La Paz sights? Honestly, most of them immediately think of an exotic paradise, but here in North Township, Marshall County, Indiana, there's a different charm – a bit dusty, a bit sleepy, but with a story that you shouldn't overlook. Founded in 1852 by a few brave pioneers who claimed the land between the fields and the old railroads, the town has its name from a Spanish prayer of peace, which is better suited to the quiet country roads than to the loud metropolises.
I usually go over State Road 331 with the old pickup, because the bus here is a myth, and that's half the adventure. Once you cross the narrow main road, you can feel the crunching feeling that can only offer small places: an old wood shed that now houses a café that serves the best apple cake wide and wide – no joke, that's almost cult. Directly next to the café is the former post office, which today serves as an art gallery; I don't quite understand the hype about modern art, but the local paintings show the country how it really is – honest and undefeated.
A short detour to the south leads you to the old cemetery, where the tombstones tell stories of families who have been here for generations. When you return to the city, you can look forward to a spontaneous conversation with the locals who like to report to you about the annual harvest festivals – this is the true La Paz Sights experience that nobody finds in guidebooks.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey is the Marshall County Historical Society Museum, which is hidden in a renovated bank building in the heart of Plymouth. I have learned more about the old railway and the local peasant families than I would have thought possible – and even though the exhibitions smell more like “crates full of dust” than “high-tech interactivity”. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night after the weekly flea market, then the field in front of the museum becomes the battlefield of the last free pitches.
A short detour to the Marshall County Courthouse, an imposing brick building dating back to 1905, feels like a step back to the time when judges walked through the corridors with cylinder hats. I shot a few photos there because the huge dome roof and the artistic columns are easy to photos to ignore them. The courtyard is a popular meeting place for the local seniors who play chess there – an image I like to keep in mind while I wonder why nobody here is putting up a food truck.
If you have enough of concrete and history, the path continues to the Tippecanoe River State Park, about 30 miles north. There are hiking trails that roam through dense beech forests, and a small beach on the river, where I took a cool bath on a hot afternoon of July – no joke, the water was actually refreshing, not the eclipse, chemically smelling one finds in some amusement parks. Parking is well signposted at the main entrance, but at the weekends it can be filled quickly, so better to come early.
Another highlight I can't leave is the annual Marshall County Fair, which takes place every August end at the Fairgrounds in Plymouth. I tried a freshly baked apple cake there for the first time, which was better than anything I've ever eaten in the city cafés. The rides are not exactly the most modern, but the nostalgic giant bike has a certain charm – at least if you are not afraid of heights. Parking is available in abundance as long as you do not try to find a place on the last day of the festival, then the whole becomes a small Survival game.
For those who prefer to experience something more local and less tourist, a trip to the Miller’s Farm Market, a family business that has been offering fresh fruit, vegetables and homemade jams for generations. I bought a basket of sweet strawberries that were so juicy that I almost consumed the whole package on the way back. The market has a small car park right in front of the door, and the staff is so friendly that you almost forget that you just wanted to “purchase” here.
A last, almost overlooked place is the La Paz Community Center, a modest building that serves as a meeting point for local sports groups and senior courses. I once made a yoga-hour sample training there – the instructor was not exactly a yoga guru, but the atmosphere was warm and the neighborhood tie felt. Parking is always free here because the center is rarely full, unless there is a special event, then you can appreciate the sign “Only residents”.
Whether you're exploring the dusty halls of the Marshall County Historical Society Museum, admire the majestic courthouse, enjoy the nature at the Tippecanoe River State Park, absorb the exuberant mood of the Marshall County Fair, taste fresh harvest at the Miller's Farm Market or just watch the quiet drive at the La Paz Community Center – the surroundings of La Paz offer more than enough fabric for curious travelers. And that's exactly what makes La Paz Attractions to an underestimated treasure in the heart of Indiana.
So, next time you land in La Paz, North Township, Indiana, let's go first Town Hall – this is the unofficial “king crown” of the city for me. The red brick building from the 1880s is in the middle of the small centre, and I swear that the clock in the tower always ticks a bit too loud, as if it wanted to remind us that there are still real, non-tourist decisions. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the annual barbecue will take place in the front garden of the town hall and everyone tries to get a place.
A short walk down the main road leads you to La Paz Community Center, formerly the old primary school, which now serves as a venue for everything possible – from bingo nights to local art exhibitions. I once experienced a Poetry-Slam where a pensioner spoke about the benefits of Maispfen‐Müsli; that was so absurd that I still applauded. The entrance has a huge window that makes the light so beautiful that you almost forget that you are in a small town.
If you have enough of indoors, I suggest to La Paz Park to send. The small park on the edge of the Tippecanoe River is not just a Disneyland, but the old wooden bench on the river bank has a certain charm for me – especially in autumn when the leaves lie on the ground like a colorful carpet. I once made a picnic with my neighbour who claimed he could count the fish on the shore; I just threw a “no joke” at him and rejoiced.
A short detour about La Paz Bridge (the old iron construction that spans US‐31 over the river) gives you a look that almost seems to have been photogenic, although I am not the type of selfies. The sound of the cars that roll over it reminds me that La Paz is small, but not completely cut off from the rest of the world. I once saw a van with a huge pile of potatoes that almost blocked the whole bridge – a real moment that shows that the everyday is sometimes more spectacular than any planned attraction.
A little off the hustle and bustle La Paz Cemeterya cemetery that tells more stories than a museum. The old tombstones of granite and marble bear names you can't find in any phone book, and I once met a descendant of one of the founders who proudly told me about the first days of the city. This is a perfect example for me why I'm the La Paz Attractions not only as a tourist checklist, but as a living witness of history.
Another must is the Methodist Church in the heart of the village. The building from the late 19. The century has a simple but impressive bell game, which sounds at 10 a.m. on Sundays – a sound that reminds you that there is still a little tradition here. I once took part in a church service, only to see how the church immediately storms into the small cafeteria of the municipal house after blessing to enjoy the homemade apple cake. This is the true La Paz experience: a mix of history, community and a pinch of unexpected sweetness.
Last but not least, if you still have a little time, take a look into the little one La Paz Historical Society Museum. It is not a huge exhibition building, but rather a cozy room in the old post where you can find old maps, photos of horse carriages and a few dusty tools. I remember discovering an old diary that was handwritten by a peasant from the 1920s – a real treasure for anyone interested in real life here. And the best thing: admission is free, because the city somehow sees it as a community project.
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