On Fame's eternal camping ground their silent tents are…read morespread and Glory guards with solemn round the Bivouac of the Dead. - Engraving on the plaque on the north side of the memorial I was here on a Saturday morning when the courthouse plaza was completely clear, and that quiet stretch of time made it easy to appreciate just how massive this monument really is. The best photos come from across the street, where you can take in the full height of the column, the copper figures, and the courthouse dome rising behind it. Officially titled the "Soldiers and Sailors Monument," it was erected in 1909 on the northeast corner of the courthouse grounds. The dedication reads, "In memory of the patriotism and valor of the Soldiers & Sailors of Vigo County in the War of 1861-1865," a statement that fits the monument's scale and ambition. The memorial was nearly placed across from Woodlawn Cemetery, but once fundraising and planning made the project real, local leaders decided that it belonged on the exact spot where Vigo County men had once marched up to the beat of a drum, to enlist in the Union Army. Atop the pedestal stands a life-size copper statue of Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton, who led the state during the Civil War. On each corner is another copper figure: a cavalryman, an infantryman, a sailor, and a gunner. Together the give the monument a sense of motion and presence that matches the courthouse itself, making this one of the most impressive Civil War memorials in western Indiana. [Review 1050 of 2026 - 254 in Indiana - 26229 overall]

Crossing Indiana from east to West, it turns out that the Clay County Courthouse in Brazil was my…read morenext stop after visiting the Putnam County Courthouse earlier this morning. Both buildings share that imposing Classical Revival presence, but Clay County's courthouse leans even harder into the style with its limestone exterior, granite columns, marble wainscotting and a stained-glass rotunda skylight. Completed in 1914 and designed by architect John W. Gaddis, it feels like a sibling to Putnam County's courthouse with similar massing, similar era, and the same sense of civic permanence. On an overcast Saturday morning with the building closed, wandering the grounds without anyone around made it easy to appreciate the symmetry and stonework without distractions. The biggest surprise is the F-86 Sabre jet sitting right on the courthouse lawn. It's a Korean War-era aircraft restored in 2023 with help from Duke Energy and loaned to the city by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It's an unexpected but striking memorial, and it creates an interesting parallel to the V-1 "Buzz Bomb" displayed at the Putnam County Courthouse. One county honors World War II with a German flying bomb and the other honors the Korean War with an American fighter jet. Both displays feel a little surreal in a courthouse setting, but they add character and give each courthouse its own distinct identity. [Review 1044 of 2026 - 248 in Indiana - 26223 overall]

So here's the verdict on Clay County Courthouse. The three story limestone building is the fifth…read morecourthouse for the county and second in Brazil. This historic Classical Revival building was designed by John W. Gaddis (Vincennes, Indiana) and construction began in 1912 and completed in 1914. The massive limestone columns and center dome are prominent features of the building's exterior. On the grounds, sit an Air Force jet and a Civil War era cannon. The interior of the building is magnificently original. The stained glass of the center dome is gorgeous. The tiled floors, marble stairs and brass light fixtures scream Art Deco. The staff is friendly. A judge welcomed us into the courtroom to take photos. The Superior Court retains its original bench seating and ornate decor. A massive mural sits in an alcove behind the judge. Historical documents and photos are proudly displayed throughout this impressive structure. A display of posters about prominent Clay County historical figures surrounds the atrium. A box of fresh tomatoes left by a local farmer with a FREE sign, reminds me that we are in the heart of farm country. I'd have to say, the Clay County Courthouse is one of my favorite courthouses in Indiana because of the conscience attempt to retain and promote its proud history. There is free street parking around the building. Handicapped accessibility is available at the west entrance of the building. The Clay County Courthouse is worthy of a visit for history, architecture and government buffs.

The seat of Clark County is Marshall and here we are in Illinois. The county itself is named after…read moreAmerican officer George Rogers Clark who served in the American Revolution and was also the older brother of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The county was formed in 1819 and after some other parts were used to form other counties, it's been like this since 1830. After the earlier building (the fourth county courthouse) was destroyed in a fire, this building was built and dedicated in 1904. It is a two-story brick building with a central cupola and clock tower. The building's overall design is in the style of Renaissance Revival. The courthouse is surrounded by open parking on the street and is easily accessible. When I visited on Sunday morning, the building was secured but the grounds are of course open. It's a beautiful classic building and worth a visit. There are a number of monuments on the grounds that should be checked out including a "Gone but not Forgotten", and other war memorials. [Review 19668 overall - 123 in Illinois - 640 of 2023.]

This marker is located on the grounds of the Clay County Courthouse in Brazil and it points out the…read morehistory of one of the area's early litigators and suffragettes. The front of the marker reads, "Pioneering lawyer and entrepreneur Elizabeth 'Bessie' Eaglesfield was born in Clay County in 1853. Indiana's constitution denied women suffrage while also requiring attorneys to be voters. Nevertheless, she gained admittance to the bar in 1875 and practiced in Indiana and Michigan. By 1885, she became active at local and state levels in the fight for women's suffrage." And the reverse, "Eaglesfield was a noted community member, but her litigation work was limited by potential clients' concerns that biases against female lawyers could impact trial outcomes. As a result, she pivoted into the business sector, piloting boats and using her local skills in the operation of her shipping business on the Great Lakes. Eaglesfield died in Michigan in 1940." Elizabeth Eaglesfield built a career that stretched far beyond the courtroom, becoming one of the Midwest's earliest female maritime entrepreneurs after earning a master mariner's license and operating freight and passenger vessels on Lake Michigan. She expanded into real estate and insurance, often defending her ships and property in court with the same determination she once applied to legal practice. Newspapers frequently highlighted her independence, especially when she confronted powerful industrial interests whose pollution or negligence affected her operations. Even late in life she continued managing her businesses personally, leaving a legacy of legal firsts, maritime innovation, and boundary‑pushing entrepreneurship when she died in 1940. The marker was erected in 2025 by the Indiana Historical Bureau, Clay County Historical Society, Indiana Women's History Association, Indiana Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission, and community partners. It does not have a number. [Review 1045 of 2026 - 249 in Indiana - 26224 overall]

Vigo County's Pioneer Village can be found within Fowler Park. Besides driving through the park to…read morevisit, you can use the small parking lot along Bono Road and walk into the park from that entrance which accesses the village and covered bridge. Most of the year, the village is open to browse, but the buildings are locked. Some have convenient windows to browse in, but not all of them. You will also notice that some are authentic buildings which have been preserved by moving them to this gathering spot from across the area (including Illinois). Others are constructed from wood salvaged from other cabins/structures that had met their demise. What is created is a homogeneous collection of buildings that you might find if you could travel back in time 180 years to a small town in the area. Vigo County does open the village up the first weekend in October to re-enactors and vendors to celebrate the annual Pioneer Days. I believe there is a $5 fee for attending. I was surprised that I didn't see any promotion for the event in 2019 since I was there just a few days too early. If you are interested, I would suggest contacting the county's parks department. From what I heard from the staff at the guard house, the village has grown over the years as additional buildings have been relocated. While there, be sure to check out one of the State's oldest covered bridges on the south side of the village. Review #2957

I think most drivers aren't aware of the number of bridges they cross but they would sure be aware…read moreof them if they were missing. Imagine the hassle of trying to drive your vehicle over some stream or creek instead of zipping on by at 40 or more miles per hour. This is one such bridge and if it wasn't for the sign, I wouldn't have been aware of the historic nature. National Road and this bridge were here before US-40 was built nearby and of course, I-70 passes by a few miles away. So think back in time and here we are. The marker reads, "This Bridge was completed by Army Engineers sometime between 1834 and 1837 as part of the Old National Road, between Cumberland, Maryland and Vandalia, Illinois, was authorized by the enabling act of 1803 and was the Nation's first federally financed highway. The Bridge is a prime example of the Stone-building art and early American Engineering. Stones were precisely cut and fitted together without bond or mortar. Many stone arch bridges were built along the Cumberland Road, but this was the only one is still in use at the time of the marker dedication." The marker was erected in 1976 by the Clark County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.. There is not room to pull over on the bridge but there is a nearby crossroad where you can stop and see the bridge from the side. It's an impressive structure especially considering that it is over 150 years old and in constant daily use. [Review 19671 overall - 126 in Illinois - 643 of 2023.]

Reviewing historical structures like this can be difficult, but for any Historic National Road…read moreenthusiast - it's a must-do! If you are heading west out of town, be sure to check out the Old Stone Arch Bridge. No, you can't pull over and look but you can turn left on Oak Crest Road and pull off there. That way, you get a nice view of the bridge. If you want to read the historical marker, then you gotta walk up a-ways. By the way, did you know Abraham Lincoln went across this bridge many times during his lawyer days?

A little distant from the town of Casey but it's still one of those "Largest Things" that you need…read moreto see if you're in the area. This is the World's Largest Horseshoe and yes, it's large. You can see that here as I parked next to it for scale. The claim to fame as world's largest became official in 2013, when this 1,144-pound cast iron horseshoe was verified by Guinness World Records. Then in 2015 it was surpassed by a slightly larger horseshoe in Kentucky that weighed half as much. So I wouldn't say that you need to go out of your way, unless you're interested in the world's largest things. Or perhaps you're already here for the Martinsville Agricultirual Fair. [Review 19672 overall - 127 in Illinois - 644 of 2023.]

In fairness to this park, I visited when all the flowers and shrubs were dormant. It's located…read moreright next to the Clay County Historical Society (east) and features a central gazebo and a concrete patio shaped like the state of Indiana. Benches are available to sit out and enjoy people watching and the weather (when it cooperates.) The space between the gazebo and patio has a brick lined walkway with commemorative plaques. Beyond the gazebo are picnic tables for visitors to use as well. A row of shrubs lines the east side and a number of planters and small gardens (for roses) also add to the park. Since the park is located along US 40 which is considered "the National Road", there is a large information board near the street telling about the significance of the road/area. Another nice park to add some greenspace to the downtown Brazil landscape. Review #3752