Given that I have reviewed several places within New Harmony, it's likely no secret that I love…read morethis little town of around 700 people located in deep Southwest Indiana. It's not often that you get an entire town that's a historic landmark, but that's the case with New Harmony. It was settled in 1814 as a spiritual sanctuary for the Harmonie Society. In 1825, it became a haven for scientists and scholars led by Robert Owen. That spirituality radiates still in New Harmony. The area is also famously welcoming to artists and creatives including several properties known as retreat spaces. For such a small town, New Harmony has art galleries, museum exhibits, summer theatre, historic properties, a winter concert series, festivals, shopping/dining, Harmonie State Park (actually just south), and the town is surprisingly walkable (or wheelable in my case). The town is located on the Wabash River. It's still an area known for its reformers, artists, educators, and scientists. It's in a weird location (at least to me) and is closer to St. Louis and Louisville (2 hours) than Indy (3 hours). With at least a couple labyrinths, this really is a place for those who want to dial down. Yes, there are things to do. Yes, there are restaurants. I know of a coffee roaster (Black Lodge), a couple bars, a handful of local restaurants (I'm not remembering any chains, though they're not too far away), some B&Bs/guest houses/camping (again, I can't think of a chain hotel/motel but they are close), and a downtown area with shopping. Oh wait. There is the New Harmony Inn - a more traditional hotel, though even they also offer guest houses. I don't believe they're part of a chain. There's a Marathon gas station. That's a chain. Ha! Seriously, this is a quiet and meditative town. It's not "sleepy." The people are friendly and warm. It's just a lovely little area that I wish was closer so I could visit more often. It's not perfectly accessible for sure - there are historic buildings with steps and occasional brick sidewalks that are doable but difficult. However, every time I've been here people have gone out of the way to be accommodating and hospitable.

One my favorite places in the entire country. New Harmony is well worth a visit during the summer…read moreor fall. It's charming and beautiful. A wonderful respite from the fast paced life.

While we were also visiting Evansville during our Urban hike, we found this Historical Jail and…read moreResidence located across the 4th Street from the Old Evansville Courthouse. The building is gorgeous as well and has a long history; History: jail Evansville is rich in exquisite examples of 19th century American Architecture. The Vanderburgh County Jail and Sheriff's Residence at 208 N.W. Fourth Street is an excellent example from this period. This castle-like fort, designed by architect Henry Walters, was modeled after the Castle of Lichtenstein in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Therefore, the structure is familiar to Evansville's German-born residents. This Gothic-inspired building was originally crafted from stone, which simplified its construction a good deal. Evansville's natural environment has rich subsoil, which combined with abundant rainfall and high mean temperatures, yields an abundance of stone, sand, and fine clay for bricks. Evansville's prime location along the Ohio River also allowed a direct shipment route for imported stone products. In addition, natural deposits of coal and iron in the area provided inexpensive means of operating brick kilns and iron foundries. The building itself is designed to invoke fear in the observer. Its exterior consists of step-gables, projecting turrets, crenelated roof lines, simulated portcullis, and a central keep, or rounded tower. The entrance presents pointed arches to lengthen the appearance of this part of the building. All of these elements add to the castle-like appearance of the structure. The Vanderburgh County Jail is also connected to the former Courthouse, which lies across the street, via an underground dungeon-like tunnel. During the time of the jail's use, the tunnel served as a passageway to transport prisoners to and from court. Presently, however, no nervous inmates are forced to make the tedious walk down the tunnel, nor are they required to sleep in the jail's less than spacious cells. The building now houses commercial offices. However, one cell still remains to allow modern visitors to take a look and imagine what life may have been like in the old Vanderburgh County Jail. The building was closed when we were there but it is FREE to walk around and take photos.

New Harmony, Indiana is a small town of about 700 people in Posey County. It continues to be one of…read moremy favorite towns to visit. Working Men's Institute was established in 1838 as part of Robert Owen's utopian experiment that had its roots in New Harmony. It's a history library and music founded by geologist/philanthropist William Maclure and is the oldest continuously operating public library in Indiana. It continues to function in many of the ways it was established - the basic philosophy behind it was that men and women are essentially rational individuals who can bring about lasting social harmony if properly taught and encouraged. It would end up being a popular concept. At one point, every county in Indiana had a Working Men's Institute (along with 16 in Illinois). This one was the first, and it's the only one remaining. Being a historic building, accessibility is surprisingly strong and there is an elevator. The museum is quite cool, and the library is also surprisingly impressive. There's one display on the staircase, thus it's not accessible (also quite small). It's worth noting that the library is considered a public library for Posey County - it has books, periodicals, electronic resources, rare volumes, genealogical records and more. The second floor is ultimately the coolest for me as someone who is fascinated by the Harmonist and Owenite periods in New Harmony. There are also Native American artifacts and natural history items. Ultimately, this certainly isn't a destination spot or even a day trip (probably takes about 2-1/2 to 3 hours to get here from Indy. It is usually three for me, but that includes stops. However, if you're in this area it's part of New Harmony worth checking out. I'd probably go a four-star, however, I'm impressed enough with the efforts to improve accessibility that I'm forking over the fifth star.

My three boys (ages 7, 10 & 13) and I went today on recommendation by The Old Rooming House owner…read moreJim Stinson. We absolutely loved it! There was so much to see that we were there nearly an hour! Highly recommend!

The Roseanne house may be one of the best kept secrets of Evansville Indiana. It is in fact the…read morehouse used for the classic late 80s/early 90's sitcom "Roseanne". My family and I was in town from Louisville for my daughters cheer competition. Whenever we visit towns we like to check out public art and unique or obscure places in the towns. Deep in a Google search I discovered the Roseanne house was in evansville. How cool is that? I loved this show growing up. I couldn't wait to get This page added to Yelp and share my experience. It is very much an active and lived in house. It does not offer tours which is fine because the show was shot in a studio audience. So the outside of the house is all that was ever used. So you get your photo ops from the street level. To respect the current owners policy we stayed across the street. A few other people did the same. This house is located on a side street right across from Evansville university. I'm not sure the connection to the show and this house in Evansville but it was a cool trip down nostalgia lane for me. Overall very cool and fun find and an easy few minute place to check out. Lastly, I wonder if this house goes all out on Halloween decorations? How cool would that be? Roseanne show had the coolest and best Halloween episodes that I still love to watch every October.

If you're a fan it's definitely worth the drive by and to take a couple pictures! Just don't…read morebother the people who live there. But, it's exactly like in the show!

Friday May 16, 2014, Tony and I was visiting this lovely little historical river town in Illinois…read more It reminded me so much of little towns along the Ohio River in Ohio and West Virginia The house was closed the day we were here, so I was able to take some photos and then look them up on the internet to find out the history. Below the History of the home and the connection to the Trail of Tears Buel House, according to local tradition, was a significant site on the Cherokee Trail of Tears. The family of tanner Alexander Buel (?-1894) was said to have fed pumpkin to hungry Cherokee Indians being driven west by the federal government in 1838. The story is probably not true, however, since records indicate that the house was built in 1840. Still, it is a historically significant structure, having been continuously occupied by generations of one family for 146 years. There are indications that over the years Cherokee stopped at Golconda to trade while journeying to visit their former homes in Georgia. The Buel House, along with much of Golconda, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, as part of the Golconda Historic District. Situated at the base of the Ohio River bluffs, the two-story rectangular square-log structure has one-story additions on the east and north sides of the original building. Also on the site is a restored and furnished log cabin used for interpretive programs by the Pope County Historical Society. A paved lot provides parking facilities. The Pope County Historical Society provides maintenance services for the site and volunteers for guided tours. I would like to go here and check it out and tour the home. It is located down near the Rivers edge on Water Street.