Honestly, if you think Indiana is just corn fields and highway races, then you haven't experienced the little jewel of Campbellsburg yet – and this is only the beginning of my story about the “Campbellsburg sights”, which I personally consider to be the best hidden corners. The city was founded in 1835, named after the influential family name Campbell, and has since then more than a few centuries history in its bricks. I like to drive over State Road 56 because it brings me directly into the heart of Brown Township, where the rural flair almost seems romantic when you hear the old barns and the quiet sum of bees.
A short trip to Washington County lets you feel that time is slower here – that's not a joke, that's pure reality. I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the gentle hills, I find the real Indiana. When you arrive by car, just park at the edge of the main road; this is practical because the city does not have a large parking lot, but that gives it its charm. And as you stroll through the main street, you will realize that every old building is whispering a story that you can only hear when you are ready to listen to a bit.
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The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Washington State Park – a piece of unspoiled nature hidden just a few kilometers north of Campbellsburg. The lake glistens almost in summer as if it were looking forward to the visitors, and the trails lead you through dense pine forests that almost let you forget that you are actually in Indiana. I once made a picnic there, while an older gentleman crawled loudly over the “good old time” of the 70s; that was almost a local culture shock, but the noise of the water has brought everything back into balance. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night – then the field in front of the visitor center becomes a battlefield.
A short trip to Salem brings you to Hinton House Museum, a magnificent Victorian mansion that has more stories to tell than most guides can put in one sentence. The furniture is original, and the guide (which I took over from pure curiosity, because the official guide had just lunch break) lets you admire the fine details of the interior architecture while you ask why someone at that time wanted to spend so much money for a chandelier. I don't quite understand the hype about historical houses, but here you suddenly feel in another era – and this is at least a nice balance to the endless fields that dominate the picture.
A short walk over the old Salem Covered Bridge is almost a ritual for me when I'm in the area. The wooden construction cnares every step, and the light that falls through the cracks throws patterns on the river underneath – an image that I photograph repeatedly, although I know it was seen a thousand times on the internet. Access is free, and parking is a small, inconspicuous parking space on the edge of the river, which is usually empty, unless a local photo competition is in progress.
For those who like a little more “crawling” history, this is Old Washington County Jail Museum A must. The old prison, which now serves as a museum, houses cells that still radiate the muffy smell of past decades. I took a lead there where the curator told me that an inmate in 1912 tried to escape from a window with a self-built slingshot – an attempt that obviously failed. Parking is a bit tricky because the museum is located in a narrow alley, but a short walk through the old town is worth the effort.
If you have enough of small towns and look for the distance, then that's Hoosier National Forest That's right. The forest is located southwest of Campbellsburg and offers kilometers of trails that lead you through gentle hills and dense beech forests. I spent a weekend to escape everyday life, and even watched a few wild boars from a safe distance – an experience you don't have every day. The parking spaces on the trailheads are usually well signposted, but at the popular weekends it can be bottlenecks, so be there early.
A bit further south Patoka Lake, an artificial lake that is equally popular among anglers and boaters. I once rented a small boat to enjoy the tranquility and was almost completely surrounded by a group of ducks – a picture I will never forget. The lake has several moorings, and parking is usually easy as long as you don't get to high season.
Last but not least, if you're ready to drive a bit further, you'll be worth a trip to Brown County State Park. This is a bit further away, but the landscape is so picturesque that it is almost a mandatory program for every Indiana lover. The hills, forests and artisans shops in nearby Nashville give you the feeling of being in another world. I spent a few hours there to just enjoy the view and found that the air here tastes more fresh – maybe it's the many leaves that the sun filters.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a bit of both, the surroundings of Campbellsburg have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. From the quiet paths of the Washington State Park to the historical flair of the Hinton House Museum to the vast forests of the Hoosier National Forest, there is something to discover for everyone. And that's exactly what makes Campbellsburg Sights to an underestimated jewel in the heart of Indiana.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Campbellsburg is not some hip Rooftop bar – that would be too much – but the old Campbellsburg Community Park. There's a small lake, a few old benches, and if you're lucky, you'll see the kids that in summer with their water hose sleeps make the air glow. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the annual barbecue festival starts and everyone shows up with their own folding chair.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Campbellsburg Public Library. I don't quite understand the hype about huge, modern libraries, but here you have the feeling that every book was personally recommended by a neighbor. Last time I found an old photo album that documented the founding of the city in 1859 – a real treasure for historians who are not only looking for Instagram lovers.
If you ask where you can collect sights in Campbellsburg, take a look at the Campbellsburg Historical Museumhoused in the former school building from the 1920s. The exhibition is not exactly spectacular, but the old school benches and the original preserved classbook from 1934 give you the feeling that you are just in a time capsule. I even found a yellowed letter where a former pupil wrote about the "big harvest" of 1947 – a real reading kit for nostalgics.
Another highlight I always like to mention is the Campbellsburg United Methodist Church. The church is not only a place to pray, but also an architectural relic from the Victorian era, complete with colorful glass windows, which looks a little like a kaleidoscope at sunset. I once had a small concert where the municipality set up an old Gospel album from the 60s – no joke, that was better than some expensive concert series in the city.
For those who like to discover a bit of “hidden” history, a detour to Campbellsburg Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery doesn't sound like a holiday paradise, but the artfully crafted gravestones from sandstone tell stories of pioneers who hit the country here. I found a tombstone there, where a true pioneer – no Wi-Fi needed – was standing in a sweeping script. This made me sneak and at the same time reminded that real people have lived here, not only digital avatars.
A bit off the main road lies the old Campbellsburg Train Depot. The building is today a small café called “Depot Diner” and serves the best homemade apple cake within 30 miles. I met a former locomotive driver there, who told me how the trains were rolling through the city earlier and the children waved at the platform – a nostalgic moment that perfectly rounded off the picture of Campbellsburg as a quiet small town.
Last but not least, I must Campbellsburg Fall Festival not to mention that takes place every year in October. It's not exactly a mega event, but the mix of local crafts stands, a small parade and a competition with self-made pumpkin weighing is simply charming. I remember how last year I tore through the crowd in an oversized corn-piston costume – that was definitely a highlight that I don't forget so fast.
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