I was in the Franklin area for a work obligation and finally made it over to see the famed "Grave…read morein The Middle of The Road." One of the more unique graves around, this grave nearly always shows up on any list of Indiana's most unique roadside attractions. Of course, this isn't "roadside." It's in the middle of the road and serves as a sort of divider in the road. The grave is for Nancy Kerlin Barnett, married to William Barnett. Fun fact: William was the great great great grandson of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. Nancy passed away on 12/1/31. She was buried here - a place that used to be a hill overlooking Sugar Creek. Over the years, the area became a small cemetery. Eventually, a small footpath was made. Finally, they wanted to put a small county road here. While it's not certain, it's believed that most graves in the area were moved. However, Nancy's grave stuck around as one of the son's protested moving it. Eventually, they wanted to widen the road - this time around, per report, grandson Daniel showed up with a shotgun essentially saying "Over my dead body." So, she stayed again. They built the road around her and a concrete slab was placed over the grave. On August 8, 1912, a historical marker was also placed. To this day, the grave remains and is definitely considered an "attraction." Anyone who visits roadside attractions in Indiana will eventually make it here. It took me way too long. Surprisingly, it's also fairly accessible and the road is really fairly lightly traveled. It's not hard to stop and see it, though given it's a hill you do have to be a bit cautious even with slow traffic. Is this the best roadside attraction you'll ever see? Of course not. It is, however, a cool sort of cultural icon in Indiana and worth a stop for those in the area. It's definitely not what I'd call a destination attraction. Franklin is a great community to visit, however, I'd certainly not drive down just for this unless you're truly a gravesite person.

This was on a list of unusual things to do/see in Indiana so I had to check it out. The story goes…read morelike this. They were developing the road and it was going right through where the grave is. So they decided to dig the grave up, to which the grandson of the deceased said, ohh heck nawww. It ain't going down like that, and he grabbed his shotgun and threatened the powers. to be so bad that they came up with the compromise of incorporating his gam gam's grave into the new road. So, here we are. Down the center line of the road you will find a tombstone covered with pennies and an occasional flower or two. There is also a historical road marker on the side of the road as well, detailing the significance of the spot. This stop is just or brief stop or drive by. There is really no good place to pull over. I had to be creative and pray. To my favor was that the street was not very busy. An occasional car would pass by. Well now, I can check off "seeing a grave in the middle of the road" off of my bucket list. On to the next adventure.

Whitewater Canal State Historic Site is one of the key attractions in the rather tiny town of…read moreMetamora, Indiana. Metamora is in Franklin County, a rural county that still feels mighty rural and lacks many of the many amenities that you'd find even in similar smaller towns or towns that are both historic and known for their "old timey" shops, antiques, and activities. For a couple years, fellow Yelpers Rick G. and Holly G. owned a shop in Metamora. I, in turn, owned a bookstore within that shop. As a result, I got to know Metamora fairly well and even officiated Rick and Holly's wedding out on the Whitewater Canal Trail. This is a historic site that falls under the umbrella of Indiana State Museum. It's a throwback to 19th century Indiana and was a key part of Indiana's commerce in the mid-19th century. The White Water Valley Canal Company was so big at one point that it had its own bank and printed its own currency in Connersville. The Whitewater Canal started in Lawrenceburg and originally ended in Cambridge City. Hagerstown, where I once pastored a church, got together and financed an extension to the canal. Ohio got into the action and built another 25-mile extension connecting the canal to Cincinnati. The Metamora Grist Mill, which is still here, is an example of the grist mills that found life because of the canal. You can take home a bag of cornmeal to this day! Visiting the historic site, you can visit the grist mill, see the nation's only wooden aqueduct, explore hiking trails, pick up some commemorative gifts, and visit the small town of Metamora. There is a canal boat here in Metamora, though it's not currently active. There's hope that the Ben Franklin III will see life again. It's a charming experience to be pulled down the canal by Joey and Jordan, two steeds who pull the boat at a gentle 3-4 miles per hour. Admission to the historic site is free for kids under 3, $3 for kids 3-17, $5 for adults aged 18-59, $4 for seniors (60+), and free for members. The site is open April-October, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10am - 5pm. The site is typically also open through the holiday season but only on weekends. You can rent the Whitewater Canal Gazebo for special events. It can accommodate up to 250. If you're expecting a lot of razzle dazzle here, you'll probably be disappointed. Metamora certainly can get crowds, especially during music festivals (almost always folk/Americana, but this is a town with a gentle pace, a friendly spirit, some old shops that generally open when they want, and accessibility that is incredibly hit-and-miss. However, I loved being here and I loved having a bookstore in the town. Rick and Holly still visit here just about monthly and there are a handful of overnight accommodation options for those who want to make it a weekend getaway.

It's a very small Museum, but packed with a lot of history. We visited on a weekend during the…read moreChristmas walk in Metamora (it is free to visit the museum during the Christmas walk)! Bonus for us our family! We were immediately greeted when we entered by a friendly host who let us know that there was no admission for the event and gave us a brief overview of the museum. They have a small gift section where you can purchase freshly ground cornmeal, that is ground right there on site! In fact, upon entering that's the first thing I noticed - the old timey cornmeal. They were doing occasional demonstrations of it. When there isn't a pandemic, they have a children's area available for kids to play. Bathrooms are available on site for visitors. And there is a beautiful view from the outside of the canal. Masks required, if you forget yours they have some on hand.

Historic Metamora is the historical society and historic preservation organization for Metamora,…read moreIndiana. Located in Franklin County, Metamora is known as "Indiana's Canal Town" with its Whitewater Canal State Preservation Site. The organization was started as the Shopkeepers Association. It became a non-profit in 1999 and obtained its 501(c)(3) status in 2000. Historic Metamora is a membership organization (and I believe membership is still only $10 annually). Historic Metamora is an affiliate of Indy-based Indiana Landmarks. It operates a variety of projects for the "village," an unincorporated town that very much relies on its organizations for its livelihood. Fun fact: Historic Metamora owns what is historically known as the Wynn Street Church, the oldest house of worship in Metamora that has been in continuous use since the mid-1800s. It was built by a Methodist Episcopal congregation and for much of its history was part of the United Methodist Church in Indiana. In 2022, the Methodists basically gave up on the small congregation and sold the church to Historic Metamora. Historic Metamora then turned around and rented the church to that same congregation (bye-bye Methodists) - Boundless Ways of Grace. Another fun fact: That same church is pastored by a Yelper - Rick G. Historic Metamora also helps coordinate Metamora's Canal Days, maintains street lights and the Historic Metamora signage, flower boxes over the canal's pedestrian bridge, and partners with community groups (for example, the Merchant Association of Metamora) to take care of holiday decorations and special events. Metamora is very much a historic town. It's cool to watch this non-profit be a strong advocate for the village and help to preserve its historic status. If you know anything about Yelper Rick G., before becoming a pastor he also maintained Mosaic Learn & Play in the village. While Historic Metamora is likely one of the smaller Indiana Landmarks affiliates, its presence is priceless and I'm a huge fan of its work to preserve this lovely little canal town.

Fairytale-like house [Cincinnati OH]…read more We couldn't just drive-by this whimsical house without stopping and doing a double take... and staring. This is the Mushroom House in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. The amount of detail is really breathtaking: circular steel steps, deck rails of wood shingles, stained glass windows, tiled ceilings... of course, I had to snap some pics. How often do we come to Cin City. The original owner/builder by the name of Terry Brown has passed away in 2008. The house is currently not on the market and occupied as a private residence as of 2021. Here are the deets in Zillow: 1 beds, 1 baths, 1,260 sq-ft. If you are curious about the inside of the home you can click on this link and watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pVUFwH9Q6fk Review #3885

A cute spot for a quick stop and to admire! There's no indoor access, but seeing the outside…read moredetails was an experience in itself (plus the garden).

If you are in the area this is worth a visit. There is a small parking lot and parking is free. The…read moreadmission fee can be paid via cash or card. There is a short video that tells you about the property and then you can tour. Everything is completely dog friendly but some areas do have steep steps. The employees were kind and ensured any questions we had were answered.

The castle, along with the road to get here, can be treacherous. Take extreme caution when visiting…read moreand don't visit on a stormy day! There's a $5 cover charge per person and the gravel parking lot isn't huge. But if you do manage to visit, it's really a treat! I love the stones embedded in the walls from all over the world. The layout is also really interesting, given the spy hole and ladder.

Pretty. Nothing spectacular but neat. I was looking for things to do local in Cincinnati that are…read morefree and this came up as a option.

Commonly known as the Channel 9 castle, you won't find armored knights protecting our local news…read morestation. Elsinore Castle was erected in 1883 by the Cincinnati Waterworks to house a valve for water to be transported to Eden Park. The company was interested in enhancing the view of the park, and this location was the former main entrance. The castle was built be renown architect Samuel Hanneford, modeled after Kronberg Castle, which was featured in a local play of Hamlet. The real Kronberg Castle can be found in Denmark. When the Cincinnati Art Museum opened in 1886, stairs were placed at the base of Elsinore Castle. The steps were too steep to ever become popular and the Elsinore Castle soon lost its appeal as an entrance to Eden Park. A mere 100 years later, it was integrated into the landscaping of Channel 9 and is seen more as a landmark of the news station than of the park. Set alongside Gilbert Avenue, the public can still stop and photograph the castle, however it was sadly never used for anything magical, like kings and armored battle. Viewing Time: 15 minutes

A wonderful historical stop in Versailles to pay tribute to the celebrated sharpshooter Annie…read moreOakley. Easy to navigate to and plenty of room to park, it's really cool to see that people are still stopping by her resting place to pay their respects.

I was just driving along a country road from Indiana to Lima, Ohio when suddenly a small sign…read morepopped up saying "Annie Oakley Grave" with an arrow pointing to a side road. I thought, "What??". I grew up on cowboys and Indians and one of my favorite TV shows was "Annie Oakley". I had missed the turn but took the next right to reconnect with the road. After driving aways, there was another sign and Brock Cemetery. I turned in slowly, parked, and walked reverently up to the headstones for Annie, her parents, and husband Frank Butler. It was pretty awesome to be standing at her final resting place. I read the information on the plaques, took some pictures, and somberly continued on my trip. You just never know what you will come across when you take the small roads to your destination instead of freeways.

Here there is something for everyone. It is a nostalgic place for me and many others who are from…read moreTroy, Ohio. But for many, this is a new and booming place, but it's not exactly new. This is not just any park...here is a little history: In the early 1940's, several Troy residents began clearing the river and the banks of rubbish in hopes of using the area for water activates. They even cleared away the remains of an old wooden damn located just north of the Adams St. Bridge. Then, Edward Alvah (E. A.) and William Hobart took an interest in the park and provided the heavy equipment needed to assist in the process of clearing. That's right...E.A and William Hobart of the Hobart Brothers Corporation. The Hobart Corporation used to be based in Troy, Ohio. Yes, that's right...the ones that created and made Kitchenaid for the home and for commercial use...and they are still made today (just not here). Let us not forget the welders, generators and industrial equipment as well to name a few. They weren't always made in a foreign country. Indeed, Hobart was alive and well in Troy, Ohio and the surrounding area once upon a time. The Corporation put quite the thumbprint on Troy, this is one of them. The leaders of the Hobart Brothers Corporation wanted to provide a location for not only boating enthusiasts, but also for their employees to enjoy the Great Miami River and all activities related to water. So, they constructed a marina, a boathouse, and a launch area with a lighthouse all from the profits of the company. At one time there was a baseball diamond located here and playground equipment as well. The place boomed with boating activities, festivals and company picnics for many years. My grandparents and parents used to speak of the fun times here. In the 1960's, E.A. Hobart gave the boathouse and property to the city of Troy as a gift. Troy accepted and decided it had great recreational potential. It has been utilized in many ways over the years. It has even seen days of non-use and dilapidation as well sadly. Some of my fondest memories growing up were playing out on the island after crossing a bridge...and we always fed the ducks. I used to love to ride my bike down that steep hill coming in and lift my legs & feet off the peddles. We used to rent canoes and paddle boats below...sweet memories. But what was once old, is new again. It brings me tears of joy to see this place come alive again and alive it is indeed. This place not only has its own website now, but it has a Facebook page too! There is a fairly new restaurant in the building called "Smith's Boathouse". The Smith family has a history of their own. I went to school with one of the brothers and was able to enjoy the family restaurant in Maui (Yummy). It is a great addition to the Park. And if you get a chance, please check it out. But not only that, there is now an area for concerts in addition to the typical walks, playing, biking, picnicking or just hanging out and enjoying the view. There is quite the venue these days at Treasure Island. It makes me smile that it is alive again. Although people call it "new", please don't forget the history, how it started, why it's here and how it has evolved. When in Troy...stop down...a water activity may interest you, a stroll, a bike ride...or maybe just the view. These are only a few things you can do there...there is something for everyone...to include finding that special spot for peace and quiet. http://www.troyohio.gov/587/Treasure-Island-Park https://www.facebook.com/pages/Treasure-Island-Park/142286295802726

The Ripley County Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. The current building…read morewas built in 1860 following the destruction by fire of the first courthouse. James Pattison was the architect. The Courthouse stands on a prominent square in the center of Versailles, Indiana. The Greek Revival building is brick with a bell tower. The structure has undergone remodeling throughout the years 1912, 1971, 1992 and 2024 to modernize and expand. Current remodeling, had the building closed to visitors, so I could only visit from the outside. The building will open in April, 2025. The building houses the County Circuit Court and County Superior County (which are temporary housed in the County Building across the street). Historical markers indicated that General John Morgan's Calvary (Confederate) raided the courthouse on July 12, 1863, removing the treasury. A second marker indicates that abolitionist and resident, Stephen Harding, gave antislavery speeches locally. A Civil War canon sits on the southwest corner of the square. A Veterans Memorial is also located on the Square. There is a lot of interesting history at the Courthouse and I will return to visit the updated interior of the building. Free parking surrounds the Square.

It is completely free. So fun. Lots of history. Really a beautiful little spot. Flowers were…read morebeginning to bloom. My 3 girls loved it. Made a little donation and they sent me a thank you email.

The Rock Garden was neat to see. It had a bunch of places created out of rocks and it is well…read morepreserved. It's free to visit, they just ask for a donation to help preserve the community.