Honestly, if you're wondering why I'm talking about Schneider at all, that's because of his inconspicuous story that keeps me surprised. Founded in the late 1800s as a small railway hub, the village grew thanks to the nearby coal mines and the laminating West Creek – yes, that is the township I mean – to a tranquil town in the heart of Lake County, Indiana. The first time I saw the dusty train station when I arrived from Chicago by train; the ride was a bit like a time jump back to the era where every train was still a little adventure. Today it is best to drive by car over the US‐12, because the bus connections here are more a relic from the past – a short notice if you don't have a rental car, then take the regional bus to Hammond and get around, but be warned, the stop is hardly more than a sign in the field.
I don’t understand the hype about the “Schneider Sights” because the village is rather a quiet retreat, but that’s what makes the charm. The old half-timbered houses along Main Street have something authentic that you can find in vain in the crowded tourist centers. And if you're looking for a place where you can talk to locals about the weather and the best fishing spots at the Creek, you're right here. I discovered my favorite bench at the small park where you almost feel at sunset, the whole country belongs to you – no joke, that is pure idyll that you don't find in travel guides.
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 Schneider, 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 was Indiana Dunes National Parka piece of untamed nature that spreads like a dirty curtain in front of the industrial facilities of the Chicago hinterland. I spent a few hours stabbing over the sandy dunes while a wind from Lake Michigan shredded my hair – a feeling that you only know from old Western films. The park is huge, so plan enough time, otherwise you feel like a tourist who only wants to visit the souvenir shop.
A short trip to the south leads you to Miller Beach in Gary, where the water is surprisingly clear if you do not consider the city too much. I enjoyed a picnic there on the fine sand, while a few joggers passed by, who looked like they just had the last piece of cake in the office. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then fight for a place like the last place in the cinema.
Go on Bailly Homestead, a historical property that has more stories to tell than most museums in the area. The place was once the home of Jean Bailly, a French dealer, and today he is a museum that will give you the 19th. Century presented in miniature. I was there because I thought a bit of history could wipe my trip, and actually – the old tools and the creeping wood almost made me write a diary.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the city, lies this Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. This is where fairs, Rodeos and the annual County Fair event take place all year round. I visited the grounds on a quiet Tuesday when only a few farmers presented their tractors and a small children's carousel hummed quietly. This is the place where you can feel the real “Midwest feeling” without being overwhelmed by tourist crowds.
For those who prefer to travel on wheels, Calumet Trail A must. The cycle path stretches through old industrial areas, past quiet lakes and small villages, which are otherwise easily overlooked. I was running there for half an hour while I tried to ignore the quiet sum of power lines that almost sounded like a background choir to my own playlist.
A short detour to Hammond leads to St John the Baptist Catholic Church, an impressive brick church from the early 20th century. Architecture is a little exaggerated, but that makes the charm. I visited a fair there just to see if the acoustics are really as good as the locals claim – and yes, the organ actually sounds like a heavenly bass.
If you want a little water, that's Lake Michigan even the ultimate goal. A short jump into the cool wet on West Beach is refreshing, and the panorama over the lake makes you almost forget that you are in the heart of Indiana. I spent a few hours there because the water was easy to tempt, and I had to find that swimming here is almost as good as in Florida – only with few alligators.
All in all, the surroundings of Schneider offer a colourful mix of nature, history and local culture that surprises every traveller. The Schneider Attractions wanting to explore should not only be limited to the small town, but should plan the surrounding highlights – that makes the difference between a fleeting visit and a real adventure.
So, next time you climb over Highway 12 and suddenly see the sign “Schneider”, let’s first get over the Schneider Community Church talk – this is my personal favorite place, because it still smells like old wood and the organ sounds like someone put the volume on “God be Dank”. I once visited a Sunday service coffee meeting, and while I was sneaking my black coffee, I heard the pastor talking about the “good old time” – a bit cheesy, but honestly, this is the real Indiana feeling you don’t find in any hipster café.
Directly next to the church, almost unnoticed, this is Schneider Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery as a tourist attraction sounds like a macaber gag, but there are tombstones from the 1800s that tell more stories than some Instagram post. I discovered an old family name that I had randomly read in a genealogy forum – a little luck that gave me the feeling of being part of a long forgotten story. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the local amateur historian meeting will take place.
If you're looking for something green that doesn't just consist of lawn, look at this Schneider Park on. The park is small, but it has a playground that looks like he was saved from the 80s, and a picnic table where I once organized an improvised barbecue with a few locals. The children there have more energy than a Duracell-Hase, and this makes the whole kind of charming chaotic. I don't quite understand the hype about big city parks, but here you feel like a part of the neighborhood right away.
Another highlight I can't leave is that West Creek Township Hall. The building is not exactly an architectural miracle, but it is the administrative heart of Schneider, and there are most decisions that affect our small village. I took part in a public meeting where the new garbage collection route was discussed – a drama that was almost as exciting as a crime when considering the passion of the residents.
For those who have a bit of educational hunger, there is Schneider Elementary School. The school is part of the Crown Point Community School Corp, and although I am no longer a student, I have visited a classroom that still has the old wooden boards from the 70s. The teachers there are really great, and the school building has a small garden where the children grow vegetables – a bit like Farm-to-Table, just without the hip Instagram filters.
A short detour to Schneider Fire Department is also worth it. The volunteer fire brigade is the backbone of the community, and I once looked at a practice as the guys in their yellow trucks burst through the dusty roads. The sound of the sirens is almost calming because it says: “Here is someone who cares.” And yes, this is a real highlight if you want to feel that there is still real neighbourhood aid here.
Finally, if you ask yourself what else you can see in Schneider, then take a look at the Schneider Grain Elevator. The old grain silo has been on the edge of the city for decades and is a relic of the time when agriculture was the backbone of the region. I took a photo there that now hangs in my living room – a symbol that even the most inconspicuous structures have a history. And yes, this is one of the Schneider Attractionsthat you should not miss if you want to experience the real, unfailed Indiana.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
