This memorial is located behind the Decatur County Courthouse and was dedicated in 2011. It is…read moresmall but nice. It features a huge granite wall, in front of a flag pole, with the inscription "The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." Below that is a black marble base inscribed "Lest We Forget". There are black marble walking stones that lead to the memorial representing wars staring with the Revolutionary War, then the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, Mexican Border War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and ends with the Persian Gulf War. I liked this memorial. It is simple and to the point. It has some places for you to sit and take it all in. It is peaceful and soothing and well maintained. It overlooks a free parking lot and there is also free street parking within a reasonable walking distance. This memorial is actually 3 in 1. It is flanked, at its entrance, by the Spanish American War Veterans Memorial and Civil War Memorial. This is a very small memorial. The original memorial was dedicated in October 1926. It was dedicated 'to the memory of all Spanish American War Veterans living and dead.' The memorial was dismantled in 1995 and rebuilt as part of the All-Wars Memorial. This memorial is simple and basic. It consists of a granite pedestal that has a bronze "Crest" of the "Spanish War Veterans on one side and a bronze information placard, detailing the significance of the site and the memorial, on the other. It should be noted that the bronze "Crest" of the "Spanish War Veterans was salvaged from the original 1926 memorial. This is another small memorial that was erected in 1922. It has a granite pedestal, identical to the Spanish American War memorial one, that has a bronze marker on the front and back. The front one has a solider holding a rifle and has the inscription, "In Honor of the Civil War Soldiers of Decatur County". "This monument cannot disclose. Nor can the skill of mortal make a record of the countless woes they suffered for their Country's sake." The opposite side has a rifle across the top and the following inscription, "Decatur County provided more than 2,500 officers and men for the Union Armies during the Civil War. These soldiers served in many Regiments, including: 7th (Gavin - Grover - Welsh), 17th (Wilder), 37th, 52nd, 68th (Scobey), 76th (Gavin), 83rd, 104th (Gavin), 123 (McQuiston), 134th (Gavin), 146th (Welsh), and 156th Indiana Infantry Regiments, 5th Indiana Cavalry Regiment (Butler), and 26th Indiana Light Artillery Battery (Rigby)." "Their devotion to duty, initiative and sacrifice and exemplified by the 7th Indiana Infantry, commanded by Colonel Ira G. Grover, then Major Merit C. Welsh, which served in the Iron Brigade, Army of the Potomac; and the 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry which served in the Lightning Brigade Commanded by General John T. Wilder, Army of the Cumerland." 'Let us all more deeply resolve that our children shall be taught to forever maintain what we preserve in our day, a Great, free and United Country.' General John T. Wilder Their Works do follow them. Rev. 14:13 So, anyway be sure to check it out. Anyway, as with most memorials that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 15 minutes. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

The Decatur County Courthouse is one of the most famous courthouses in the U.S. For 150 years, a…read moretree has grown out of the structure's clock tower, grabbing the attention of visitors. The Courthouse is the second dedicated courthouse of Decatur County. Plans for the building were drafted in 1854 by a committee composed of B. Y. Wilson, I. G. Monfort and B. H. Harney. Construction was overseen by Indianapolis architect, Edwin May, who designed the Indiana State House. The final cost of the Romanesque brink structure and grounds was $120,000. The courthouse opened in 1861. Rennovations to update and repair the building have been made periodically throughout the years beginning in 1889 and an expansion in 1997. The staff is friendly and the officer relayed anecdotal stories about the tree(s). The original tree appeared in the 1870s. Additional sprouts appeared over the years, but have been culled to protect the structure. The tree that exists today is a spout of the original tree. The tree has been identified as a large tooth aspen. Inside the courthouse has been preserved throughout history. Iron stairs ascend to the second floor courts. Original oak trim and some furniture adorn the halls. Historical transfer books neatly stacked in cubbies. Court was in session, so I was unable to visit the courtrooms. Framed historical newspaper articles tell stories from the past. The Courthouse is uniquely poised for visitors. On the immaculate grounds surrounding the Courthouse are a War Memorial and several historic markers.

I was drawn here by the "See the tree" signs as I exited the interstate to fill up with gas. I…read moreended up staying for a few hours to use one of the power outlets that are along the curb of the courthouse to charge up my house battery in the Sprinter van. While here, I enjoyed the markers in the courthouse and of course, the tree. The marker reads, "Site of the original court house built in 1827 and occupied until 1854. Present building completed in 1860. Large tooth aspen tree appeared in 1870 on the roof of the 115 foot clock tower. In July, 1863, it became a temporary armory while troops bivouacked on the lawn. The treasurer's office held provisions to feed 10 regiments. The 7th Regimental Band had played weekly on the square before being militarized. Many political figures have given speeches from the steps. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973." Yes, there is a tree growing on the roof. It was noticed in 1870 and it's a tourist draw. Yes, a real tree. [Review 20519 overall - 65 in Indiana - round number 1500 of 2023.]

Located in front of the Decatur County Courthouse, this marker tells the history of a local citizen…read morewho went on to do amazing things in the automotive industry. The marker is in great condition and there is plentiful parking all around. It reads, "Fisher, an entrepreneur who helped make automobiles a viable form of transportation, was born in Greensburg, 1874. He co-founded Prest-O-Lite Co., 1904, which developed acetylene gas vehicle headlights distributed nationwide. Co-founder and president of Indianapolis Speedway, site of famous annual 500 mile race and testing ground for new automobile technology. Proponent of the Good Roads Movement to expand and improve the nation's road networks. Fisher advocated construction of U.S. transcontinental roads including east-west Lincoln Highway (1912) and north-south Dixie Highway (1914). Such roads enabled long-distance travel by automobile. He also developed Miami Beach into major resort destination. Died July 15, 1939." [Review 20517 overall - 63 in Indiana - 1498 of 2023.]

Back in 2017, international artist Kelsey Montague created her signature "What Lifts You" angel…read morewing murals a block north of the county court house. Though looking like simple silhouettes in white on a black background, the pair of angel wings have the detail of landmark Greensburg buildings built into the wing patterns. There are two pairs of wings: One is large enough for adults to stand in front of for taking selfies; the other is much smaller and lower to the ground for taking pictures of pets. The artist hopes that when visitors post their photos, they include their ideas about what personally lifts them up. For me, one of the things that "Lifts me up" is finding new art in unexpected places. This fit the bill quite nicely! Review #2461

Greetings from Greensburg from Michelle and Tony. Greensburg is our favorite place to dine and…read moreexplore. It has beautiful old houses and buildings. The park is one of the best we've ever seen.

My spouse and I went on the Columbus architecture tour. The Miller House and Garden is the focal…read morepart of the architecture of Columbus. The architect Saarinen developed plans for only three houses all for the Miller's. Almost all the doorways are handicapped accessible and the house is one level. Although built in the 1950s many of the design concepts are still seen today. if you are going for the architecture tour, this is a must

loved the aesthetic of this house. first saw it on Kogonada's film Columbus and just had to go see…read moreit. the one thing though is the movie makes it seem like you can walk freely through the house, you cannot. it's an informative guided tour. and you're only allowed to take pictures on this particular rug. I'm fine without getting anymore photos, but I would have loved to spend some more time outside exploring the grounds. also I saw pictures of the couch with red cushions, it was definitely more eye catching with those. (big thing: read your confirmation email and show up at the visitor center first)

Driving across the Robert N. Stewart Bridge is like driving across a work of art. The bridge is…read moregorgeous during the day and spectacular at night. The bridge was built as part of a project to attract and welcome drivers off the highway into the city of Columbus. Jean Muller, a renowned Chicago architect, designed the cable-stayed bridge, which was completed in 1999. I drove and walked across the bridge today. Driving into Columbus, the bridge frames the lovely courthouse. To walk across, there is a narrow sidewalk on the west side of the bridge. I had to cross several busy streets to get there, but it was worth the challenge. The bridge is breathtaking and view of Flatrock River from the bridge is tranquil. The colors of the lights that illuminate the bridge change on certain holidays and for special events. I recommend a stop in Columbus to experience this amazing work of art. There is street parking near the courthouse.

There are entirely too many boring and uninspired bridges in the world so it's pretty awesome to…read morefind something inspired and beautiful. And the Stewart bridge in Columbus is that. Formerly called the Second Street Bridge, it is a cable-stayed suspension bridge that carries SR-46 over the Flatrock River. The bridge was completed in 1999 with the colored lighting added in 2012 and the name change in 2013 in recognition of the former three term mayor of Columbus. There isn't much parking immediately near the bridge and there is no stopping on it. But it's worth a bit of a walk to check it out. [Review 20524 overall - 70 in Indiana - 1505 of 2023.]

If there's one curse I associate with being a wheelchair user, it's the fact that I tend to fall in…read morelove with historic houses that are far from wheelchair friendly. Such is the case with the Irvington area's "The Benton House," a home built in 1873 and intended to be one of the homes to set the architectural flavor of the Irvington area. Alas, the home's construction was shortly followed by an economic downtown and many of the surrounding homes were built on smaller lots and were a bit more modest in size. This 10-room home served as home from former Butler University President Dr. Allan Benton (Fun Fact: His wife was named Silence, which I personally think is an incredibly cool name). By 1907, it had changed hands and stayed in the Miller family until 1966 when it was sold to the Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation. There are items from Dr. Benton still located in the home. The home recently underwent renovations and is available for club meetings, weddings, private parties, and retreats. As it is a historic home and noted as a historic landmark, it is not wheelchair friendly. Getting around the yard is fairly easy, though there are steps into the home. Geocachers will be interested to note that there's a geocache located within close proximity of the home - this is actually how I originally discovered the home myself. It remains a nicely wooded lot and is quite often decorated seasonally. You can actually become a "member" of The Benton House - $25 for individuals annually and $50 for families and/or organizations. There are benefits associated with membership, though the greatest benefit is supporting a really beautiful and historic Irvington home. As a wheelchair user, I love homes like this even though they are far from wheelchair friendly. My own home is a 1955 California ranch that, quite fortunately, is on one level. However, I've long felt like if I ever obtained the ability to walk or increase mobility one of my first actions would be to buy a home such as this incredible beauty.

The Benton House will be in my fondest memories for decades to come... granted I might be a little…read morebiased since we had our rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, and reception here. Working with Linda was a breeze. She is so sweet and accommodating. The preferred tent company is a little exhausting, but I kind of think the whole formal wedding process is a little exhausting, so that might just be personal preference. I can't handle talking about table cloth colors for two hours without feeling like I'm losing my mind a little. My husband and I couldn't have been happier with the weekend, and it seems like our guests had a great time, as well. If you're looking at renting The Benton House for any type of indoor event under 100 people, or outdoor event under 150, I 100% recommend it.

Bridgeport honors the local men who served in the Civil War with this elaborate monument in Seaside…read morePark https://www.yelp.com/biz/seaside-park-bridgeport?hrid=VuI9YRr0wFJzrDzQoIr4BA. The monument features a large, granite base with several decorative elements that narrows into a shaft topped by a bronze allegorical figure representing the United States. The monument's side feature bronze statues depicting an infantry soldier and a sailor. The plaque on the southeast face reads, "Dedicated to the memory of the heroic men of Bridgeport who fell in the late war for the preservation of the Union. July 1876." The plaque also features the conclusion of the Gettysburg Address. Plaques on the other faces list approximately 180 local residents killed in the war, along with their unit, as well as their date and place of death. [Review 15155 overall, 657 of 2021, number 12 in Connecticut.]

With my family and I were doing on North East trip we stopped in Bridgeport Connecticut and we saw…read morethis wonderful monument for soldiers and sailors. I've noticed that a lot of cities that I've visited have the same soldiers and sailors monument on this trip. It looks a little different but it's always titled soldiers and sailors so curious might look that up. But anyway there's a nice looking Memorial monument and it just really represents the respect and love for soldiers and sailors and people that have fought for our country and have passed away it's just a nice tribute

I love the history of covered bridges and cherish the opportunity to visit one. The New Brownsville…read moreCovered Bridge has endured 185 years of weather, relocation, fire and restoration. The original truss bridge was completed by Adam Mason in 1840 and spanned the Whitewater River in Brownsville. The bridge was the only surviving example of a long truss bridge in Indiana, measuring 182 feet long. The bridge was dismantled in 1974 and moved to Mill Race Park in Columbus in 1985 under the guidance of bridge zealot, Virgil Taylor. The bridge was shortened to 85 feet to span a small pond in the park. According to a plaque on the bridge, the original structure was destroyed by fire and later rebuilt. Today, we were able to drive across the restored bridge. I also explored under the bridge on the concrete walkways that descends under the bridge. The bridge is a beautiful reminder of Indiana's history. There is no charge to visit or drive across the bridge. There is no parking close to the bridge, but I did finding parking across the park.

Located in a quaint little park, this bridge was actually moved here from the Brownsville area…read more Originally build in 1840 , it had to be restored after a fire. They did great work. While it looks somewhat small from afar, it seems to really grow once you are inside. Very photogenic by itself or as a backdrop for your selfies or even important photo shoots. Don't forget to enjoy the rest of the park as well.

For the longest time, my basic path to my downtown office was to take Emerson to East Washington…read morebefore landing at the Indiana Government Center complex. These days, as we all know, there are detours galore and several street projects to deal with along the way. Thus, I now wind my way through the Brookside Park area and then drive through what is known as the Old Northside Historic District. Aptly named because this used to be Indy's old Northside, this historic district is defined by 16th street on the North, Pennsylvania Street on the West, I-65 to the South, and Bellefontaine Street on the East. The Monon Trail borders the east edge of The Frank and Judy O'Bannon Old Northside Soccer Park. This was "the" neighborhood to live in near the turn of the 19th century. Around the 1950s, the area began a steady decline and many original structures were destroyed. In the 1970s, this became a historic district and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since the 1980s, it has really come back to its own. While it's not the place it used to be, it's once again a valued place to live. Much like my own eastside neighborhood, Old Northside is in many ways an oasis surrounded by more economically challenged areas. I don't live in a bad neighborhood, but I am surrounded by them. That's really the same thing here. As a wheelchair user, it's probably easy to figure out why I'd opt for a 4-star instead of a 5-star here. Amidst all of this marvelous history, there are stairs galore. While Indiana Landmarks has done a marvelous job of making their historic home accessible, as has the Benjamin Harrison home, others not so much. You've also got the Harrison Center, Indiana Humanities (Meredith Nicholson home), Morris Butler, McGowan Hall, Redeemer Presbyterian, and a host of other buildings, events (Talbot Street, anyone?), and places to visit. Yes, some of the area continues to need more love and care, however, this really is one of the cooler areas in Indy. Sidewalks and curb cuts are great in renovated areas, however, there are quite a few places where passage is very iffy. With large homes and lots, architecture reflecting the area's history, and a true feeling of neighborhood, this is a well-suited area for those who'd love to live amidst history and with restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses easily within walking distance. For those with mobility issues, it'll be a more challenging task to live around here as even the apartment buildings tend to be older and challenged in terms of access. For me, I love the Old Northside but it's an area where I love to visit but would most likely never live.

OLD NORTHSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT IN INDY IS CHARMING…read more================================================ In August of 2025 my husband and I rented an Airbnb in the Old Northside Historic District to stay close to some family members nearby. You can walk all over the place from there, but it was a bit warm at the beginning of August, so we didn't do too much walking. We stayed near College and 16th. 16th is the border on the north side, Pennsylvania Street on the west, Interstate I-65 on the south, and Bellefontaine Street on the east. The Monon Trail runs along the eastern edge of The Frank and Judy O'Bannon Old Northside Soccer Park. We walked on the Monon Trail by this park and it was beautiful. A lot of the homes in this area reflect the Late Victorian style. This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 24, 1978. This area was a prominent residential area in the late 19th century when some more affluent residents built mansions in the area. Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, called this area home. It was also the original location of Butler University which was later relocated to another town. This neighborhood changed in the early 1910's when families built homes further north in Indianapolis.