Author: Roadtirementvintage

Recreated 1874 one room schoolhouse in Parke County Indiana

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Recently Sher, our son and I were enjoying a road trip in Parke County, Indiana to visit some of the 31 covered bridges that dot the landscape. As we approached the last bridge on the Red Route (one of five self driving road sightseeing tours) we saw a small red building.

The one room schoolhouse from 1874

Over the door

The Mecca Bridge reflected in a window

 

 

 

 

 

 

This single story frame structure was identified as a school in Wabash Township #3 with a date of 1874. It was about 30 yards from the Mecca Bridge built in 1873.

Blackboard, teacher’s desk. rocking chair and wood stove

Where the children sat and learned their three “R’s”

The school was locked, but I was able to peer through the windows and get decent photos. You can imagine the kids attending the school, with one teacher covering all of the grades.  No lights, no AC, and the only heat from a wood stove at the front of the room.

 

Parke County, Indiana, Covered Bridge Capital of the World

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Park County Indiana is home to two Indiana State Parks and the 2,110 acre Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area. In addition Parke County is home to 31 covered bridges, more than any other county in the nation. Rockville is the county seat and also is the starting point for 5 different well marked self driving road tours to see most of the 31 bridges.

The 245′ Bridgeton Bridge and associated mill, The bridge was burned by arson in 2005, rebuilt in 2006.

These historic bridges are fairly evenly scattered over the 444 square miles of the county. Every October over two million visitors converge on Parke County for the world famed 10 day Covered Bridge Festival. People come to see the bridges and shop any of the thousands of vendors who occupy building’s or temporary tents that sprout up allover the county.

Crooks Bridge, 132′ long, built in 1856 by Henry Wolfe

Neet Bridge, 125′ long, was built in 1904 by JJ Daniels

Note the Red Arrow. This shows the easy self driving tour routes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took the 34 mile long Red Route starting at the Rail Road Depot in Rockville. This drive brought us up close and personal to eight old covered bridges. Some we could drive across, some were closed to traffic with a new roadway running next to the bridge.

Harry Evans Bridge, 65 ‘ long, built by JA Britton in 1908

Showing the Burr-Arch support design of the Evans bridge. This design is found in 30 of the Park County bridges including one double Burr-Arch.

Our road trip to Parke County was, in our opinion, most successful. Along with our drive along the Red Route of covered bridges, we also had some other stops that we’ll share in other articles here. Just know this: a road trip to Parke County Indiana offers country roads and viewing historic bridges, enjoyable dining and shopping opportunities. Click here for the Park County Visitor’s Center website.

Indiana’s Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum

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The address is Hagerstown, Indiana, but the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum is out in the middle of Hoosier farmland. This fascinating museum has two different focuses: Wilbur’s birthplace and living conditions of the mid 1860’s and the success of Wilbur and Orville’s history making powered human flight at Kitty Hawk North Carolina in 1903.

Yes, that is the Wright Flyer in the background

The flight museum and other Wright Brothers artifacts are housed in a separate building next to the family home and the visitor center. The exciting focus of this is the full life size and historically accurate reproduction of the original “Wright Flyer”.

Floor level view of the Wright Flyer

Wright Flyer Specification Drawing

This construction of  the Wright Flyer was completed after referencing the original specifications drawings from the Smithsonian.  The plane and other displays are in a lower level providing a striking view as you stand on the landing at the top of a short flight of stairs.

Kitty Hawk Camp work shop and living quarters (note the cots pulled up in the rafters)

Kitchen in the shop/living quarters

In addition to the plane itself, this lower level display also includes a representation of the Brother’s Kitty Hawk Camp. Here is their work and living quarters while at the site of the flight tests. The building had work shop areas, kitchen facilities and sleeping cots that are pulled up during the day.

Also included is a display of 1900s storefronts, including the Brothers bicycle shop. We have been to the Kitty Hawk Park and Memorial, where there is a metal reproduction of the Flyer, Orville and Wilbur and other support folks. Seeing the repro plane at this museum was a thrill, as it is of the original materials.

It is remarkable that a mere 66 years after Wilbur and Orville’s first flight man was walking on the moon. Take a trip to the Wilbur Wright  Birthplace Museum. You’ll be amazed at the quality and quantity of the displays.

Wilbur Wright birthplace in Indiana

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Wilbur and his brother, Orville, built the first model airplane in 1899. In 1903 they achieved the first successful powered flight at Kitty Hawk, NC.

Yesterday (Aug. 2025) we visited the birthplace of Wilbur Wright. The house and museum is located in Hagerstown, IN.

Front of house
Desk inside
Across the other side in the first room
Notice Family photos above couch
Bedroom
Kitchen

There was an upstairs bedroom, we didn’t go upstairs because the steps were steep. Our son was able to go up and down with no problem.

Such an interesting place to visit. More photos of the museum to follow in next article

White’s Flea Market

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White’s farm is located in Brookville, Indiana. Every Wednesday they have a flea market.

Entrance sign

They are open every Wednesday, year-round, from daylight until noon. They have indoor and outside booths. We like setting up our treasure finds there. One of our retirement adventures is going to yard sales and auctions. We also have an eBay store.

One vendor’s tables

This trailer turns into their sales spot

$3 treats of all kinds

White’s is a nice, friendly place. The flea market opens at daybreak. We try to arrive around 5AM, that gives us time to set up and grab coffee. They have breakfast reasonably priced if you’re hungry.

Rent a barn and set up each week

Large field, only $15 for a 20×24’ space

Snapping turtle head on a walking staff. (You never know what you’re gonna find at White’s)

At this market you’ll find things you need as well as items to simply enjoy–antiques, new items, crafts, used merchandise, and fresh produce. Parking is free of charge and no charge to enter. Click here for White’s Website.

Indiana Audubon Society’s Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary

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We had been out picking up some items we had bought at an online auction last Saturday. Sher had already checked for “Things to do in Connersville” and an interesting bird watching place popped up. So after we picked up the items from the auction we had a 25 minute drive through farmland. The auction was north of town, and the birding place was south. It seemed like our destination was truly out in the middle of nowhere.

Easy to spot entrance

The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is located south of Connersville in Fayette County, Indiana.  Alice Green Gray gave the initial 264 acre property to the Indiana Audubon Society in 1943 as a living memorial to her daughter Mary, who preceded her in death. Another Gray relative and Society members have made possible the acquisition of more property so that the Sanctuary now has 723 acres.

The road into the sanctuary grounds is a fairly long drive which immediately puts you in the middle of a semi dense woods. It truly allows you to prepare for atonement with Nature.

It was extremely hot that day. In fact an official weather service Heat Advisory was in effect. It became apparent as soon as we got out of the car that it was going to be a very unpleasant day to successfully do any birdwatching. In addition to the heat, a plethora of insects was present and quite annoying buzzing around.

Bench seating at the amphitheater

We will definitely return when the conditions are much more conducive to for a comfortable and safe bird watching adventure. There are many features within this sanctuary. There is a bird watching blind where you can observe the many stocked feeders and not be seen. Ponds and native trees provide a perfect chance to immerse yourself in communing with Earth. Click here for the MGBS website.

The Pyramids, an Indianapolis landmark since 1972

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Construction began in 1967 on the first of three unique 11 story buildings for the College Life Insurance Company. The architectural firm of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates was hired to design the Insurance company’s expected need for a headquarters complex. This style of design is often called Brutalist architecture.

Signage plus Landscaping

Facing South

Facing North

Each Pyramid is eleven stories, each with an L-shaped concrete core facing the north and west. The concrete supports each floor. The south and east facing exteriors are covered in reflective glass. The concrete sections contain restrooms and elevators.  The floors themselves are airy, well lit via the two wide walls of windows in each structure.  Ownership has changed hands several times, and as of this writing there is “For Lease” signage displayed.