Honestly, if you're looking for Edwardsport attractions, you'll have to understand that this little town on the Ohio River has more history than you can imagine at the first glance: Founded in 1827 by a former border post, it grew thanks to the river harbour activity to a quirky-industrial junction before the railway left the store and the town sank back into the tranquil embrace of Vigo Town. I have the feeling that people still hear the echo of the old steam ships when they spit along the shore – and that, although most of us only arrive by car or a bustling bus from Indianapolis because the train is long history.
I don't understand the hype around the small cafes, but the “Riverfront Diner” next to the old post is really great: a little retro charm that almost lets you forget that you were planning a short stop for a coffee. And while you sit there, you take a look at the old town hall, which today serves as a community centre – a perfect example of how Edwardsport sights are often built from the same stone, from which everyday life is also beaten.
A short trip to nearby State Road 69 leads you through fields still ordered by the first settlers, and offers you the opportunity to breathe the rural Indiana without having to torture you through crowded tourist crowds. So, that's it from me – take what you like, and just let the rest pass by you.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – 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 Edwardsport, 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 I put to every new man's heart is that Gifford State Forest – a piece of forest that turned about ten miles north of Edwardsport into a true maze of pebbles, small streams and ancient oaks. I spent half a day there, just to see that parking on the small entrance areas is almost always a children's game, as long as you don't meet a group of hunters on Saturday night, then that will be a real patience sample. The forest is not only a paradise for hikers, but also for mushroom collectors – in autumn the delicious oyster mushrooms, which I enjoyed after a short trip to the nearby hut with a cool beer, sprinkled here.
A few miles further south-east lies the Patoka Lake, the largest reservoir in the southwest of Indiana. Here you can not only fish (the bass population is amazingly sturdy, although I don’t understand the hype around the “Catch-and-Release”), but also sail, drive kayak or just make a picnic on the shore while the sun sinks over the gentle waves. Practically, the visitor centre is almost empty around the noon – ideal if you want to escape the usual hustle and bustle. I once rented a small raft there and swept a piece along the coast until I realized that the GPS signal failed in the forest – a good sign that you really are debrised from everyday life.
Only about twenty miles west is Vincennes, the oldest European settlement in Indiana, and there is more history than one can process in a single day. The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is my personal favorite place: The rebuilt fortifications and the small museum provide a picture of the rough frontier period that you do not get from a textbook. Directly next to it is the historic court building, which with its imposing dome almost looks like a relic from another era. I heard a city tour podcast that spiced the story with a pinch of cynicism – no joke, that was refreshingly honest. Parking is available on the outskirts of the park, but on sunny Saturday afternoons it can be tight, so it's better to come early.
If you prefer to experience nature in motion, the Wabash River Heritage Trail just past the banks of the mighty river, just a short walk from Edwardsport. The path is well developed and I used it several times to get the head off after a long working day. Especially recommended is the section that leads over the old railway bridge – there you have a wide view over the water, and the sounds of the passing boats are almost meditative. The best thing: The trail head parking is almost always free, except when a local running event takes place, then this becomes a small mess.
Another technical highlight you should not overlook is that Wabash River Lock and Dam north of Edwardsport. The building is a silent witness of the industrial past of the region and offers an unusual view behind the scenes of river shipping. I spent an afternoon there while an excavator regulated the water – a fascinating spectacle that you rarely find in guidebooks. The visitor center is small, but informative, and parking is free directly at Dam, as long as you do not come to the main shipping time (spring to autumn), then it can become a bit fuller.
Last but not least, a detour into Knox County Historical Society Museum in Vincennes, which houses a fine collection of artifacts from the early settlers. The exhibition is not exactly spectacular, but the lovingly designed signs and the occasional presentations of local historians give the whole a personal touch that you rarely find in larger museums. The museum is located in a quiet side street, so parking is almost always a Klack – a small but fine completion of a discovery tour around Edwardsport.
Those looking for an authentic piece of Indiana will find places of interest around Edwardsport, which make nature and history lovers happy – from the quiet paths of the Gifford State Forest to the glittering waters of Patoka Lake to the historic streets of Vincennes. And all this without the usual tourist crowd, only with a bit of own initiative and a pinch of local irony.
I have to tell you about the old Parker-Trussian bridge that projects over the Wabash – I think that is the heart of Edwardsport. The Edward Bridge is not only a piece of raw engineering art from 1902, it is the only thing that radiates a bit of pride here when you look at the otherwise rather inconspicuous country roads. I tried the railing in the summer of 2023, and yes, the crack under the feet is almost romantic as long as you are not suddenly disturbed by a curious duck. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because then the whole “Riverfest” crowds the field.
Right next to the bridge lies the Edward Sports Community Park, a small but fine piece of green that has more to offer than one would expect from a place with less than 300 inhabitants. The playground is not exactly a Disneyland, but the slide still works and the swing is stable enough not to push you right into the Wabash. I made a picnic there in the autumn, while an older gentleman, besides me, crawled loudly over the “good old times” of the village football – a nice piece of local color that you should not miss.
If you're looking for some history, look at this old school house on Main Street. It was built in 1885 and served until the 70s as the only school of the place. Today it is a small museum operated by the local Historical Society. I found a yellowed class list where my first name didn't stand – no wonder I never was there. The entrance is free, but bring a few coins for the old donation cash, otherwise the sign “Please donate” will only stare at you.
A short walk upstream leads you to Wabash River Accessan unspectacular but functional pier from which locals push their boats into the water. I once tried to force the flow with a lent kayak – the result was a quick descent, followed by a wet but happy smile. The water is clear enough to land a few good pike and cash catches if you want fishing. There is no official parking, but a few empty fields on the edge provide enough space for a car as long as you don't get too late.
A little further south, almost on the edge of the place, lies the Edwards Cemetery. This is not exactly a place for Instagram shots, but the old gravestones tell stories you wouldn't find in any guide. I discovered the burial place of a veteran from the civil war, whose name I can't say because the tombstone is completely weathered. Nevertheless, the whole thing has something calming when you think about the volatile nature of small towns.
And because I don't want to neglect everything, I still have to Wabash River Heritage Trail mentioning that draws a short but fine section through Edwardsport. The path is well marked, and you can run it in about 15 minutes while you enjoy the view of the bridge and the water. I met a few locals there who told me they were using the trail to get to work – yes, this is actually a daily work route for some.
If you now think that all this is a bit too much to make it in a day, then don't let yourself be fooled: Edwardsport is small enough that you can clear everything in a few hours, and big enough that you don't feel like in a leisure park, but rather like in a well-preserved chapter from a history book. This is the actual Edwardsport Attractions-Experience – a mix of rusty bridges, quiet cemeteries and a bit of local peculiarity that you can only find when you are willing to scare and marvel a little.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
