Local artist, Michael McAuley, created this bronze statue of local music legend, Hoagy Carmichael…read more Hoagy sits at his bronze piano just outside the IU Auditorium on the IU campus. The patio is surrounded by a lush serene garden. There is no parking close to the statue and you have to walk to see the statue. It took me some time to find, as it is tucked in near a wall just outside the doors of the Auditorium. I recommend visiting when classes are not in session. IU has a lot of interesting and beautiful art scattered around the campus.

Beautiful tribute to one of America's best composers. It captures his image well and it's so…read morerefreshing to see this be a fixture at IU, given his legacy and time there. I love that the pose is of him at work with "Stardust" at his fingertips, as he penned that just a few blocks away. It's easy for me to conjure up the image of what his style of work may have been like and I can totally hear the song in my head as I go by. I'm so happy that this tribute to him exists.

I've been on a mission to visit all the covered bridges in Indiana because I love the history and…read morestructural beauty of these landmarks. I especially like when the bridge is still original and operational. The Bean Blossom Covered Bridge was built in 1880 by Joseph Baisley. The bridge is on a dilapidated road, Covered Bridge Road, half mile southwest of Bean Blossom off Rt 135. The single lane bridge is a classic single Howe through truss design. I walked across the bridge. I wonder what famous people crossed the bridge back when this was the only route to Nashville. The bridge is in pretty good shape for the age. I noticed some of the floor nails have popped up, so be careful if you drive over it. Unfortunately, vandals have left graffiti inside the beautiful structure. Covered Bridge Road is in disrepair with large holes in the asphalt. The road turns to gravel past the bridge. There is really no place to park except to block the road. Fortunately, we saw no traffic during our visit, so we could study the bridge. You know it's going to be a 5 star because I never met a covered bridge that I didn't like.

Indiana has lots and lots of covered bridges. I've been to a few of them. Bean Blossom is one of…read morethe loveliest. With only a 9 foot clearance, it was too small for the "Free Candy!" van that needs 10 feet but that's okay. I was still able to walk it and admire this fabulous construction. Built in 1880 and with a span of 101 feet, it carries this narrow lane across Bean Blossom Creek. Of course, State Road 135 is nearby if you're also not able to drive across. The road down the valley to the bridge is narrow and after a short while, it is gravel only. A short wider area near the bottom for you to pull over and park. But much of the road is one lane so drive with care. [Review 20551 overall - 89 in Indiana - 1532 of 2023.]

Beautiful grounds, interesting history. Lovely trails we purchased a tour for 11$, totally worth…read moreit! The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and offered plenty of time for questions! The gift shop is super cute as well. Highly recommend.

The staff was very friendly, professional. Young man who was…read morethe tour guide was refreshing. Quite knowledgeable of every aspect of Steele's history. Didnt sound like a script, was very clear and learned, spoke as if in a conversation at your home, but he knew dates, and details of the period of the Steele's legacy. Ive worked at museums all of my life and was quite impressed. We attended in the winter but will return when the weather is much warmer, so to enjoy the grounds.

Located in the heart of Nashville (Indiana), this marker points out why there is so much art and so…read moremany artworks here in town. The marker is close to restaurants, shopping, the Brown County Art Gallery and so much more. There is free street parking nearby. It reads, "Attracted by the area's natural beauty and its residents' rustic lifestyles, a group of professional artists began working in Brown County by 1908. The Brown County Art Colony gained renown as its members exhibited regularly, first in the Midwest, then nationally. Many of the artists worked to capture the character of the landscape in an American Impressionist style. The colony prospered during the American Regional Art Movement (1920s-1940s) and fueled economic development of the region. In response to increased demand for their work, the artists and local partners established the Brown County Art Gallery nearby in 1926. In 1954, several of the colony's original artists founded an additional gallery, the Brown County Art Guild." This is marker number 07.2021.1 and it was erected in 2021 by the Indiana Historical Bureau, Peaceful Valley Heritage Preservation Inc., and the Brown County Community Foundation. [Review 20540 overall - 84 in Indiana - 1521 of 2023.]

I haven't managed to make it to Riverside Iowa for Captain Kirk's birthplace but I'm here in…read moreBloomington and I got to visit this memorial to Captain Janeway's birthplace. Yes, the Star Trek: Voyager star was born (will be born?) on May 20, 2336. The monument is located not far from the courthouse square along a rail trail. It's not hard to find and if you're at all a Star Trek fan, make the effort. [Review 20565 overall - 102 in Indiana - 1546 of 2023.]

My nerdy Star Trek dreams come true. The future birthplace of one of the most popular characters in…read morethe Star Trek universe!

Located in the center of the (city? town? village?) of Nashville, this marker points out the artist…read morethat pretty much put it on the map. There is street parking nearby and you should not miss the museum a few blocks away. The marker is on two sides with the front reading, "Photographer, artist, and newspaper columnist Frank Hohenberger moved to Nashville in 1917. Through his black and white, large format photographs, he documented the residents, artists, daily life, traditions, and natural beauty of Brown County. From 1923-1954, he wrote an Indianapolis Star column, "Down in the Hills O' Brown County" that helped popularize the area." And the reverse, "Hohenberger took over 15,000 photographs and negatives during his career, including "The Liar's Bench," one of his best-selling prints. He was commissioned for projects across Indiana and in other states and delivered many illustrated lectures on his work. His internationally popular photographs have been preserved at the Lilly Library, Indiana University." This is marker number 7.2019.1 and was erected in 2019 by the Indiana Historical Bureau, Peaceful Valley Heritage Preservation and Brown County Community Foundation. [Review 20544 overall - 85 in Indiana - 1525 of 2023.]

Love Bloomington. Feels like an all American hometown. Easy shopping and walking. Food and drink…read moreplaces are everywhere and offer a wide variety. Clean, bright and friendly. Downtown is a real gem and you feel good just being there. People are friendly and quick to talk. Ample hotels at various price point ensure you will find something to fit your taste and budget.

I did enjoy my time in Bloomington - great pizza, fabulous coffee, the art museum at IU. I found…read moresome great beers along the way. Soma Coffee House (there are a few of them) is excellent. But wow, it seemed like I caught ever single red light in this city. And it's a big city - the fourth largest outside Indianapolis. Lots of crappy roads here too including one bump that was so hard, it knocked my coffee cup out of the cupholder. Yowza! I should have circled back to take a picture. Bloomington will be the birthplace of Captain Janeway (Star Trek) in a century or two. And for now, it's the home of Indiana University. Lots of crimson all around on the university students. Hoosiers, named after the Native American term for corn. Or so some would believe. Janko's Little Zagreb for a spendy steak. Aver's Pizza (there are at least two locations). The Sinkhole for craft beers. Enjoy yourself and keep an eye on your parking meter. They are everywhere! [Review 20643 overall - 153 in Indiana - 1624 of 2023.]

The Monroe County Courthouse sits on a grand square surrounded by thriving restaurants, bars and…read moreshops. There is an energy around the square that I have not seen at other county courthouses. The courthouse building, completed in 1907 is constructed of Indiana limestone (of course). There is a large copper dome on top and four large clocks around the tower. A limestone-carved Lady Liberty sits over the main entrance with a male figure sitting beside her. The building is National Registered as a Historic Place. The Courthouse is surrounded by memorials. The is a really nice Viet Nam memorial on the West side with beautifully cared for flowering plants. On the East side is a War Memorial commentating those who served in multiple wars back to the Spanish American War. Other memorials honor local public servants. This is very much a working Courthouse housing the Circuit Court. Residents can register to vote here. Landscaping is variable around the courthouse with parts needing care. Many of the statues and the exterior of the courthouse building are in need of cleaning.

Monroe County was formed by the Indiana General Assembly and Bloomington was selected as the county…read moreseat in 1818. A one-story two-room log cabin was the original. The second courthouse was built here between 1819-1826 and was two stories with brick and a stone foundation. It was expanded a couple of times but was eventually demolished for the construction of this new courthouse. The current stricture was build in 1908 and is in the Beaux Arts style. It is large, majestic and absolutely lovely. You'll want to try spotting the weather vane on the top of the dome which was saved from the original courthouse. The grounds of the courthouse have a number of memorials including a Civil War monument and a World War monument (because back then, there was only the one). There is metered street parking on all four sides of the courthouse and the square is surrounded by bars and restaurants and retail shopping. [Review 20563 overall - 101 in Indiana - 1544 of 2023.]