Honestly, when I think of Medaryville, I immediately jump the picture of a small city from the 19th. The century in the head, which developed out of a tiny railway strike in 1852 – a bit like a forgotten chapter of the Indiana history, which suddenly reappears when you travel along the country roads. The whole is located in the White Post Township, embedded in the vast Pulaski County, and this is not without reason: The area used to be an important hub for cereal trade and livestock farming, and the old wooden houses, which still present the cityscape, tell about a time when life went even slower – at least until the first tractor rolled over the dusty main road. I don't quite understand the hype about the rural idyll, but that's exactly what makes the charm: you can get here by car from Indianapolis in about an hour and half over the State Road 16 without having to torment through endless traffic jams. As soon as you are in Medaryville, you can quickly see that the true Medaryville sights are not in brochures, but in conversations with the locals, the small cafes, which have more character than some big city hotels, and the silent fields that emit almost hypnotic gold in the summer. And that – these underestimated moments – is what I would put to the heart of every traveler looking for a little authenticity.
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The first stop is Tipecanoe River State Park, a piece of untouched nature, which is just a short drive north of Medaryville. I spent a weekend there, and the noise of the river is actually the loudest noise you hear here – apart from the occasional squeaking of the old wooden bridges that promise more charm than safety. The hiking trails are well marked, but be warned: parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the families from all over the region move.
A short trip to Winamac leads to Winamac Riverwalk. This narrow path along the Tippecanoe is less a walk and more a silent witness that the city tries to simulate a little urban flair. I watched a few locals fishing, who seemed to talk more about the weather than fishing itself – a real insight into the local serenity.
Just a few blocks on, hidden between an old bank and a mixed store, this is Pulaski County Historical Museum. The collection is a patch carpet of photos, old tools and an amazingly well-preserved tractor engine that seems to tell more stories than most city leaders. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1920s – a small treasure that makes the hard work of the region alive.
The Pulaski County Courthouse in Winamac is an imposing brick building that cannot be overlooked when you drive along the main road. The architecture is almost exaggerated, as the city wants to say: “We have history, and we know how to present it.” I once tried to take a picture while a courtroom was full of people, and the result was a confusing image of people who at the same time seemed serious and totally uninterested.
A little further west, almost on the border to Newton County, lies this Kentland Prairie State Nature Preserve. This prairie is a rare piece of unspoiled ecosystem in the Middle West, and what impressed me most was the feeling of standing in a time capsule. The grasses weigh in the wind, and the only thing that breaks through the silence is the occasional twisters of a pair of pigs. I spent a few hours there to just breathe – a luxury that you rarely find near Medaryville.
If you're ready to drive a little further south, you'll hit the Kankakee River State Park. The river is wider, the water clearer, and the campsites are so rustic that you almost feel in the 19th. century to stay. I remember an evening that I sat at the campfire and heard the clinker of the wood, while a few young people in the distance loudly “Next! One more piece!” cried – a perfect example of how nature and human drama come together.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Pulaski County Fairgrounds. During the annual fair, the site turns into a colorful mess of rides, local crafts stands and a lot of people who are fighting over the best maize bread. I once won a competition for the biggest pumpkin – a small victory that gave me the feeling of being a real part of the community.
Whether you are looking for quiet natural experiences, historical depth or a touch of local nature, the Medaryville area offers a surprisingly diverse range of experiences. These places show that there is more than one would suspect at first glance – and that is exactly what Medaryville Sights in power.
So, next time you stumble over Highway 41 and see the sign “Welcome to Medaryville”, don’t let the city’s simple silhouette deceive you – my personal favorite spot is that Medaryville Public Library. I mean, who needs a huge museum if you can find some rest in a small but charming building between the shelves? I once borrowed a book about the history of White Post Township, and while I was sitting in the reading room, I heard the quiet sum of an old air conditioning system that somehow underpainted the feeling of “authentic small town life” perfectly. Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturdays, when the library readers arrange a small uprising and occupy all places.
Right next to the library Medaryville Historical Society Museum, a place I only discovered after a lost walk, because I thought it was an old warehouse. Instead, I found a collection of photos showing how the city looked over a hundred years ago, including an amazingly well-preserved carriage I almost thought of as an art project. I don't always understand the hype about historical museums, but here you feel like you're going to browse through a lively family album. The museum does not have a large parking lot, so you have to walk a piece of what I like personally, because then I can better perceive the small alleys of Medaryville.
A short walk further leads to Medaryville Community Park. There is a playground, a small baseball field and a picnic area overrun by families in the summer. I once organized an improvised barbecue with a few locals – the result was a slightly burnt corn flask and a lot of laughs. The parking lot is open, and parking is practically directly at the entrance, as long as you don't come to the main playtime at the weekend, then the field will quickly become the parking lot for the whole city.
If you drive a little further north, you'll hit the White Post Township Park. This is not what one expects from a “park” – rather an open field with a few benches and a small lake that is populated by ducks in the autumn. I spent a few hours there to just enjoy the silence, while an older gentleman unpacked his fishing gear next to me and told me he was catching here since 1975. Access is over an unconsolidated road, so a bit of adventure, but that makes the charm.
Another must is the St. John Lutheran Church, a historical church that has shaped the cityscape for over a century. I was there at a concert organized by the municipality – a choir from seniors who sang old hymns, and I had to admit that the whole thing was quite grabbing, although I'm not usually so easy to tear. The church has a small parking lot behind the building, and parking is almost always easy as long as you don't come to the Sunday fair, then the field outside the door becomes the collecting place for cars.
For those looking for a bit of shopping, there is the Medaryville Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm on the city square. Here are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and Mrs. Henderson's infamous apple cake, which I try every time because it's just too good to miss it. The market is a real meeting place, and parking is usually sufficient thanks to the surrounding shops – only on particularly hot summer days, it can become narrow if everyone wants to sell their carrots at the same time.
A little off the main road lies the Medaryville Water Towera red landmark that can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. I took a picture there that now hangs in my living room, because the picture simply captures the “heart” of Medaryville – a bit rustic, a bit proud. There is no official parking, but a small field path leads you close enough to admire the building without having to remove your car too far from the asphalt.
Last but not least, White Post Township Cemetery Forget that is not the first thing you think about when traveling, but for me it is a quiet place where the history of the city is literally chiseled in stone. I once found an old tomb that wore the name of my great-grandfather – a strange but beautiful feeling connected to the city. The cemetery is located on the edge of Medaryville, parking is possible directly at the entrance, and the whole area is well maintained so that you can really take time to think.
So if you're looking for Medaryville attractions that don't just look out of the car, take the time to discover these little treasures – they're what makes this city a surprisingly lively place for me.
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