Honestly, if you're looking for Kendallville landmarks, you'll have to understand that this city has more history than you're at first sight: founded in 1836 by John Kendall, it grew from a small wooden camp to a pulsating center in the heart of Wayne Township, Noble County. I saw the old town hall – a red brick building that today serves more as an administrative building, but still sprays the flair of a 19-century castle.
A short trip by car (the I‐69 is practically around the corner, and a bit of strolling over the US‐33 brings you to the city centre) leads you to the small cafés I love because they have more character than most chains. There you sit, drink a coffee, and listen to the quiet sum of the city, which somehow swings between rural tranquility and light urban trout. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual autumn parade, but the next-located artisans business is really great – handmade ceramics that you don't find in any supermarket.
If you have a little time, take a look at the old railroad rails in the city park; they tell of a time when Kendallville was a hub for freight transport. And yes, this is another example of why I rediscover the Kendallville sights – they are small, but they have personality.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was Pokagon State Park, a piece of untamed nature, which extends just a short walk from Kendallville over the road. I must admit that I cannot fully understand the whole hype around the “big national parks”, but here, between the gentle hills and the glistening Lake James, you suddenly feel like a 19th explorer. Century – only with better Wi-Fi. The visitor center is an old wooden shed that has more charm than some city library, and parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't get out of the surroundings with the whole family clique on Saturday night. I tried the famous “Treetop Adventure Course” there; the ropes are stable, but the hesitation to jump over the dizzying height was a real adrenalinkick – no joke.
A short trip to Auburn brought me to the Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, which is for me the Mecca of Old Timer fans. The shiny Duesenbergs stand there like stone witnesses of an era in which cars had a little more style and less “Click-Klack-Bumm”. I don't quite understand the hype about the expensive showrooms, but here you can hear the engines that are not yet suffocated by modern emission regulations – a sound that almost nostalgic. The museum is located directly on the main road, so parking is virtually always free, except when a local class meeting takes place, then the field is quickly full.
The Grand River Trail is my personal favorite place when I look for a quiet round without crowds. The path stretches along the river, past old mill ruins and small bridges that have more charm than any Instagram location. I once made a picnic, while an older gentleman came by with a fishing hat and told me that he has been fishing here since his childhood – a real Indiana moment. The trail is accessible for free, and parking at the entrance is usually an empty field as long as you don't get to school classes at noon.
A walk through the historic city centre of Auburn is like a leap in the 1900s, only that the cafés now serve Latte-Macchiatos instead of milkshakes. The old brick buildings, the old railway depot and the small boutiques give the place an almost film-ready flair. I visited the “Auburn Train Depot” there, which today houses a small museum; the original signs are still there, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are part of the story. Parking is available near the main square, but on Friday night, when the local music scene blossoms, it can become narrow – a good argument to come early.
A little off, but definitely worth a detour, is Miller’s Farm, a family-run farm that becomes a small market in summer. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade jams and the best corn flask I've ever tasted – sweet, crisp and with a pinch of nostalgia. I remember lying there with my uncle in the hay when I was a child and felt the sun on the face; Today the whole is a bit more touristy, but the smile of the owners remains unchanged. Parking is a field behind the farm, which is usually free as long as you don't look past the Thanksgiving Festival, then it becomes a little mess.
Last but not least a short trip to Lake James State Park, which is not to be confused with the lake of the same name in Pokagon State Park. This lake is located a bit further north, but the ride is worthwhile if you want to paddle a bit or just relax on the shore. I rented a kayak there and enjoyed the calm water surface, while the sun slowly went down – a picture that is not found in every guide. Parking is free at the main entrance, but on hot summer days the places fill up quickly, so better to be there early.
Next time you think about what you can experience in the area of Kendallville, Wayne Township, Noble, Indiana, remember: Kendallville Sights are not the biggest, but they have character, history and a bit the certain something that will make you return again and again.
I have to confess that what I'm like Kendallville City sign, actually, is just an old brick building that has refused to be modern since 1885 – and that is exactly what I love about it. I was standing there on a rainy Tuesday, because the weather here is always a bit moody and wondered why the city administration still works in a place with so little space for an elevator. Parking is usually easy, except on the first Friday of the month when the City Hall meeting suddenly mutates to the City Festival and turns the street into a park chaos.
A few blocks further Kendallville Public Library, a place I like to sign as the “hearted centre” of the city – not because heart attacks are constantly happening here, but because the kids talk loudly about their latest gaming success while I'm in the corner with a dusty crime. I once discovered a reading circle for adults that discussed more local politics than literature, and that was a real eye opener. Parking behind the building is a labyrinth, but if you use the small, barely observed entrance on the west side, you will almost always find a free space.
Now comes my personal favorite spot Kendallville Historical Museum. The museum is housed in the old court building – yes, the same, the former court held and now collects rumors about ghosts. I was there on a sunny Saturday afternoon, when an older gentleman told me that the original courtroom torch still cries when you walk over it. No joke, the sound is almost as loud as the kids' circle in the playground next door. And while I was strolling through the exhibitions, I noticed that the museum was Kendallville Sights is not necessarily found in guidebooks because they are too small to look big, but too big to overlook.
If you're looking for something that takes you out of the dusty museum, go to Kendallville City. The park is a bit like a Swiss pocket knife: playground, lake, hiking trails and a barbecue area, which is overrun every weekend by families who want to present their barbecue arts. I remember a summer when I accidentally climbed into a children's carousel because I thought it was an art work. That was embarrassing, but the kids found it great and I got a free ice cream from a nice mother. Parking is available around the main entrance, but if you arrive in the late afternoon, you will have to fight for a place with the parents – a real social experiment.
A short detour to Kendallville Farmers Market is almost obligatory if you want to taste the real life here. The market opens on Fridays and Saturdays, and the offer fluctuates between fresh vegetables that you can barely recognize, and handmade ceramics that you do not need, but necessarily want. I bought a pumpkin there that was so big that I hardly got it through the door – that was a real workout moment. Parking is a bit chaotic because most visitors just park on the surrounding streets, but this is part of the charm, right?
For those who believe that golf is just something for rich snout, there is Kendallville Country Club. I've done a couple of blows there because I thought a little fresh air would lift my mood. The place is well maintained, the green is so smooth that you almost feel you play on a carpet. The club is a bit exclusive, but if you're kind enough to introduce yourself, the placekeeper will sometimes let you welcome you with a "welcome to the club, you're one of us now". Parking is available directly at the clubhouse, and this is a lucky case because the surrounding residential area otherwise leaves hardly any room for visitors.
A walk through the Downtown Historic District is like a little time jump. The old shop fronts, which still carry their original shields, give the neighborhood a charm you can only find in movies. I once discovered a café that supposedly serves the best apple cake in the region – I tried it and can confirm that it is actually better than what I find in most big cities. Parking is a bit of a gamble here because the streets are often blocked by cars that seem to never want to leave.
At the end of my little tour through Kendallville I still have to St John the Baptist Catholic Church mention. The church is an architectural jewel from the early 20th. Century used not only for worship, but also for concerts and art exhibitions. I was there at a small chamber concert that was surprisingly good – the acoustics in this old room is just fantastic. Parking is a bit limited, but if you come early enough, you will find a place on the small courtyard behind the church.
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