Backyard Adventures

Gibson County Overview Gibson County, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, is the heart of Southwestern Indiana—at the intersection of Interstate 64 and U.S. 41. away from it all. Check out www.azaleapatharboretum.org for directions. the early 1900s. Go online at www.lylesstation. org for more information. Between festivals, check out some local attractions that call Gibson County home. There are plenty of festivals, one-of-a-kind restaurants, exciting places to discover, and quaint shops awaiting you in your search for some fun and some relaxation. Visitors Center Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Princeton Depot The Azalea Path Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Sure to be a favorite stop. This privately owned facility offers more than 50 acres and more than 2,000 varieties of azaleas, plus a large variety of unusual plants and native Indiana trees in a beautifully landscaped setting, with two spring-fed lakes, a waterfall, a koi pond and unique chainsaw sculptures. For added comfort, there are benches perched along the beautifully landscaped trails winding throughout the grounds. It's a peaceful way to get Daviess County Daviess County, which straddles U.S. 50 in eSouthern Indiana, offers a unique spectrum of flife—on both the business side and personal side of life. On the one side, more than 700 Old Order Amish families call Daviess County home fand welcome tourists to their favorite hometown restaurants, inns, auctions, flea markets and special community events. On the other is the growing WestGate at Crane Technology Park—a marketplace for defense contractors currently providing technical support, research and development services to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, in Southern Indiana. d , u Knox County History comes alive in Vincennes and Knox -County. Just about every step around the -county seat of Vincennes offers a glimpse back ainto time. Vincennes—Indiana's first city—was -founded in 1732 as a French fur trading post. Today, the city boasts a number of historical attractions, including the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park; the Old Cathedral Complex: Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, and French and Indian Cemetery; the Old French House and Indian Museum; Grouseland—William Henry Harrison Mansion and Museum; the Indiana Military .Museum; and the Vincennes State Historic Sites of the Indiana Territory Capitol, Jefferson Acadeemy, Elihu Stout Print Shop and the Maurice Thompson Birthplace. eVincennes is also home to Indiana's first college—Vincennes University, which was founded in 1801. The university offers more than 200 ase sociate degrees and certificate programs, plus seven bachelor degree programs, with several d campuses around the state, including Jasper, Indianapolis and now Fort Branch. t Dubois County The Dubois County Visitors Center & Tourism Commission is certainly on to something when Here, you'll discover Southwest Indiana's industrial heritage. See Gibson County's own Toyota manufacturing facility, and the Toyota Production System, up close and in depth. Admission is free and Visitors Center hours vary, so look online at www.tourtoyotaindiana.com for more information. Lyles Station Historic School & Museum Stands as one of the last remaining AfricanAmerican settlements in the Hoosier state, so a visit to the Lyles Station Historic School & Museum, located west of Princeton, is a definite visit for any traveler. The Heritage Classroom even provides area students the opportunity to experience a day in the life of school children in Step inside the beautifully restored depot in downtown Princeton—the county's only remaining depot structure. It features a railway museum and a restored train caboose. The depot is also home to the Gibson County Visitors Center, so it's a great stop for a tour and information. Gibson Co. Courthouse Just a few blocks down from the Princeton Depot is the most significant historical structure in the county. If the courthouse looks familiar, that's because it was used as the model for the Dept. 56 Original Snow Village Courthouse. The courthouse recently underwent a needed make-over with its heating and air-conditioning system being updated, along with some electrical upgrades. New Generation Dairy Farm New Generation is located in the southwestern part of the county. School groups regularly tour the farm and discover how milk gets from the farm to the dinner table. Presently, the dairy milks more than 1,200 cows, three times a day. For tours, call 812-729-7300. Gibson County is also home to two remaining covered bridges. Red Bridge over Big Bayou Creek in southern Gibson County was built in 1875. The Wheeling Bridge, spanning the Patoka River northeast of Princeton, was built in 1877. In 2000, the Wheeling Bridge under went a major renovation, which included beautiful new landscaping, courtesy of the Gibson County Master Gardeners. And of course, the Gibson County Fairgrounds are worth checking out. Whether there's a festival, a concert, or some other event, the fairgrounds are likely as not to have something going on throughout the year. Other Counties it describes Dubois County as: "Geographically centered between casinos, coasters and caves, Amish and Abe (Lincoln); connected to culture, recreation; arts and architecture; your complete getaway." There's plenty to do and see while in Dubois County and the surrounding area. In fact, the area provides a great backdrop for a variety of backyard adventures. Some of the items that should be on every visit Dubois County list includes the: Spirit of Jasper Train & Jasper Train Depot, where you can get aboard the Spirit of Jasper for a scenic excursion from the Jasper Train Depot; The Grotto at the Providence Home in Jasper, which is the work of a priest who labored for 12 years to create a beautiful and spiritual landscape made of colorful geode stones from Southern Indiana; and the Jasper City Mill, which was recently re-constructed to resemble the former mill that once stood near the Patoka River, this new structure is the latest addition to the "Old Jasper" district. While there's plenty to do and see throughout Dubois County, every trip must leave time for a little shopping. If you love unique shops that offer a one-of-a-kind gift, you are in the right place. Spend a day browsing Huntingburg's antique and specialty shops along Huntingburg's Fourth Street Shopping District and Historical Walking Tour. This charming Victorian downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are more than two dozen locally owned antique and specialty shops in this historic business district. The walking tour takes you back to the 1800s and early 1900s, with brick-paved sidewalks and 1800s facade, it provides a lovely setting for many special events throughout the year. Orange County There's a little of bit of everything in Orange County—glamour, history and relaxation. Here you'll find unique shopping, historic train rides, an indoor water park, horseback trail rides, carriage rides, nature trails, and scenic boat cruises. the Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza; and the Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum. Century-old iconic hotels, French Lick Springs and West Baden Springs, are always worth a quick visit. Walking tours are offered on a daily basis. You'll also find the casino at French Lick, a restored historic courthouse, and a variety of historical sites and tours. Vanderburgh County Posey County There's big city life and rolling countryside sideby-side in Vanderburgh County. The county seat of Evansville serves as the center of commerce, culture and entertainment for both the county and the Tri-State. Today, the city serves as a medical and service hub for the Tri-State and is the third largest city in the state. Start the Indiana portion of the Ohio River Scenic Byway in Posey County. This meandering road snakes alongside the Ohio River. Along the way, you will discover antique shops, artist studios and farmer's markets. The county also offers golf courses, parks, pools, water slides and other recreational facilities for hiking, biking, canoeing, ice skating and skateboarding. While you are in the area, stop off in New Harmony, which sits on the banks of the Wabash River. An experiment in Utopian living took place here in the nineteenth century. Near historic New Harmony, Harmonie State Park honors two historic communities which existed here – the Rappites and the Owenites. On the shores of the Wabash River, the park offers camping, hiking, picnicking, a boat launch, bridle trails and cabin rental. Warrick County Spencer County Spencer County really is where America comes to celebrate Christmas. It is home to the town of Santa Claus—which boasts the only post office in the world to have the Santa Claus name. This holiday-themed town is filled with the Christmas spirit all year round, from a threeweekend Christmas celebration in December to playing golf at the Christmas Lake Golf Course, having a blast at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari theme park to camping at Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort. Lincoln's Indiana Boyhood Home, where young Abe lived from age 7 to age 21, is also a worthwhile stop. Places to check out are: the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial; Lincoln State Park; Warrick County officials often take pride in the fact that the county seat of Boonville is known as the place where Abraham Lincoln learned the law. This growing county, east of Vanderburgh County, is quickly spreading west towards Evansville, while Evansville continues to spread east towards Warrick County. Any trips to Warrick County should include the following stops: Downtown Newburgh, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, Yellow Banks Recreation Center, Scales Lake Park and the Warrick County Museum. Wabash County, ILl Situated on the banks of the Wabash River, across from Gibson County, Wabash County offers a little something for everyone. The area is home to Beall Woods State Nature Preserve, which is the largest tract of virgin hardwood timber east of the Mississippi. There are numerous trails and a visitor's center at the "Forest of the Wabash," near Keensburg. Visiting stores on Market Street in downtown Mount Carmel or visiting the Wabash County Museum are also worth a few extra minutes. BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2013 Pike Publishing 5

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