Collegeville Sights are for me a thought rather than a fixed goal, because the whole village looks a bit like a forgotten chapter in a history book that I like to read loudly while traveling with a friend in the car through the flat fields of Marion Township. The settlement was built in the middle of the 19th century. The century when the railroad crossed the area and an ambitious founder hoped to build a college here â the project was rotting faster than my hope that every little town has a hipster cafĂ©. Nevertheless, the village has kept its charm, and this is not only due to the old brick houses, but also to the fact that it is located in the heart of Dubois County, right next to Jasper, which with its lively downtown almost already acts as a counter pole.
I usually drive over USâ231 and State Road 64, because the fastest route is from Indianapolis, and if I'm honest, driving through the wide grain fields is almost therapeutic. In Collegeville there is no exaggerated tourist crowd, but there are some hidden corners I love: an old shed that now serves as an art gallery, and a small cemetery where the tombs of the first pioneers are still disguised by wild roses. I don't quite understand the hype about big museums, but the quiet moments here next to the old station are the real highlight for me â no joke, that's pure Indiana authenticity. And yes, if you're looking for collegeville attractions, you just have to go and discover the silence yourself.
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The first place I put to each newbie is that Patoka Lake, a huge reservoir, which nests around 20 km north of Collegeville into the landscape like an oversized mirror. I rented a small boat there once at sunset, more quiet than an old diesel, and yet the picture of glittering water over the trees was magical. Parking is usually a Klacks â a large parking lot right on the beach, but on Saturday night, when the anglers and families move on with barbecue equipment, it can become a small mess. If you like fishing, you will find more than enough spots here, and the trails around the lake are well developed, so that you can still stand your legs after a day in the water.
A short detour to the south leads to Hoosier National Forest, a forest area that is not necessarily linked to Indiana, but here there is actually real, untouched nature. I tried the Trail of the Pines â a 12-km loop that leads through dense jaws and small streams. The way is not too demanding, but the silence is almost scary when you suddenly hear the rustling of a roe. Parking at the Trailhead is free, but there are only a few places, so better be there early before the families show up with picnic baskets.
Only a few kilometers further Patoka River National Wildlife Refugea paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers. I was there in autumn when the geese moved over the sky in V-Formation â a sight that almost made me forget that I was actually looking for a quiet place to test my camera. Access is via a small, unconsolidated path that becomes a muddy challenge in the summer of rain, but this is part of the charm. There is a visitor centre with information, but the real highlight is watching the local species, from the redfish to the rare black-necked diver.
Back to the city, but not directly to the center, my way to the Jasper County Historical Museum. The building itself is an old restored mansion that has more stories to tell than you could read in a day. I remember how I discovered an old Tractor-Exponat there as a child, which still blew the smell of old oil â a fragrance that immediately awakens nostalgia. The museum is free, and parking is right in front of the entrance, but there are few places, so better get a few minutes earlier if you don't want to park in the circle.
Another highlight I have to put to everyone is the Jasper County Fairgrounds. The annual County Fair in August is a colorful mess of rides, local crafts and a lot of corn-pistons that you just have to taste. I once ate a piece of freshly grilled pork that was so tender that it would almost have fallen from the plate. The approach is uncomplicated â a large car park directly at the main entrance, but on the main day there can be a regular traffic jam, because the visitor numbers blow the capacity.
For those looking for a little adrenaline, the Jasper County Speedway A must. The dragstrip is just outside, but the ride is worth it because you hear the moaning of engines that lets you hit your heart faster. I was there on a Friday night when a local racer set up a new record â the audience cheered, and I was in the first row because I couldn't afford a better place. Parking is at the edge of the grounds, and there are plenty of places as long as you don't get too late, because the fans come in crowds as soon as the race starts.
An architectural gem that is often overlooked is that Jasper County Courthouse. The impressive brick building from the 19th century Centuries in the centre of Jasper and offers an impressive façade that should not be missed during a walk through the city. I took part in a guided tour where an elderly man from the city told the history of court negotiations â a bit dry, but the details about the old wooden stairs and the original glass windows were fascinating. Parking is right in front of the building, but there are only a few places, so better to be there a few minutes earlier.
When exploring the surroundings of Collegeville, you can quickly discover that the region has more to offer than just the small streets of the city. From the quiet waters of Patoka Lake to the woody paths of the Hoosier National Forest to the lively events on the Jasper County Fairgrounds â there is something for every taste. And this diversity makes the Collegeville Attractions to a surprisingly rich experience you should not miss.
I have to admit right at the beginning that I was never a big fan of âMust-see listsâ â but when I tell my buddy of Collegeville where he must go, I always start with the Collegeville Community Park because this is the only green piece that is not surrounded by corn fields. The small lake there is not exactly a crystal clear Alpine lake, but in the summer it creates a beautiful mirror image of the old barn, which has been serving as a camp for the local fire team since the 70s. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, as it becomes a real problem, because then the whole high-school band unpacks its barbecue snack.
A short walk further (I mean, a few blocks, not the marathon that some tourists plan here) Collegeville United Methodist Church. I don't quite understand the hype about church architecture, but the cracking wooden benches and the bright red church window have something unpredictable that reminds me every time of the good old Sunday afternoons when I secretly tried the organ as a child. The pastor always lets you taste a piece of cake when you ask â no joke, this is almost a tradition here.
If you are interested in history (and I do because I like to read old tombstones), then the Collegeville Cemetery A must. The tombstones tell stories about families that have been here since the 19th. The oldest monument is a simple, weathered piece of granite from 1882. I once found an old veterans, whose name I no longer know, but the inscription âHere rests a man who had more patience than the city administrationâ has brought me to a sneak â this is the local humour that you find everywhere.
A bit further north, almost on the edge of the village, this is Collegeville Grain Elevator. This is not exactly a museum, but the massive wooden frame that has been storing the grain of the surroundings since the 1950s is a real photo magnet. I shot a photo there that was later celebrated in a local blog as a âsymbol for Marion Townshipâs unwavering working moraleâ. If you're lucky, you'll see the elevator in operation, otherwise he'll just stand there and make a little noise that reminds of old tractors.
A short trip over the Mississinewa River Bridge leads you to Collegeville Bridge, an inconspicuous steel carrier bridge, which is almost a landmark for the locals. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, because we thought that was romantic â the water was plowing, a few ducks swooping past, and suddenly a tractor came by and blew as if he wanted to tell us that we can't camp here. Nevertheless, the view of the river is really beautiful, especially in autumn, when the foliage dives the bridge into a red and golden color play.
A bit further south, almost on the edge of the actual Collegeville, is the Collegeville Fire Department. I spent a day with the firefighters there, because I thought a little âactionâ would be cool. The guys showed me how to roll a hose, and I was even allowed to test the old inflatable â that was a bit like a mini-rafting experience, only without speeds. The boss then gave me a self-made âthank you-for-deine-visitâ t-shirt that I wear until today when I walk around the city.
And yes, I have the tag Collegeville Attractions in my head, because I keep thinking about how little tourists are looking around here. But that's just the beauty: You can almost discover everything alone without a guide whispering you constantly into the ear where you have to go next. I mean, next time you're in Marion Township, grab a bike, drive to the park, look at the church, take a trip to the cemetery, and don't forget to photograph the old grain silo â that's my personal top list, and I promise you you won't be disappointed as long as you bring a bit of patience and a sense of inconspicuousness.
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