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Mooresville sights are for me less a catalogue, but a personal trip through a town that was founded in 1829 as “Moore’s Settlement” and has since changed the name several times until it was finally called Mooresville in 1850 – a little like a bad novel where the author was never completely satisfied. Honestly, the story is not exactly Hollywood material, but the old railway museum, which is housed in a former depot, reminds that the city was once a small hub for freight transport. If you come by car from Indianapolis, take the I‐69 to exit 115 and follow the State Road 37; the ride is short, but the sign “Welcome to Mooresville” seems almost ironic because hardly anyone expects tourist here.
I don't understand the hype around the historic half-timbered houses, but the small café on Main Street, which has been run by a family since the 70s, is really great – here there is the best apple cake I've ever tasted, and this at a view of the old town hall, which was built in 1885 and serves today as a city office. No joke, the town hall has more character than some big city hotels, and the sticky wooden staircase is a perfect spot for a fast selfie that you can later show to your friends when you tell them about “Mooresville Sights”.
So, if you're going to Mooresville for the first time, let's start with the heart: Historic Downtown. I've almost never seen the headstone paver from the street, because I've always gone too fast to the corner around the old brick bakery store – but believe me, a short stop is worth it. The old shop fronts from the 1800s have this slightly rusted charm, which is otherwise only found in films, and the small café next to the former pharmacy store serves the best black coffee I have ever drank in a place with less than 2 000 inhabitants. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole town comes together as a live music evening.
A few blocks further you stumble over the Mooresville Public Library. I don't understand the hype about huge modern libraries, but here the building has a homey atmosphere that almost tempts you to read a book while waiting for the next bus to Indianapolis – and that's almost the same as a holiday, just cheaper. The shelves are full of local history, and I randomly found an old photo album showing the city in 1905; that was a real Aha-Moment, because I suddenly realized that the old town hall we were discussing was still a wooden building.
Now Old Town Hall, which today serves as a community centre. I experienced a small concert of a local folk band there – no joke, the acoustics is surprisingly good for a building that used to have only a single, cracking chair for the mayor. The courtyard is covered with an old oak that gives shade in the summer, and the sign in front of the entrance explains in short sentences why the town hall was built in 1885. If you're lucky, there's a crafts market going over, and you can get a handmade ceramic vessel that you can use later at home as a talking material.
A short walk leads you to City Park. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, while a few young people played Frisbee – that was the picture of “typical American weekend” that I always imagined. The park has a small lake, a playground for children and a baseball field that is inhabited by locals on weekends. There are enough free parking spaces on the edge, but when you arrive by bike, you have to share one of the few bicycle stands that stand there – this is almost a social experiment.
If you're in town in the summer, you can Mooresville Farmers Market do not miss. For the first time, I tried fresh peaches from Indiana, which were sweeter than anything I've ever seen in a supermarket. The market is open only on Saturdays from 8 am to 12 pm, and the stands are close to each other, so you almost feel like walking in a labyrinth of vegetables and handmade soaps. The best thing is that the sellers all chat a bit and tell you why their vegetables are cultivated “without chemistry” – that’s a bit of marketing, but I find honesty refreshing.
Last but not least a short trip to St John the Baptist Catholic Church. I was there at a midnight fair because I thought that was a good way to find silence after a loud day. The church is made of red brick and has an imposing bell-play that sounds every Sunday at 10 a.m. – this is the loudest sound you will hear in Mooresville, and it reminds you that there are still traditions that you will find in history books. If you ask yourself where you can arrange everything, simply tap “Mooresville Sights” into your search engine, and you will notice that these little treasures make the city.
I must confess, the first thing I like about the area around Mooresville is the unobtrusive reputation of the ducks at Lake Lemon. I was there on a lukewarm Saturday morning when an older gentleman in the angler hat told me that the water here is “almost never stinky” – a praise I hardly wanted to believe until I smelled the smell of fresh carp in the air. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you do not come to high season with the family boats; then the small field turns into a mini-sau paradise, which even strains the patience of a Zen master.
A short trip to Martinsville leads you to Morgan County Historical Museum. The building itself is a relic from the 1800s, which has more stories to tell than an old sailor. I found an old diary where a farmer from 1882 complained that the cows were “too loud” – a real classic that made me sneak, because I still hear the same sounds from the cows in the field today. Admission? Well, the museum is free, but the curator's smile costs a bit of patience if you want to convince him of the latest exhibitions.
If you have enough of dusty halls, look at this Morgan County Courthouse on. The imposing brick building dominates the city centre of Martinsville and is a prime example of Victorian architecture that is still at home here. I once observed a court appointment there – no fun, but the acoustics in the hall is so good that you can hear every whisper from the last row. Parking is available directly in front of the building, but after lunch you have to fight for a place with the residents.
A bit further south, almost in the hinterland, this is Hoosier National Forest. I spent a weekend there, which offered more bear cravings than I would have expected in my whole life – fortunately only from a distance. The trails are well marked, and the network of gravel and forest trails makes you feel you are in real Indiana. Practical: The visitor center has toilets, and parking is free as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with your whole family, then the field will quickly become the parking chaos.
For those who prefer to stay in the green, but do not want to go too far, the Brown County State Park A must. In autumn I saw the leaves that shined in all conceivable red tones – a sight that is almost too cheesy to be true. The park is huge, so plan enough time, otherwise you will miss the lookout points that are truly spectacular. The main road parking is usually full, but if you use the small, hidden car park behind the visitor center, you almost feel you are the only visitor.
Another highlight that I cannot overlook is that Morgan County Fairgrounds. The annual County Fair is a spectacle of carousel, cattle upgrades and a lot of people who believe Corn Dogs are the nonplusultra of gastronomy. I once ridden a cop there – not because I was brave, but because I thought it was a “local custom”. Spoiler: The cop wasn't thrilled. Parking is a bit like a puzzle here: The main parking spaces are full on Friday night, but if you arrive early enough on Saturday morning you will find a free place.
Last but not least Morgan County 4‐H Fairgrounds, which hosts various exhibitions and fairs all year round. I was there at a local trade fair where I bought a hand-carved wooden toy that is now in my living room and reminds me every time I don't have to take everything seriously in my life. The approach is uncomplicated, and parking is almost always free as long as you are not there during one of the major events.
So, next time you think about where you want to spend your time, remember that the surroundings of Mooresville have more to offer than just a few field paths. From Lake Lemon over historic halls to extensive forests – there are enough Mooresville Sightsto inspire even the most bretched traveler.
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