Fayette County Courthouse, Connersville Indiana
Courthouse clock tower on a calm early afternoon
travel
Historic 1901 Indiana school suffers extensive damage in 2022 fire
While on a recent day trip to Parke County, Indiana to enjoy the many covered bridges we came across a sad sight. A large sign explained that we were viewing the Wabash Township Graded School that was open from 1901 until 1986 in the town of Mecca.
Front face with bell tower
Main Entrance
A devastating fire occurred in November, 2022. This fire completely destroyed the pitched roof of the 1901 main building and the flat roof of the gymnasium that was a 1923 addition. Both roofs collapsed during the fire.
View of gym addition
Gym wall, roof gone
The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Following is from the original application for this listing: The architectural style of the 190l-l9l0 main section of the building shows Richardsonian Romanesque influence, which is evident in the bell tower, rock-faced lintels and voussiot’s, arched doorways and belfry openings…
Sign placed well before the fire
Local references report that sometime after the school closed in 1986 the structure was used as a community center. The fire damage that is visible is quite extensive. Rebuilding would be very costly, if not cost prohibitive.
John Conner founded Connersville, Indiana in 1813
John Conner founded Connersville, Indiana, when he laid out the town in March of 1813. The town was laid out next to Connor’s fur trading post on the Whitewater River. Conner was an important person in Indiana’s history, as he surveyed many towns and villages, including the layout of the then young city of Indianapolis.
Connersville has lots of history and historic sites to explore. We’ve just started our dive into Connersville!
The City of Connersville placed a memorial statue of Connor on a corner of the Fayette County Courthouse parking lot in 2017. Plaques listing Connersville’s history adorn the four sides of the statue’s large base.
Another Bison-tennial bison in Connersville Indiana
In 2016 Indiana celebrated its bicentennial of the 1816 year of statehood. One very unique way to celebrate was the distribution of at least one fiberglass bison to each of the 92 counties in the state.
“Monty” lives next to the courthouse.
In our travels over the years Sher and I have seen many of these delightful bison around Indiana. All have custom paintjobs with a variety of environments for the location of each bison. Our road trip today to Connersville lead to yet another Bison-tennial Public Art discovery.
Recreated 1874 one room schoolhouse in Parke County Indiana
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
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
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.
White’s Flea Market
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
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.
Sixty foot tall mural of Pacers Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller played college ball at UCLA and was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1987 in the 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall). Miller only played for the Pacers until he retired in 2005.
Standing at 60-ft tall, this is the tallest of the murals in downtown Indianapolis. Portraying Reggie Miller, one of the Pacers’ most renowned players. This creation by mural artist Pamela Bliss was completed in 2018. Bliss has created several striking murals in Indianapolis.
Reggie is taking one of his favorite shots on the Northeast corner of “The Mich” building address 127 E. Michigan St. The mural faces North Delaware Street. Boom Baby!
Roadtirement 