Honestly, if you ask me, Altona is the little underestimated jewel in the heart of Keyser Township, DeKalb County, Indiana. The city was founded in 1855, named after the German Altona, and grew thanks to the railway line which once formed the backbone of the local economy. I always find it fascinating how a few tracks can determine the fate of a community – and yes, the old railway station building is still standing, a bit rusted, but full of stories.
I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between endless corn fields, life has its own rhythm. The main street is spiced with old half-timbered houses that tell more about the pioneers than any history book. If you arrive by car, take the US‐33, then take a short trip to County Road 5 – this is the fastest route, and you have enough time to enjoy the rural idyll.
A short walk leads you to the old cemetery, where the inscriptions are still hand-cuffed – a silent witness of the hard work of the first settlers. And yes, if you’re looking for “Altona Sights”, you’ll quickly realize that the true highlight is the authenticity that you hardly find in larger cities. No joke, this is a place that teaches you that history not only lives in museums, but in every squeaking door and every sticking chair.
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The first stop I always drive is that Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Who comes here expects shiny bodies and the scent of old leather – and that's exactly what you get when you stroll through the halls. I remember the moment I stood next to a 1930s Duesenberg and thought that the money I spent on a coffee was completely justified here. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field in front of the museum becomes the battlefield of car park seekers.
A short detour to the east leads to DeKalb County Historical Society Museum in Auburn. The building itself is a relic from the 1900s, and the exhibitions tell of a time when people still believed that the phone was a luxury. I found an old farmer's handbook that I took home from pure curiosity – no joke, I actually read it. The entrance is free, and the staff is so friendly that you almost forget that you are here only because of the old tools.
If you have enough of metal and dust, you should Pokagon State Park drive. The lake there is crystal clear, and the trails lead through forests that offer a firework of colors in autumn. I once made a picnic there, while a squirrel tried to steal my sandwiches – a real natural spectacle. The car park is small, so better be there early, otherwise you have to park at the edge of the parking lot and wind the way over the grass.
Back in the city of Auburn the Auburn Riverwalk. The path stretches along the St. Joseph River and offers enough benches to raise your feet and observe the driving. I often ended my morning jogging round there because the view is just too good to miss it. On the weekends, there are sometimes street musicians who make the river a small concert with their guitar – no wonder people are staying here.
Another jewel for those who prefer to travel on two wheels is the Auburn Trail. The old railway corridor was converted into a 10-kilometre long cycle path that leads through fields and small villages. I once saw an old tractor that was pushed by a peasant over the track – an image that remains in my memory for a long time. The trail is well marked, and parking at the entrance is usually easy as long as you don't get to the main traffic time.
Only a few miles further lies the charming Garrett Historic District. The old brick building from the late 19. The century gives the place a touch of nostalgia, which is missing in many modern cities. I discovered a small café that serves the best apple cakes in the region – a sweet consolation after a long journey. The roads are narrow, so better park by car, otherwise you could land next time in the street pit.
Last but not least, St. Joseph River that winds through the landscape and invites you to fishing and canoeing at several places. I once rented a canoe and enjoyed the calm water surface for hours, while the sun slowly went down. Access to the river is usually free, but on hot summer days it can be full, so prefer to start early a day.
Altona may be small, but the environment sprays from interesting Altona Attractionssurprise and delight every traveler – from shiny oldtimers to quiet forests to charming small towns that warm up the heart.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Altona is not some hip-café, but the Altona United Methodist Church – a simple brick building from the 1880s, which has more character than some overpriced loft in Chicago. I came there on a rainy Thursday afternoon, because I was actually just trying to stop before the storm, and was greeted by a choir from 12 seniors who just tried “Amazing Grace”. The interior smells like old wood and a bit of candle wax, and that's exactly what I love in small places: no artificial candle, just honest history. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly bingo takes place in the municipal house and everyone is looking for a place.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Altona Cemetery. I know a cemetery doesn't sound like a holiday highlight, but here's the rest you're looking for in vain in the loud cities. The tombstones tell about families that have been rooted here for generations – a few with artistic forging works, others simple and rusty. I found an old veteran grave there, whose inscription I would almost have read, because I was too busy watching the squirrels that bravely climb the bark of the old oaks. A short note: the entry is free, but bring some rubber boots if you are stabbed by the wet paths after a rain.
If you ask where you can sniff a little “local flair” in Altona, then look at this Altona Grain Elevator on. The massive silver scaffold on the edge of the city is not only a landmark, but also the heart of the agricultural economy here. I stood there once in the summer, while a tractor lured the last grains of the day, and heard the rhythmic creeps of the metal bands – a soundtrack that can only be found in real middle-layer cities. The best thing: you can admire the whole thing from the street, parking is practically right in front of the door as long as you don't come past the harvest time on Friday night, then there's a small dam.
There is also a bit of green if you Altona Community Park visit. The small park has a sandy baseball court, a few old benches and a playground that has more rust than color – but this makes the charm. I played an improvised baseball match against a few native teenagers with my nephew; they were better, but the laugh was unpaid. Access is free, and parking is a field trail behind the car park, which is actually only used for the weekly yoga course meeting. On Sundays there is sometimes a flea market where you can find old records and homemade jam – a real treasure for bargain hunters.
A little story? Then look at this Altona Schoolhouse an old one-room school building that now serves as a small museum. I was there on a lukewarm autumn afternoon when an older gentleman who was once a teacher told me how he taught the children in the 1950s with chalk and a pointer. The walls are still covered with old panels, and in a corner there is an old globe that is more than a century old. The museum is not officially open, but you can look into it at any time as long as you are quiet – the villagers appreciate it very much.
And because I don't just want to list the usual tourist spots, I still have to add the small, but fine Altona Farmers Market that takes place every second Saturday in summer in the parking lot of the old cereal store. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade apple cakes and the notorious “Altona Honey”, which I personally do not quite understand because it is so sweet that it almost already remembers syrup – but hey, this is just a local favorite. Parking is a bit tricky here because most cars park right next to the stands, but a short walk of a few meters is not a drama.
If you ask yourself what else you can see in Altona, let me tell you that the Altona Attractions not ending in a list, but in the small encounters you have on the go – the friendly pitch of the baker, the loud horn of the tractor, the twittering of the birds above the crop field. I learned more about the real Indiana than I could have ever found in the big cities. So, next time you drive over the road and see the sign “Altona – 5 miles”, stop, get out and let yourself be surprised by the honest, slightly slanted facets of this community.
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