Honestly, if you think âWestfield Sightsâ is just another clichĂ© from the Middle West, then you havenât experienced the true heart of Westfield, Westfield Township, Clark County. The small municipality was built in 1856, named after the same name town in Massachusetts â a bit of nostalgia from the pioneering period, which today still reflects itself in the old brick houses and the slightly weathered primary school building. I like to drive over the old U.S. 40, which draws here like a red thread through the flat land, and then stop because the village is simply too charming to move on.
A short trip with the bus from Terre Haute (yes, the line goes to the border) takes you to the centre where you find the only cafĂ© in the city â no joke, there is only one, but the homemade cakes are really great. I do not understand the hype around the âbigâ cities, but here life has a leisurely rhythm that almost forces you to breathe more slowly. And while you're sitting there, you hear the remote ratter of the trains going over the old railway line â a sound that somehow carries the whole Westfield.
If you want to see a little more, look at the small fields surrounding the township; they are the true backbone of this area. And yes, the word âsightsâ sounds almost exaggerated here, but thatâs exactly what makes the stimulus â youâll discover it if youâre no longer looking for the next Instagram shot, but just enjoy the moment.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance â taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
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Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site â ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Westfield, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Marshall, where the Clark County Historical Museum in a renovated bank building â a place I visit every time I feel that history has become too dry. Between dusty maps and a collection of old tractors you can literally feel the pulse of the region, and I must admit that the exhibition about the early railways is surprisingly captivating, although I cannot fully understand the whole hype about âlocal industrial cultureâ. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small parking lot turns into a battlefield of crowded cars and stressed parents.
A short detour towards the east brings me to Lincoln Trail State Park, a little nature stretching over the gentle hills of Lawrence County. I remember the day when I tried the 5-mile route along the Wabash River with my old mountain bike â the water glittered, and I thought that this must be the true âIllinois experienceâ here, not the endless corn fields. The park offers picnic places that are overrun by families in the summer, but a quiet morning at the lake is a real secret tip if you want to avoid the crowd.
Back to Westfield, but not in the village itself, the Wabash River Bridge, an inconspicuous concrete arch that leads over the river and at the same time offers one of the best photospots for sunsets. I shot a photo there that later landed in my Instagram feed, and that was the only time I actually got a like from a stranger â no joke. Access is free, and parking is possible directly on the river bank, as long as you do not get to the high season, then the small field is claimed by anglers and canoeers.
A little away, about 12 miles south, the Cedar Creek Trail through dense forests and open fields â a paradise for hikers who do not want to spend the whole day in the car. I once tried to photograph a squirrel for half an hour, but I ignored myself with a cheeky look before it disappeared in a bush. The path is well marked, and parking on the trailhead is practically still free, which is a rare comfort in this area.
When the weather plays, it is worth a trip to Clark County Fairgrounds in Marshall, where the annual County Fair event takes place. I tried the giant wheel there for the first time in 2018 â a bit dizzying, but the view over the entire fairgrounds is a real eye-catcher. The stands with homemade apple cake and local handicraft products are a must, and parking is not a problem thanks to the generous areas as long as you do not arrive in the first hours of the evening when the visitor numbers explode.
Another slightly overlooked jewel is the Old Clark County Jail Museum, a small building from the 1880s, which today serves as a museum. I once made a guided tour with a former policeman who told me how he once pursued an escaped cattle thief â a real piece of local folklore that you don't find in every guide. The museum has only a tiny visitor center, so you should not plan too much time, but a short look is worth it, especially if you have a flaw for oblique history.
Whether you are a history fan, nature lover or just looking for an authentic piece of Illinois â the environment of Westfield offers more than enough reasons to turn on and take off the engine. These Westfield Attractions show that the surrounding area is anything but boring, and I can only recommend exploring the small corners before being rolled over by the next tourist wave.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my favorite place in Westfield is the old school building that today is Westfield Community Center serves â a hard proof that you can't squeeze a little charm from anything. I came there on a lukewarm Saturday afternoon, when the parquet still seemed to carry the echo of squeaking sneakers from the 70s, and was immediately greeted by a group of seniors who spoke loudly about the latest village festivals at Bingo. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't have the weekly flea market chaaos at the main square, this will be a little adventure.
Right next to the center Westfield Historical Museum, which is housed in the former primary school â yes, the same building I just mentioned, only a few steps on. There I like to hang the old school books on the wall because they remind me of the time when I thought that the word âKalkĂŒlâ was a new trend in the hip hop. The exhibition is small, but every piece has its history, and I understand the hype about the old tractor model, which is exhibited here, not entirely â until I heard the history of my grandmother's farm that worked there for years.
A short walk leads you to Westfield Park, a green spot that has more to offer than just a playground. I once made a picnic with my friend while a local baseball club played a game â the noise of the balls was almost as loud as the laughing of the children. The small lake in the park is not deep enough to swim, but perfect to feed ducks and observe how the villagers run their dogs. On weekends, the car park is full, so better get early if you don't want to stand in the traffic jam of your own cars.
If you're looking for a place where you can take a short walk away without leaving the house, then the Westfield Public Library That's right. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the shelves are full of local history and a few dusty criminals I would never read, but still borrow from curiosity. The librarian knows everyone who comes here and likes to give you a tip where you get the best piece of apple cake in the city â a real insider tip you would never know otherwise.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is the imposing Westfield Grain Elevator on the edge of the city. It is not exactly a museum, but the massive wooden framework that projects over the field is a symbol for the agricultural soul of this spot earth. I watched a sunset there once, while a tractor slowly passed â that was a picture I will never forget. The whole is freely accessible, but be warned: the terrain is not always secured, so keep on the marked paths.
A little away from the hustle and bustle Westfield United Methodist Church, a simple brick building that has been the heart of the municipality for over a century. I took part in a choir sample there â no joke, I sang because I thought that would be a nice way to get to know the villagers better. The acoustics are surprisingly good, and the pastor has a dry humour that even brings the most serious visitors to the pulp.
Last but not least, a place I almost always look over because he doesnât sound âtouristâ: the Westfield Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery can be an interesting stop if you have a flaw for history. The tombstones tell about pioneers who arrived here over 150 years ago, and I even discovered a few old family names that still appear in local shops today. The terrain is well maintained, and a short walk there gives you the feeling of being part of a long, though sometimes some slept history.
If you now think that all this is too much to pack it in a single day, then don't be fooled â Westfield is small enough to experience everything, and big enough to surprise you again and again. And if you ask yourself where you can best plan all this: a look at the Westfield Attractions in a local flyer (most cafes have hung them out) is enough to outline your route. I tried this myself and it worked â at least until I lost myself in the library and had to borrow a new book there.
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