Honestly, if you’re looking for “Shelburn Sights”, you don’t get a tourist paradise, but that makes the charm – a small town in the heart of Curry Township, Sullivan County, born in 1870 as a railway hub and since then requires more patience than glamour. I came by car over State Road 45, because the bus here is more a myth, and had to find that the land roads have more fields than asphalt – perfect if you want to sniff the land life without walking.
The story of Shelburn is a mix of honest labor and a bit of dusty pride. The old railroad, which once formed the backbone of the economy, is still today and remembers better times; I don't understand the hype about old stations, but the abandoned depot next to the cemetery is for me a quiet monument that you just have to see. And yes, the small town hall, still in its original state, is a good example of how little is being renovated here – a real time capsule model.
If you look around for a short stop to eat, there’s the “Old Mill Diner” where coffee is stronger than the interest of locals in big city trends. And if you ask yourself how to get out of here again, a short trip to Sullivan, about 15 minutes away, take you back to the main traffic lines. So, it was from my side – no joke, Shelburn is just what it is, and that is kind of refreshing.
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The old Miller’s Bridge Covered Bridge, a crunchy relic from 1875, is just a few minutes east of Shelburn and is what I would call the “Instagram motto” of the area – if you take photos that are not overlaid by a tractor. The wooden frame is surprisingly stable, and parking is practically directly at the edge of the small parking lot, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the campers pile up like flies on the honey. I once tried to shoot a selfie while a tractor ran past, and the result was an artwork of dust and smile – no joke, the picture got more likes than my last vacation photos.
A short trip to the Hoosier National Forest leads to the trails at Little Pine Creek, where the trees are so dense that you feel stuck in an old Western film. The path is well marked, and the only thing you really need to bring is a bit of patience – the signs are sometimes so blurred that you almost believe they are part of a modern art installation. I got a little bit off the way and almost landed in a field full of wild flowers, which was nice, but the GPS of my phone then led me back to the official trail.
If you have enough trees, it is worth a trip to Sullivan, where the Sullivan County Museum houses a small but fine collection of local artefacts. There are old tools, photos from the 1920s and a few yellowed newspapers that betray more about life here than any Instagram story. The museum is located directly on the main square, parking is a children's game – a free space behind the town hall, as long as you don't get to the weekend fair, then the whole thing becomes a small parking district.
Another highlight is the Wabash River Heritage Trail, which runs just south of Shelburn along the river. The path is ideal for a relaxed bike ride, and the view of the river is so picturesque that you almost forget that the water is more sluggish than wild here. I once met a local angler who told me that the best places to fish are at sunset – practically if you want to drink a beer in the nearby pub.
For those who prefer to sit on the water, Patoka Lake is a real secret tip, although it is a little further away (about 30 miles south). The lake offers boat rentals, fishing grounds and a small beach bath, which is overrun by families in summer. Parking at the main entrance is generous, but you should come early if you want to secure a place on the sandy beach – otherwise you have to enjoy a narrow strip of gravel, which I would personally call “authentic nature experience”.
A short trip back to the heart of Curry Township leads to the tranquil Curry Creek Park. There are picnic tables, a small playground and a brook that goes quietly. The park is not overrun, but it also means that the toilets sometimes seem somewhat improvised – a hint for those who do not like to “reside” outdoors. I once organized a picnic with friends, and the sound of the brook almost left us forget that we were looking for a place where we were not eating our food from mosquitoes.
Last but not least, the historic Sullivan County Courthouse is an impressive brick building from the early 20th century. Century, located in the centre of Sullivan. The clock tower is a popular photo motif, and the interior houses a small museum that documents the history of the region. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the road around the building is often blocked by vans, but a short walk from the parking lot to the building is almost like a small city tour.
Whether it’s the crumbling romance of Miller’s Bridge, the woody tranquility of Hoosier National Forest, the historical Sullivan County Museum, the river-close Wabash River Heritage Trail, the water-rich Patoka Lake, the quiet Curry Creek Park or the venerable Sullivan County Courthouse – the Shelburn environment offers more than enough substance for a varied trip. And that's exactly what makes Shelburn Attractions to an underestimated treasure for those who want to experience something authentic off the beaten path.
I have to confess that Heart by Shelburn is the old city library for me – an inconspicuous brick box that has more character than some hip coffee shop in Manhattan. I once borrowed a book about the history of the Wabash River, and while I sat in the squeaking wooden bench, I heard the quiet sum of the old ventilation system, which has probably been in use since the 60s. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly bingo takes place in the community center and everyone is looking for a place.
Right next to the library Shelburn Community Park, a small piece of green that has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. The playground is not exactly an architectural wonder, but the slide is stable enough to employ the children (and the brave adults) for hours. I made a picnic there in the summer with some locals; we talked about the weather and the fact that the field for baseball games is almost always occupied by a group of seniors who still try to overrun the pitcher from the 70s.
A short walk leads you to Shelburn United Methodist Church, a red brick building that has shaped the cityscape for over a century. I don't quite understand the hype about church visits, but the organ sounds amazingly good – almost as if someone had smuggled a mini-rock concert into church service. The church is friendly, and if you're lucky, you'll get a piece of apple cake that they'll distribute after the worship.
If you want to make a little more story, take a look at the Shelburn Bridge about the Wabash River. This is not a tourist magnet, but the old steel structure has something romantic that reminds you of old film scenes. I once crossed the bridge with my bike while a tractor slowly passed – an image I don't forget so fast. Parking by the river bank is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't get to the high season, then there are a few residents who set up their boats.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Shelburn Water Tower. This rusty colossus stretches over the city like a memorial for past times. I took a photo there that now runs in my Instagram feed as “#rusticbeauty”. Access is not public, but you can catch a good view from the parking lot behind the town hall – and that is enough to post the picture without feeling like an intruder.
The Shelburn Fire Department is another piece of local identity that I like to mention. The volunteers there are real heroes of everyday life, and the small fire brigade is equipped with old hose reels and a crunching alarm that will scare you every time you pass. I once ate an ice cream there on a hot July day, because the guys just did an exercise and offered me a piece of chocolate – a small act of neighborhood help that says more about the city than any brochure.
Last but not least, Shelburn Cemetery not leaving, which is not exactly a place for parties, but a silent witness of the history of Curry Township. I discovered an old gravestone there dating in 1889, asking me what stories hide behind the name. The terrain is well maintained, and parking is possible directly at the entrance as long as you do not come to the Allerseelenzeit, then it becomes a bit fuller.
All these are the Shelburn sights that I personally recommend for a visit – not because they are world famous, but because they are the true heart of this small town. Next time you drive through Indiana, stop, take your time and let yourself be surprised by the small but fine details.
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