Honestly, if you think that “Hanover sights” are just another cliché from the Middle West, then you haven’t experienced the little jewel in the heart of Jefferson County. The city of Hanover, founded in 1832, grew from a modest border to a quirky agricultural centre, which today still breathes the charm of its pioneering period. I like to sit in the old town hall, which knows more stories than most guides, and imagine how the first settlers rolled out their carts here – a picture that makes me sneak every time I cross the modern highway 56, which leads like a red thread through the township.
A short trip by bus from Indianapolis (the line stops right in front of the historic central station) takes you to the village where you can walk between the half-timbered houses and the small but fine city park. I don't quite understand the hype about big cities, but here, between fields and the quiet sum of bees, I find a piece of real Indiana-ruhe. And yes, if you are looking for “Hanover Sights”, forget about the usual tourist traps – the true highlights are the people who live here, and the unsightly everyday life that you rarely find in guidebooks.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the imposing Jefferson‐County court in Madison – a brick building dating back to 1850, which has more stories to tell than one would expect in an average podcast. I spent a few minutes admiring the marble columns, while an older gentleman in a daunted suit whispered over the “good old time”; that was almost a live performance track I didn't want to miss.
The Madison Riverfront is just a stone's throw away from the Ohio River and the city is presented in a mix of industrial charm and historical elegance. I bought an ice cream from a small stand – not a gourmet ice cream, but a real classic that almost belongs to the duty in the summer – and then strolled along the promenade, while a few boats stroll around. The view of the old Lanier Mansion that thrones above the river is an image that I always have in mind, because it somehow captures the feeling of “lost splendour” perfectly.
A short detour to Clifty Falls State Park has catapulted me into a true natural laboratory. The waterfalls there are not exactly the largest, but the sharp rock walls and the dense green give you the feeling of standing in the middle of an Indiana-Western. I've tried the trail to the Upper Falls – a bit tedious, but that was the real adventure. An older couple I met on the go told me that they picnic here every year in spring; I thought it was a good argument to come back next summer.
A bit further south, almost in the direction where the word “Berge” is no longer connected to Indiana, is the Hoosier National Forest. I spent a few hours in the woods to win a little distance from the city's hustle and bustle. The trails are well marked, parking is usually uncomplicated, except during the weekends, when everyone suddenly shows up from the neighboring village. Once I even discovered a small brook that was so clear that I was almost trying to pull my shoes off and take a bath – a short but refreshing moment.
For those who like a little story with a shot of criminal romanticism, the John Dillinger Museum in Mooresville is a must. I have to admit I was skeptical because I thought it was just a small showroom for tourists, but the exhibition is surprisingly well curated. Original items, old newspaper articles and a few photos that show how the infamous bank robber once sneaks through the area – this gives the whole a certain “real” touch that you rarely find in museums.
A short detour to Aurora, a tiny little town that has hardly more than a few shops, has shown me why some people love rural life. There is a small café that I accidentally discovered and the best homemade cake I've ever eaten – no joke, that was almost too good to be true. The owner told me that she got the recipe from her grandmother, and I feel that this is exactly what you're looking for in a small town: authenticity that you don't find in every guide.
If you ask yourself what you can do in the vicinity of Hanover, Hanover Township, Jefferson, Indiana, then these places are a good start. They show that the region has more to offer than just a few fields and country roads – from historical architecture to impressive nature to scrupulous museums. And yes, all that belongs to the Hanover Attractionsthat you should not miss.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my heart beats a bit faster as soon as I get the old brick building from Old Main see – the landmark of Hanover College, which stands proudly over the skyline of the little town. I don't always understand the hype about college campuses, but here the whole thing is somehow really charming: the red bricks, the crumbling wood of the entrance door and the quiet marble of the students who pick coffee between the lectures. Parking is usually easy as long as you don't arrive on Friday night after the football game – then the field becomes a car park chaos.
A short walk down the main road leads you to the heart of the Hanover Historic District. There are more small shops here than I can count on names, and each shop window has its own history. Once in a tiny antique business, I found an old handwritten diary belonging to a former teacher from the 1920s – a real find that explains the flair of this neighborhood. The road is not wide, but parking on the weekend is a small adventure: a free place is a lucky case, otherwise you have to park a few blocks further and wind up through the pedestrian zone.
If you have enough of crowds, I recommend Hanover College Arbortum. I spent more hours there than I want to admit, because I lost myself in a maze of trees and shrubs – a real test for sense of orientation and patience. The Arboretum houses over 300 plant species, and the best is that you can enjoy the nature completely undisturbed there, while the students nearby are discussing their homework loudly. A small note: the entrance portal is always open, but in autumn the leaves can make the way a little slippery.
A short detour leads you to Hanover Public Library, a pretty Carnegie building from 1915. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the free Wi-Fi and the cozy reading chair are easy to tempt. The library is a real resting pole in the midst of the hustle and bustle, and the staff knows every regular in the name – a little small talk here, a little book recommendation there, and you feel almost like a part of the city history.
Another jewel I always like to visit is that Old Schoolhouse Museum. The small restored school building from the 19th century Century tells the story of generations who have learned to read and write here. I remember sitting in the corner of the classroom as a child and admiring the old boards, while an older gentleman told me about the hard winters that the students had to endure at that time. The museum has no fixed opening hours, but if you go there, you usually get a friendly guide that shows you the old school benches and the original bell game.
A bit of modern entertainment ensures Hanover Community Center. Here farmers' markets, concerts and yoga classes take place regularly – a place where the community meets to chat, dance or just drink a coffee. I heard a local jazz ensemble there once on a Friday afternoon, playing in a corner of the room, while the children were busy with crafts. Parking is almost always a children's game, and the center is barrier-free, which I particularly appreciate.
A little melancholic, yet fascinating place is the Hanover Cemetery. Between the old tombstones are stories of citizens who fought in civil war, and of pioneers who populated the country here. I once discovered an old, artistically crafted tombstone dedicated to one of the founders of the city – a silent witness of the past that reminds you that every city has its own legends. The cemetery is well maintained, and parking is free at the entrance as long as you do not come to the main holidays, then it becomes a bit fuller.
If you are now wondering what you can see in Hanover, I will tell you quite frankly: “Hanover sights” are not only the well-known points, but the whole small, slightly shattered braid of history, nature and community that makes this city a surprisingly lively place. And as you stroll through the streets, you will notice that the real highlight is not a single place, but the feeling that you are really welcome here – with a light eye-catcher and a portion of local irony that only really seasons the whole.
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