Honestly, if you think that "English" is just a word in the dictionary, then you haven't heard the story of English, Indiana yet. Founded in the early 1830s by a handful of English-style pioneers who wanted to create a piece of home in the wild Midwest, the town today has more charm than a dusty history book. I like to sit in the old diner on Main Street while the sun goes over the gentle hill of Sterling Township, and wonder why people still talk about “good old time” – that was never as glamorous as the locals claim.
A short detour with Highway 64, which I usually take because it has less traffic than the highway, takes you to the heart of Crawford County. There, between fields and a few scattered barns, you will find the “English sights” that I personally appreciate most: the old post office, which still carries the echo of the first letters, and the small cemetery leg, where the graves tell more stories than some city tours. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest fair, but the local craft next to the feast is really great – handmade ceramic that you don't find in any souvenir shop. And if you ask yourself how to come here: a short stop in the nearby town of Marengo, a little road and you are in the middle of the quiet, slightly worn life of English.
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The first stop I could hardly miss was that Hoosier National Forestthat lays like a green curtain around the small country roads and gives everyone who leaves the asphalt the feeling of finally seeing something real Indiana. I spent half a day on the trail “Cedar Creek”, where the rustling of the leaves was almost louder than my inner monologue about the meaninglessness of some Instagram posts. Parking is usually a Klacks – a few loose pebbles at the entrance and you are in the middle of the forest, only on Saturday night, when the hunting group shows up with its off-road vehicles, it becomes a bit narrow.
A short detour to the south leads to Patoka Lake, the only great lake in the south of Indiana that seems to have more boats than people. I rented an old, squeaky kayak there, because the expensive motorboat seemed to be too touristy, and I rode over the smooth waves, while an angler, beside me, spoke loudly about the size of his catch. The beach is not spiced with palm trees, but the clear water and the possibility to make a campfire in the evening (if you have permission), make the place a real secret tip. Parking is well signposted at the main entrance, only on the weekend you can stand in the snake for a few minutes.
Only half an hour further O'Bannon Woods State Park, a paradise for mountain bike fans and for those who like to look for mushrooms in the underwood. I remember the moment when I stumbled over a fallen tree and pushed almost a mole out of the nest – a short scare, but then I laughed loud, because the whole is so typical of my “adventure”. The paths are well maintained, the visitor center has a small kiosk with coffee, and parking is almost never a problem thanks to the wide access road.
A little further east, almost like a small time jump, lies that Lincoln State Park. Here the young Abraham Lincoln has spent his youth years, and the museum on site tells the story with more dust than shine – but this is exactly what I appreciate in such places. I rented an old wooden boat there and I was slapped over the lake while I imagined Lincoln might think about the future. The park is well signposted, parking is free, and the picnic places offer a view of the water that is almost as soothing as the sum of the barbecues in the evening.
A short detour to the west leads to Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, a true paradise for birdwatchers and for those who like to find “still” moments in nature. I've discovered a rare red-collar girl there, who pulled me completely in the spell for a few minutes before I walked back to my car. Access is possible via a small, unconsolidated path, and parking is just a small, sandy parking – perfect if you don't have much luggage.
Finally, almost like a small bonus, there is that Crawford County Historical Museum something outside of English. The museum is small, but the exhibitions about local history – from the railway to the first settlers – are surprisingly well curated. I found an old diary that came from a farmer from the 1880s and had to smile because his concerns about the harvest were almost identical to today’s Instagram posts about “#farmtober”. Parking is right in front of the building, a small asphalt site that is rarely full, unless there is a local festival.
So, the next time you think about where you want to spend your time in Indiana, forget about the usual cities and look at the surroundings of English, Sterling Township, Crawford – there is enough English Attractions, who have something to offer for nature lovers as well as those interested in history, and all this with a portion of local irony that really does the whole thing.
I have to confess to you: what I love about English, Sterling Township, is the old Town Hall. The building has been there since the city had a few horse cars and a post office, and looks like someone just accidentally pushed the time to rest. When you get there, you'll hear the thief's fool that reminds you that real decisions were made here before – not only if the new café has the best cake. Parking is usually a Klacks, unless you arrive there on Friday night after the weekly Bingo, then the field in front of the town hall becomes a battlefield.
A short walk down the main road leads you to English Methodist Church. I don't quite understand the hype about church architecture, but this little brick building has something unpredictable that makes me think a bit every time. The windows are so clear that you almost feel that the church would watch you from a distance – a bit like a silent judge, only without the robe. If you're lucky, the pastor will let you in a coffee after worship because the village is so small that everyone knows.
A few houses further stands what I love English School nenne – an old classroom that now serves as a community centre. I once experienced a poetry slam where a 78-year-old pensioner spoke about his lost sock. No joke, the audience was thrilled because everyone stays a bit of a child. Parking is a bit more tricky here because the old school grounds only have a small parking lot, but this is part of the charm, right?
If you are interested in history, you must visit the Crawford County Historical Museum – this is the only museum I know that is housed in a former bank building. The exhibition is not just huge, but the artefacts, from old oil barrels to handwritten diaries of the founders, give you the feeling that you really immerse yourself in the past. I once discovered an old photo of me as a child that my parents posing in the garden of English – a little coincidence that made the museum more personal.
A little bit of nature? The Patoka River is not far from the city and offers the best fishing opportunities I have ever seen. I caught a huge cash on a hot summer day, which was almost as big as my bike. The water is clear enough that you can see the fish before you catch them – a bit like a live stream, only without the annoying buffering. Access is free, but bring your own chairs, because the few benches are usually occupied by local enthusiasts.
A small but fine place I look over again and again is the English Public Library. Yes, that is really a place where you can borrow books, and yes, that is in a city where the word “library” is almost a relic from another era. Nevertheless, the library has a cozy reading chair that invites you to waste a few hours – and this is exactly what I appreciate about English attractions: they let you slow the pace without feeling guilty.
For those who like to find some rest, there is the English Cemetery. Sounds macaber, but the old tombstones tell stories you wouldn't find in any guide. I once found a veteran, whose inscription says that he is “still looking for the best pancake”. This made me smile because it shows that even here, where time seems to stand still, people still have dreams.
Finally, a short note: the English Community Park is a nice place to make a picnic if you are looking for something green. The playground is small, but the swing is surprisingly stable – a perfect place to swing the children (or yourself if you feel youthful) a bit while you let the view over the fields. And if you're in English the next time, don't forget to just stroll along the street and enjoy the little details – that's the real secret I'm always discovering here.
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