Visit Colfax Clinton Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Colfax, Indiana: Discover the Nature Parks "Feather Creek State Recreation Area" and "Shades State Park". Recreation in the "Indiana Beach Amusement & Waterpark". Tasty experiences at the "Midwest Wine Trail". A must!
Honestly, if you think that “Colfax Sights” are just an empty word, let me serve you a bit of history: Founded in 1857, named after the then Vice President Schuyler Colfax, the little town in the heart of Clinton County has more to offer than a few old brick houses and a sleepy township feeling. I crossed the dusty Highway 421 for the first time, because I thought it was a detour to Indianapolis – and landed in the middle of the historical core, where the old town hall still carries the echo of past election meetings.
A short trip by train (the Amtrak line does not stop here, but a short stroll to the nearby Clinton County Depot is a fun for nostalgics) leads you to the silent fields that form the backbone of the region. I don't quite understand the hype around the endless corn fields, but the panorama at sunset is really great and gives you the feeling of being part of a long forgotten agricultural romanticism.
If you want to sniff a bit of culture, look at the old library building – not a museum, but the sticking shelves tell more stories than some guides. And yes, this is one of the few places where I really take the word “Colfax Sights” seriously, because the everyday suddenly seems a bit magical.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Colfax is actually an inconspicuous, slightly weathered brick arch that overlooks the old main road cross – the “Colfax Sign” that has been standing there since the 70s and every time acts a bit like a sloping smile when you pass. I spent my first 30 minutes of my stay there, because parking there is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come by the locals on Saturday night to grill at the town hall – then this will be a real patience sample.
Directly next to this small monument lies the heart of the city: historical main road. The old brick shops that still have their original wooden showcases give you the feeling you had landed in a movie from the 40s. I don't quite understand the hype about modern shopping pills, but here you can get a handmade wooden toy, a freshly baked croissant and a self-made jam glass – and all this without losing the WLAN.
A few houses on, almost unnoticed, the Colfax Public Library. Yes, you've read correctly, a library in a city that has barely more than 2,000 inhabitants. I found an old photo album that documented the foundation of the city in 1869 – a real treasure for historians. The building is small, but the shelves are surprisingly well stocked, and the staff is so friendly that they almost borrow the book before you ever asked. Practical: The parking spaces behind the building are usually free as long as you are not there with the school children at noon.
If you are looking for something green, your path inevitably leads you to Colfax Community Park. The park is not just a national park, but it has a baseball court, a small playground stand and a roundabout that is perfect for a short walk after lunch. I once made a picnic, while a local high school team lost a game – that was a real mood skip, because the whole city suddenly cheered loudly when the opposing team made a mistake. Parking here is a children's game: a few free places right at the entrance, except for the weekends when the whole village hosts a barbecue.
Another jewel I can hardly overlook is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Gothic facade with its pointed windows almost looks like a miniature model of Notre-Dame, only without the tourist masses. I took part in a Sunday fair, because I was just looking for a place to rest, and the acoustics were so good that I thought the organ game was almost a live concert. The small cemetery behind the church is also worth a look because there are the graves of the founding families – a silent witness of the city history.
And then there is Colfax Train Depot, a tiny museum located in a former station building. I discovered an old railway model that still runs on rails and a few yellowed schedules that show how the city was once a hub for freight transport. The depot is not great, but the history that is exhibited there lets you reassess the importance of the railway for the growth of Colfax. Practical: The depot is located directly on the main road, so you can park your car there while inspecting the exhibits – only not on Friday night when the local model railway club takes place, then parking suddenly becomes a challenge.
If you now think that this is too little to Colfax Attractions to describe, then you are right – the city has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. But that's exactly what makes the charm: a mix of small, almost overlooked treasures that only become really alive when you take the time to discover them. And honestly, this is what I most appreciate at Colfax – the quiet, slightly cynical invitation to question the obvious and embrace the hidden.
I always start my little trip with the imposing Clinton County Courthouse, because the building is simply too beautiful to overlook it – a real pride of the city, which is like a stone monument to the too fast modern. The place before is usually empty except when a local politician tries to inspire the crowd; then there are some curious spectators and a few dogs that sniff the grass. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Friday night after the City Assembly – then parking becomes a small Survival training.
Just a few steps further, hidden behind an inconspicuous door, lies that Clinton County Historical Museum. I had my first real encounter with the history of Perry Township there when I accidentally stumbled into the exhibition about the local railway department and took almost an old, dusty ticket, which is supposed to still be a lucky charm. The exhibition is small, but each exhibit has a history that you do not find in every guide – for example the old barn gate, which once served as a escape route for smugglers. A short walk through the museum is completely enough to get the feeling that more has happened here than one would suspect at first glance.
When I get enough of dusty halls, I grab my bike and follow it Clinton River Trail. The path winds up along the river and offers always surprising views that you only get when you really make the effort to cycle a few kilometers. I remember a sunny afternoon when I was suddenly followed by a group of ducks who apparently thought I was a new roommate. This is the real Indiana – unpretentious, a bit wild and always ready to surprise you. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the starting point is usually easy, except for the weekends when the local joggers take over the field.
A short detour to the north leads me to Frankfort, where the historic city centre is almost like a set of films from the 1900s. The old brick buildings, the weekly peasant market and the charming café on the corner, which serves the best apple cake in the region, are a must. I met an old man there who told me that he was still driving to school as a child with the tractor – a conversation that reminded me of how closely past and present are interwoven here. Parking is available near the marketplace, but you should come early, otherwise you have to go to the street.
Next south, about half an hour drive, this is DePauw University Campus in Greencastle. I don't always understand the hype about college campus, but there is something that fascinates me every time: the mix of historical architecture and living student culture. I once participated in a spontaneous Poetry-Slam night where a student spoke about the “lost in the Middle West” – a moment that showed me that even in a small city like Colfax the world is not still. Parking is well regulated on the campus, but there is a little crowd at check times.
A bit further southwest, almost in the heart of the state, extends the Hoosier National Forest. I spent a weekend there to escape everyday life and was surprised how well the hiking trails are cultivated – a real contrast to the often unused field paths that you can find here. The forest not only offers tranquility, but also a few hidden bath lakes that invite to cool in the summer. I even saw a squirrel that was brave enough to steal a piece of nut while I took a picture. The entrance is free, and parking on the trailheads is usually easy as long as you are not there on the first Saturday of the month when the guided tours start.
Last but not least, Wabash River- Don't forget, which is just minutes away from Colfax. I have often thrown out my fishing because the water here is surprisingly clear and the trouts are almost too friendly. Once I caught a huge pike that was so big that I couldn't pull him out of the boat – a real adrenalinkick that reminded me that life here isn't just from silent fields. The shore is easily accessible via a small car park, which can be filled quickly on hot summer days, so better be there early.
So the next time you're in the area around Colfax, Perry Township, Clinton, Indiana, don't forget that the area has more to offer than just the small streets of the city. From historic buildings to lively campus atmospheres to untouched nature – there is something to discover for everyone. And that's exactly what makes Colfax Attractions to a surprisingly varied experience that you should not miss.
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