Honestly, if you think Indiana is just cornfields and highway noise, you haven't experienced Merom yet. Founded in 1829, the town in the heart of Gill Township, Sullivan County, has more history in its small main street than some big city-citizen. I remember sliding over the old US-41 by the train from Terre Haute, just to land in a sleepy place where the only “lights” are the lanterns of the Main Street and the occasional flickering of an old barn.
People like to talk about “Merom Sights”, but I don’t understand the hype around the old town hall – it’s just a brick building that smells more like dust than history. Right next to that is the real jewel: a small park on the White River, where you can take a cool bath in the summer, while you hear the quiet plough that sounds almost like a whisper of the founders.
When you arrive by car, take the State Road 45; it leads you through gentle hills, past fields that shine in autumn like a painting. And yes, the next supermarket sign in Sullivan is your point of reference when you are looking for a snack – because, let's be honest, a road trip without pommes is simply not a real trip. I have the feeling that, despite its modest size, Merom has a little more charm than you would suspect at first sight.
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The first stop is Merom State Forest, a wild trip through 2,500 hectares of unspoiled nature, which stretches just a few minutes east of the city. I spent half a day there because I thought a bit of forest walk would calm my soul – and I was wrong, because the rustling of the leaves was louder than the murmuring of the tourists. The parking lot is practically directly at the entrance, but on sunny Saturday afternoon it fills up faster than a squirrel can create a nut supply.
A short detour to the south leads to Wabash River Heritage Traila narrow path that sounds like a silver band along the river. I explored the trail in a foggy morning when the air was still cool and the fish in the water seemed like sleeping cats. The path is well marked, and the best: you can stop at any time to enjoy the view without a sign indicating that you cannot park here – at least until you reach the weekend, then parking becomes a small adventure.
Only half an hour further Merom Covered Bridge, a historical building from the 19th century Century spanning over the Wabash River. I have to admit, I was skeptical if an old piece of wood really has something to offer, but the creeping noise under the feet and the play of light and shadow on the beams have completely convinced me. Access is free, and a small shed on the edge serves as an improvised souvenir stand – here you get handmade key tags that have more charm than any ticket.
A little further southwest, almost on the edge of the well-known Hoosier National Forest, lies this Patoka Lake. I rented a kayak there because I thought a bit of paddle would pick up my trip. The lake is huge, the water is clear, and the surrounding hills offer a scenery that will amaze even the hardest city people. Parking is easy at the main entrance, but as soon as you drive the smaller docks, you have to count on a few cars that are pushing around the last free places.
Back to the city of Sullivan, only about ten minutes drive from Merom, is the Sullivan County Museum. I have learnt more about local history than I have ever thought possible – from the early settlers to the industrial developments of the 20th century. Century. The museum is small, but every exhibit tells a story, and the staff is so friendly that you almost forget that you wanted to look by for a short time.
Another highlight is the Lick Creek Park, a quiet place where you can let the soul dangle while children are torn on the playground. I made a picnic there because I thought a little green would round off my trip – and that actually did. The park has a small lake where you can feed ducks, and parking is almost always free, except for the days when a local festival takes place and the whole city suddenly decides to celebrate there.
If you are lucky to be there at the right time of the year, you will be worth a detour to Sullivan County Fairgrounds. I was there in autumn when the harvest festivals were in full swing, and the atmosphere was a mix of nostalgia and modern peasant market show. The stands offer everything from homemade apple cake to handmade works of art. Parking is available in abundance as long as you do not try to park on Friday night when the local bands occur.
If you are looking for an authentic piece of Indiana, you will find a colourful mix of nature, history and local life in the surroundings of Merom – all without the usual tourist crowds. These Merom Attractions show that the heart of the Middle West still strikes if you are ready to walk a little off the beaten path.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my heart beats for the old school building that today Merom Museum houses – a small piece of Indiana history, which can hardly be overlooked when you stroll along the main road. The museum is housed in the former Merom School of 1910, and I have learned more about local agriculture and the first railways than I would have thought possible. Parking is usually a children's game behind the town hall, but if you're there on the first Saturday of the month, because the museum is doing a special exhibition, then you fight for a place like the last cookie in the storage cabinet.
Right next to the museum Merom Town Halla venerable brick building from the 19th century Century, which still serves as an administrative center. I once visited a Citizenship Council meeting there – no joke, that was more exciting than any city tour, because you suddenly notice how serious people are discussing the new street lighting project here. The building is freely accessible, and parking is practically right outside the door as long as you are not there at the same time as the weekly coffee round of the city administration.
A short walk leads you to Merom Parkwhere a baseball field, a small playground and a picnic area are waiting for you. I organized an improvised barbecue festival there in the summer with some locals; that was the only time I won a hotdog wages against the mayor – he wasn't exactly a sporty opponent, but the mood was really great. The park has a few free parking spaces on the outskirts, but if you arrive at a group on the weekend, you might have to walk a few meters further.
If you're looking for a quiet place to roll a book or just listen, then this is Merom Public Library That's right. The library is small, but it has a surprisingly well-sorted local history collection, and the staff knows every regular guest by name. I found an old town plan there that helped me find the way to the hidden cemetery – a real lucky handle. Parking is a bit tricky here because the library is located in the center; there are some free places only on the side street, and that only if you are not at the same time as the school classes there.
Another jewel is that Merom Community Center, which offers all year round events from yoga courses to the annual Merom Summer Festival. I was there at the first concert of the festival, and that was a mix of country sounds and local folk band that brought the audience to sing – no joke, I almost felt like a real Indiana cowboy. The center has its own parking lot, but on the festival evening it becomes quickly a battlefield of cars and camping chairs.
For those who prefer to explore nature, there is Merom Trail, a section of the Wabash Heritage Trail that leads directly through the town. I crossed the old railway bridge on a sunny afternoon with my bicycle and enjoyed a panoramic view over the Wabash River – a sight you shouldn't have missed when you take the Merom Attractions on his list. The trail is free, and parking on the trailhead is usually easy as long as you are not at the same time as the local running group there.
Only a few miles north lies the Merom State Forest, a forest area that invites for hiking, hunting and mushroom gathering. I once spent a weekend to win a little distance from the city's life, stumbled over an old, devastating hunting house that has probably been there since the 1930s. Access to the forest is regulated via a small parking lot on Highway 41 – it is small, but sufficient as long as you do not arrive with a whole school class.
Last but not least, Merom Cemetery forgotten, which has been in operation since the 1820s and offers an amazing collection of gravestones from various periods. I once met a descendant of the founding family who told me a story about the first settlers who built the country with bare hands. The cemetery area is freely accessible, and parking is practically directly on the road, but be warned: On Saturdays, if the municipality stops a memorial meeting, it can be quite crowded there.
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