Wheatland Attractions? Yeah, that sounds almost like an advertising slogan, but I promise there are more than just a few field signs. The story of this little spot in the heart of Indiana begins in 1830, when brave pioneers colonized the fertile land of today's Steen Townships in Knox County and named it after the golden-yellow branches that dominated the valley at that time. I remember driving the train from Indianapolis to the dusty US-41, which runs directly through the township – a short stop, and the village is in front of one, as if the time here had been a bit slower.
Honestly, people here aren't exactly the loudest tourist magnets, but that makes the charm. I was friends with the local baker who told me that the old grain mill building from the 1850s is still standing and today serves as a meeting point for the weekly coffee round – a perfect place to sniff the real land life without being overrolled by Instagram filter green. When you arrive by car, take the State Road 57; it leads you through gentle hills, past fields that still paint the image of a long past era. And yes, I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here, between the quiet fields and the friendly faces, I find a rest that you rarely find in guides – a real piece of Indiana that you experience, not only reads.
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 Wheatland, 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 George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Vincennes, only about 30 miles northeast of Wheatland. I have to admit, the whole “Pionier-Hype” seems a bit exaggerated here, but the huge monument that honours the famous Frontiersman has some charm – especially when you see the sun glittering over the Wabash River in the summer. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night with the families from the whole south-west, then the field full of picnic blankets becomes quickly a battlefield.
A short detour into the heart of Vincennes leads me into the Vincennes Historic District, where the old bank building from 1808 serves as a museum. I learned more about the early financial transactions in the region than I ever thought necessary – and that with a coffee I sneaked in the small cafeteria next door. The cracking halls and the scary light give you the feeling that you have landed in another time, and that's a real plus for me because I prefer to hang around in modern glass towers.
Just a couple of blocks waiting Knox County Historical Society Museum. Here a bunch of enthusiastic historians collect everything they can find: from old maps to dusty farm tools. I almost caught myself in a corner because I admired an antique saw blade that was supposed to come from one of the first settlers. The museum is small, but this makes it all the more cozy – and parking? Right outside, no stress.
The Wabash Riverfront Park is my personal favorite place to let the soul dangle after a day of museum visits. The river sounds majestic, and the wooden bench I discovered there offers the best view of the sunset. I even met a few locals who told me that fishing here has been a family ritual for generations. Those who have a bike can explore the well-developed paths along the river – this is definitely a highlight that I would put to the heart of every traveler.
A little further south, about 25 miles from Wheatland, lies the Patoka Lake. I saw the water there for the first time in the late summer when a light fog lay above the lake and the boats floated like ghosts. This is a place where you can fishing as well as boating, and the campground is surprisingly well equipped – at least if you don't arrive at the weekend with all the families from the Middle West, then the bathing country will quickly become the battlefield of the children.
For nature lovers who want to wander a bit off the beaten paths, this is Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge a real secret tip. I've seen a few rare bird species that I only know from bird guides. The visitor center is small, but informative, and parking is directly at the entrance – no gedo, just get out and take off.
A short jump across the border to Illinois leads me to Cave-in-Rock State Park. The name sounds like a Western film, and it is also – only without cowboys, for it with an impressive rock gorge that looks over the Ohio River. I spent a few hours climbing the steep paths, and the view was definitely worth it. The parking lot is large enough to survive the weekend with a few friends, and the visitor center offers a few nice brochures if you want to learn more about the history of the area.
Whether you are looking for history, nature or just for a quiet place on the water – the surroundings of Wheatland, Township of Steen, Knox, Indiana have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. The mix of historical sites, picturesque river banks and hidden natural paradises makes every visit a small adventure. And that's exactly what makes Wheatland Attractions to a worthwhile destination for those who want to experience the authentic Indiana.
So, next time you drive over Indiana's dusty country roads, take a trip to Wheatland in the Township of Steen – this is my personal favorite place because the real “Midwest feeling” has not yet been overwhelmed by Hipster-Cafés. My first goal is always Wheatland Community Park, a small piece of green that has more charm than one would suspect at first glance. The park is located directly on the main road, parking is almost always a Klack, except on Sundays, when the local football team stops their training and suddenly cars are everywhere. I made a picnic there once, while a tractor ran past and played the cow bells like an improvised soundtrack – no joke, that was almost romantic.
A short walk further (about five minutes via the gravel road) leads you to Old Wheatland Schoolhousewhich today serves as a small museum. The walls are still covered with faded chalkboards, and I swear I heard the echo of children's voices, which once called "E=mc2". The exhibition is not exactly spectacular, but it gives an honest insight into the school life of the 1950s. Practical: The door is always open, so you can check in at any time as long as you don't just steal the last piece of cake from the school kitchen.
Go on St. John Lutheran Church, a red brick building that has beaten the heart of the municipality for over a hundred years. I don't quite understand the hype about church visits, but here the organ is really something special – an old instrument that is still tuned by hand. Last time I was there, the pastor gave a little concert after the divine service, and I wondered if I should not build a little more spirituality into my blog.
A few steps further Wheatland Cemeterya quiet place that tells more stories than any museum. The tombstones are artistically decorated, and I found an old veterans, whose name I later made in a book about local history. The terrain is well maintained, parking is possible at the edge of the cemetery, and if you are lucky, you hear the quiet rustling of oaks that almost works like a whisper of the past.
If you are interested in history, you may Steen Township Historical Society Museum do not miss. It is not a huge building, rather a rebuilt warehouse, full of old tools, photos and newspaper articles. I found an old diary that comes from a farmer from the 1920s – a real find that made the image of Wheatland even more alive as an agricultural heart of the state. The museum has no fixed opening hours, but volunteers usually open the door after lunch, as long as the weather is not too wet.
Another highlight I repeat every year is the Wheatland Farmers Market (just called the market). It takes place every second Saturday in the summer in the parking lot of the municipal center. There are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and Mrs.'s infamous maize bread skating. Henderson, I'm always trying, even though I know I'm taking too much sugar. Parking is a bit tricky here because the stands are close to the cars, but a short walk of a few meters is enough to get a good place.
Last but not least, a place that the locals lovingly call “the old grain silo”: a rusty but impressive building at the intersection of County Road 200 N and 300 E. It is not a museum, but a relic from the time when Wheatland was still a significant grain exporter. I made a photo that now hangs in my living room because the light through the rusty plates creates an almost mystical flair. Parking is a children's game here because the terrain around the silo is hardly used – perfect if you are looking for a bit of seclusion.
If you now think it's too much, don't let yourself be fooled: Wheatland Attractions are not exaggerated, they are simply a piece of real Indiana landscape that you should not have missed. And if you're wondering if you've missed something – I feel like I keep discovering new corners when I just stroll through the streets and breathe the scent of hay and fresh coffee.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
