Columbus Indiana attractions

Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum

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When three Greek brothers opened Zaharakos as a candy store in Columbus, Indiana in 1900 they opened what has become one of the finest historic ice cream parlors in America. Located in the heart of downtown Columbus this shop has become a marvelous place to get ice cream treats, excellent dining and exposure to hundreds of original artifacts from the heydays of 1900 era soda fountains. In addition there are multiple original and replica mechanical music instruments.

The 50′ marble topped mahogany backed soda bar. This is where all those ice cream delicacies are created for your pleasure

Sher and I have enjoyed several trips to Zaharakos over the years including introducing family members to the wonderful treats with ice cream made on site. The restaurant menu is filled with classic Hoosier comfort food. Walking around the facility feels like being in a museum with all of the beautiful items from the history of soda fountains through the years.

Sher behind the counter of a second full soda fountain, with a Welte Machine on the left.

There are several mechanical musical instruments including the 1908 Welte orchestrion that play occasionally in the shop. The Welte machine is one of the few remaining that are still in their original location. The Banjo-Orchestra machine  arrived at Zaharakos June 26, 2013. This replica was built by the D.C. Ramey Piano Company in Marysville, Ohio.

I caught all but the first few bars of the banjo pickin’ classic.

Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor is without a doubt worthy of a visit when you are in or near Columbus. Always a delight to see, this unique store always goes overboard during holidays with beautiful seasonal decorations.  This is the Zaharakos website.

Columbus Indiana’s award winning Mill Race Park

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Columbus Indiana’s Mill Race Park is located on a flood plain on the west side of downtown. The award winning design takes that in account, for example, the restrooms are made to allow the annual flooding to flow through the glass block buildings with no damage.

Inside showing bridge trusses

One of my favorite parts of the park is the beautiful relocated covered bridge. Originally built in 1840 over the White River, it was rebuilt in 1995 at Mill Race Park. It remains the only Long Truss Structure in the state.

Columbus Indiana historic Crump Theater

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The Crump Theater began its long history in 1871 as a two story building named Keith’s Arcade. The Crump name came into the scene when John S. Crump purchased the building in 1889 and turned it into a large modern theater.

Crump marquee

Ticket booth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next big event took place in 1920 after a massive remodeling job that basically gutted the building and started from scratch. This work started at the stage and went to the 3rd Street sidewalk. The next work was another massive remodel in 1941 that resulted in the art deco exterior and interior styles you see today.

Crump History

Fund raising event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After several years of disuse, the Crump is currently in the midst of an active “Save The Crump” campaign including fund raising and live concerts on stage. This fine old facility is hopefully back on tract for a resurgence of activity.

Front entrance, ticket booth

As a footnote, it should be noted that stories of ghosts and other “paranormal” activities have been part of the Crump story for decades. Several investigations have taken place in the Crump. One ghost, known as “The Lady In Black”, is reported to make regular appearances on the same stairway.

The Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans

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A most remarkable scene will greet you when you observe the south lawn of the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Indiana. From the sidewalk you will see a series of tall stone columns. This is the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans. There are 25 columns, each 40 feet tall and positioned in a 5X5 foot grid. Recessed lights are positioned between the columns. Each column is rock cut Indiana limestone set on black granite.

The memorial is designed to be a tribute to those living and dead who answered our nation’s call during the twentieth century conflicts. It was dedicated in 1997. There are 156 names of local veterans engraved on the smooth sides of the columns. In addition to the names, there are inscriptions of letters sent home from veterans from their places overseas during the wars. Many of these were the last letters written home. Below the letters the date and places where they lost their lives are also recorded.

This memorial is really eye catching and remarkable to see. Allow for enough time to read the names engraved on the columns. Allow even more time to read the letters. So many of them are the last letters that the servicemen wrote home before they perished in combat. This is a most emotional memorial that brings home the gratitude you must express for our servicemen and women. Prepare to shed some tears.

Mill Race Park in Columbus Indiana

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Mill Race Park is situated where the Flat Rock and the Driftwood rivers join together on the west side of Columbus. The 35 acre park is an extremely popular place to walk, picnic, attend concerts, climb the tall observation tower or just simply enjoy a bit of Nature.

The bottom of the bridge is in the background

Duck enjoying the reflecting pond

 

 

 

 

 

Among the attractions at the park are a large reflecting pond ringed by sidewalks and benches. One side of the pond features the historic covered bridge. Columbus is known for its public art displays, and several are located in the park. One recent addition to the park landscape is a set of tall, wooden poles topped with bat nesting boxes. The poles are set in rock cairns for shelter of amphibians and reptiles.

Each provides shelter for bats, birds, amphibians and reptiles

The lovely pond, suitable for leisurely walks or resting

The brick “monument” with bronze info plaque (yes, that’s us)

The brick “monument” complete with an arch and flanked by a bronze information plaque is a highly visible structure. The plaque describes the mill race that ran through acreage. It also listed the many industries along the old mill race, including mills and brickyards. The Mill Race Park in Columbus is a delightful place. It is worth your visit.

 

Indiana’s only Long truss covered bridge

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This historic bridge has had quite the history. Originally constructed in Union County in 1840, this Long truss design covered bridge was built by Adam Mason and designed by Col. Stephen H. Long. Time passed, and the bridge was dismantled in 1974 and stored in Indianapolis.


 

 

 

 

The bridge was rebuilt at half its original length at the Mill Race Park in Columbus, Indiana. There the bridge provides both a one lane driving road and spans part of the water leading to a lovely pond circled by concrete sidewalks. Mill Creek Park is an extremely popular park close to downtown Columbus.

“Large Arch” public art in Columbus Indiana

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Columbus, Indiana is noted for its architecture and public art displays. One of the most impressive art pieces is a huge bronze creation titled Large Arch. It was installed in 1971, and was a gift from the J. Irwin Miller family to the library. It is located on the plaza outside of the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library. (J. Irwin Miller founded the Cummins Corporation.)

Library is the brick building in the left background

The following description is from a Wikipedia article: “Large Arch is an abstract bronze sculpture of an arch created by Henry Moore, an English artist. The shape of the sculpture suggests human hip and leg bones, while the negative space on the interior of the arch suggests an abstracted human torso with head. It is 19 feet 6 inches tall. The width of the sculpture at its base is 12 feet 3 inches wide, but is 13 feet 9 inches at its widest at the top. While the sculpture is hollow, it weighs approximately 11,000 lb (5,000 kg).”

This massive sculpture will certainly catch your eye. In the warmer weather people do enjoy the plaza next to the library.

 

An afternoon decadent treat

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Today was one of those days where you think that you ought to be doing something. About mid afternoon we both said almost simultaneously “Let’s get an ice cream!” Sher and I often think of ideas at the same time. I suggested that we go to Columbus, Indiana and visit the Zaharakos vintage Ice Cream Parlor for the second time. You can read about our visit last April here.

Single scoop butter pecan, hot fudge, whipped cream and cherry

Two scoops butter pecan, hot fudge, whipped cream and cherry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the drive to Zaharakos we discussed what we were going to order when we got to the Parlor. Hmmm… When we were there before we ordered lunch and said we’d be back for ice cream. Today was that day.

Ready to dive into those hot fudge sundaes!

What delicious sundaes we enjoyed! The butter pecan ice cream was the best I have ever tasted, and Sher agreed. The hot fudge was hot, not like some places. There was also a ton of the hot fudge, as it completely covered the bottom and sides of our dishes. This ice cream parlor was founded in 1900. The place is really an ice cream museum. There are many old soda fountains and several cases filled with the old flavor jars. In addition, there are several old mechanical “orchestra” machines.

Zaharakos since, yes, since 1900

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Part of the 50′ marble bar

Close up of the bar, note Tiffany Lamp with twin soda dispensers

We wanted to take a little drive yesterday just to get out of the house for a while. Wanting to find something new to do or see, we headed to Columbus, Indiana which is south of Indianapolis. Sher had found an ice cream parlor online that looked neat, and it certainly was!

Collection of antique soda fountains

Antique flavor dispensers

Enjoying a cherry fountain soda

At the second soda bar, Welte Orchestration on left

Zaharakos has been serving ice cream since 1900 in downtown Columbus. It is a most amazing place. It is in a way overwhelming with the beautiful 50 foot long marble soda bar, Tiffany lamp twin soda fountain and a museum of antique soda fountains and flavor dispensers.

We had planned on getting either sundaes or maybe shakes, but once we saw the menu we decided to have lunch instead. We started with old fashioned cherry fountain sodas just like the old days. Sher ordered the grilled avocado sandwich and I went with a thick breaded tenderloin. The food was excellent.

We had an absolute ball at Zaharakos. It was fascinating seeing all of the antique ornate soda fountains and the Welte Orchestration machines.

This place is truly a museum of both soda fountains and ice cream parlors. We will definitely return for a sundae or maybe a banana split! We saw them being prepared, but we were full from our lunch.