers chose a name for an inconspicuous tree, but the story tells about a small community that took place in the 19th century. The century around the agriculture sharted and later, thanks to the railway line that drove through Highland Township in 1869, got a bit of recovery. Today, Cedar Grove is conveniently located in the heart of Franklin, the County Seeat of Johnson County, and can be reached by car in about 30 minutes via I‐65 – a short trip if you don't like the traffic jam on the highway.
To be honest, the real highlight is not some overrated café, but the quiet corners I keep discovering: an old shed house that still carries the echo of the first harvesting seasons, and a small cemetery where the founders rest in simple tombstones – this is the true “Cedar Grove Sighting” experience for me. When you arrive by train, just get off to Franklin and take the local bus no. 12; he stops right in front of the main road, where you can walk along the road without running. I don't quite understand the hype around the big amusement parks, but here, between the fields and the old wooden houses, I find the real Indiana – a bit rough, a bit romantic and definitely not overlooked.
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The first stop I put to every newman's heart is Brookville Lake, a 5,000 hectare of water, which extends only about 20 minutes south of Cedar Grove. I once tried to catch the dawn with a kayaking – the result was a wet but happy day because the water was so clear that you could almost count the fish. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small parking lot turns into a battlefield of caravans and picnic blankets.
A few miles away Whitewater Memorial State Park, a place I like to call the green lung of the region, although that sounds a bit cheesy. The park offers hiking trails that lead through gentle hills and dense forests – perfect if you want to get your head free after a long working day. I remember an afternoon that I lost myself on the trail “Hickory Ridge” and came back to the right path only after half an hour thanks to a friendly ranger. The view from the view tower is not exactly spectacular, but the noise of the creek beneath it is soothing.
If you are looking for the feeling of “adventure in the backyard”, that is Hoosier National Forest That's right. The section around the Pine Ridge Trail is just about 30 minutes from Cedar Grove and offers a network of hiking and mountain biking trails that swell through pristine oak forests. I started a spontaneous photo competition there with a few locals – the result was a bunch of unsharp pictures, but the mood was unpaid. Note: In autumn, the foliage can make the paths slippery, i.e. pack in solid footwear.
A short trip to Brookville brings you to Brookville Covered Bridge, one of the few covered bridges in the state. The bridge is not only a photo motif, but also a piece of lively history that is still used by local farmers. I once organized a picnic with my neighbor, and we were almost completely displaced by a group of ducks – a classic Indiana experience.
Right next to the bridge lies the charming Historic Downtown Brookville, which with its small shops and the old railway museum looks a bit like a miniature olive west, only without the dusty streets. I bought a handmade wooden toy that is now in my living room and every time I make a smile when I walk past it. Most shops close early, so better to look past the late afternoon when the sun dips the headstone pavement into a warm gold.
Finally, a secret tip that hardly anyone mentions: Blue River, a small but clear river flowing through the southern Highland Township. I once tried to row with a self-built fin – the result was a short but spectacular fall into the cool wet, followed by a loud laugh of my companion. Access is free, and a small wooden ridge at the end of the County Road 12 offers a perfect place to relax as long as you are not disturbed by the anglers with their loud calls.
Whether you are looking for a quiet lake, a forest adventure or a hint of history, the surroundings of Cedar Grove have something to offer for everyone – and all this without the crowded tourist crowds found in the larger cities. This selection Cedar Grove Attractions shows that the surrounding area has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. Pack your hiking boots, don't forget the umbrella and enjoy the mix of nature, history and a bit of local irony that makes this region so unique.
I must confess at the beginning that my heart for the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church not because it is architecturally a miracle work (it is, but that is not the essential), but because it is the living center of this sleepy spot in the Highland Township. I was there on a rainy Sunday when I hid myself in the back rows to watch the piano that was more snaring than an old farmhouse. The church was small, but the warmth was real; Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly flea market spectacle will begin.
A short walk down the street leads you to Cedar Grove School, a red brick building that has served as a classroom since 1905 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. I remember holding a picnic there as a child – the roof was so flat that I almost felt I could fly with the birds when I was exhausting enough. Today, the building is a museum of local history, and although the exhibitions are not exactly interactive, you can feel the pride of the city dwellers when they show the old school boards.
If you're looking for a place where you can deal with the transience a little, that's what you're looking for. Cedar Grove Cemetery That's right. It is not the most romantic cemetery image you can imagine – rather a quiet owl with weathered tombstones that tell stories about families who have lived here for generations. I once found an old veteran whose name I no longer know, but the image of his medal reminded me that even in this inconspicuous place is a piece of American history.
Another highlight I always mention is that Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Yes, a firehouse doesn't sound like a tourist magnet, but here the locals meet for barbecues, and the building serves as a community center at the same time. I took part in a BBQ with the volunteers in a summer evening – the food was not just gourmet, but the laughing and the stories about lost cows that stuck in the barns were unpaid. Parking is available directly in front of the building, and the sign “Free entrance” applies here literally.
for a little green area Cedar Grove Park, a small but well maintained place with a playground that has more rusty chains than modern climbing stands. I saw my niece sitting there for the first time on a swing while I tried to start the old carousel – the result was a squeaking sound that alerted the whole neighborhood. Nevertheless, it is a nice place to make a picnic, and parking is right at the edge of the park where you almost never find your car again because the kids cover it with sand.
And because I don't just want to list sights, but want to give you a real picture of Cedar Grove, here is a little hint: if you googlest to “Cedar Grove Sights”, you will quickly notice that most visitors mention the church, the old school building and the cemetery. I don't understand the hype around the school building, but the small café next to the fire department store that I call "The Rusty Mug" is fantastic – her homemade apple cake is not a joke, and the staff knows you by name as soon as you swing the second time.
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