Honestly, if you think Austin is just a slept spot in the heart of Indiana, then you've ruined the story: Founded in 1855, the little town grew thanks to the railway line that cut through the picturesque Jennings Township, and quickly became the commercial hub of Scott County. I feel that the old brick houses are still whispering, as the founders planted their dreams in the dusty soil, while modernity is passing around the corner with a highway parking space today â a bit like a movie where the intro is too loud, but the actual story still captivates.
When you arrive here, take the train to Indianapolis and then take the bus that takes you directly to the center of Austin; that is faster than trying to to torment your own car through the field paths. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual county festivals, but the small cafĂ© on Main Street, which I visit almost daily, serves the best apple cake I've ever tasted â no joke, that's almost a local cult. And yes, if you googlest after âAustin Sightsâ, you will quickly realize that the true highlight is not a museum, but the feeling of strolling through the silent avenues and feeling that history and the present are rich here without anyone shouting loudly.
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The first place I recommend for a spontaneous detour is the imposing Scottsburg Courthouse â a stone monument dating back to the 1870s, which runs over the main road of Scottsburg and almost looks a bit overridden as if it wanted to tell every visitor that history consists not only of dusty books, but of tangible marble columns. I once experienced a rainstorm that drummed the roof so loud that I almost had the feeling that the building itself would protest â but parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Friday night after a local football game, then the field becomes a battle.
A short detour to the south leads you to Scott County Historical Museum, a small but fine building that reveals more about the local industry and railway history than one would expect from a museum in a small town. I remember how I touched an old, crunching car wheel there and suddenly the picture of a young man appeared before my inner eye, who first entered the rails in 1902. The entrance is free, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you would be a long-term friend, not a tourist.
If you have enough of concrete and dust, take a look at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. The area is about 30 minutes east of Austin and offers a surprisingly wide range of bird species â I have seen a rare pebbly there, while I tried to throw out my fishing, just to realize that the water is more suitable for ducks than for pike. The visitor centre is small, but the trails are well marked; a little hint: parking is often full on weekends, so be there early.
Another natural jewel I cannot conceal is that Hoosier National Forest. The forest is a bit south-west, but the ride through the gentle hills of Indiana is an experience for itself. I spent a weekend in a rustic hut that barely offered more than one bed, a wood stove and a window overlooking the dense green â perfect to escape the urban noise. The trails range from cozy walks to challenging trails, and parking at the main entrances is usually easy as long as you don't get to the high season.
For those who prefer to relax on the water, is Austin an underestimated paradise. The lake is located practically behind the village and offers a quiet oasis both to Angles and families with children. I once made a small picnic on the shore, while an older gentleman told me that he fished here since his childhood and still preferred the same place. The boat dock is well maintained, and parking is mostly free, except on hot summer days when the locals take their boats out.
A little further, about an hour away, this is Lincoln State Park. The park is famous for Abraham Lincoln working here as a young man as a lumberjack â a fact that I experienced during a guided tour of the visitor center, while I tried not to stumble over the many mosquitoes that seem to lead a life there. The trails lead to picturesque waterfalls, and the campground is well equipped, where parking for campers can be a little tricky when all places are occupied.
Last but not least a historical highlight, which is often overlooked: Corydon Battlefield State Park. The place where the famous Battle of Tippecanoe took place in 1811 is about 45 minutes south and offers a small museum as well as a monument reminiscent of events. I once made a picnic there, while an older veteran told me that he buried his ancestors near the battlefield â a moment that suddenly made history more tangible. The park area is extensive, parking is sufficient, and the paths are well signposted.
Whether you are looking for historical depth, nature experiences or a quiet lake â the environment of Austin, Jennings Township, Scott, Indiana has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. These Austin sights show that even a small place in the Middle West is full of surprising stories and hidden treasures.
I have to admit right at the beginning that I always start the first stop in Austin with a slightly spidy grin: Austin Town Hall and the old prison cell. The building is in the heart of the little town, a red brick house that has more stories to tell than most guides would ever admit. I once visited a city meeting night there, and while the mayor was swooping over the latest garbage collection initiative, a squirrel swept through the open window and came across the bench. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem â then cars like boomerangs are in circles.
A short walk further leads you to Austin Historic Districtwhere the old shop fronts from the 19. The century still exudes the charm that one expects from a âauthenticâ small cityscape. I don't quite understand the hype about Instagram photos of weathered wooden plates, but the fact that there is still an original coffee steamer from the 1920s in the shop window is a real plus point for me. The road is narrow, so go on foot â this saves you the eternal horn of the local tractors, which still occasionally stroll around here.
If you're looking for a place where you can recover from the noise of the road, then this is Austin Public Library That's right. I once borrowed a book about the history of Jennings County, and the librarian offered me a homemade muffin â no joke, that was the best service upgrade I've ever experienced. The library has free Wi-Fi, and parking right in front of the building is almost always free as long as you are not there with the school children at noon.
A bit further north Austin Community Park, a small but fine piece of green space, which is lovingly called âplaceâ by the locals. Here there is a baseball field, a playground and a few benches that are perfect for people. I once experienced a local summer festival where a tractor train band brought the crowd to dance â that was an image I will never forget. When you arrive by car, make sure you don't drive into the âKidsâOnlyâ zone; the shield is small, but the entrance is wide enough to confuse you.
Another highlight I always mention is the Austin Water Tower. The rusty colossus from the 1930s extends over the main road and is a popular photo motif for those who like to pose with the phone. I once made a picnic there because I thought that was a romantic place â that was not it, but the view of the surrounding fields was at least âreal greatâ. Access is free, but the terrain is not really suitable for children, so keep an eye on the little ones.
For those who want to make a little more culture, there is Jennings County Historical Society Museum â yes, this is technically in Vernon, but it is just a cat jump from Austin and definitely worth a detour. I saw an exhibition on the regional railway history there, and that was the only time I volunteered to touch an old rail model. The museum has a small parking space behind the building, which is usually empty as long as you are not there on the first Saturday of the month when the âOld-Timer Clubâ meetings take place.
Finally, a little secret tip I almost always keep for me: the Austin Farmers Market on the first Saturday a month. Here the farmers from the area sell fresh vegetables, honey and sometimes even homemade jams, which you will find nowhere else. I bought a pumpkin there that was so big that I hardly got it through the door â that was a real âI-hab-mich-over-head-fallâ moment, but the neighbors helped me carry it. The market is freely accessible, and parking is usually without problems at the edge of the square as long as you do not arrive with the tractor.
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