This Is The Most Hospitable Town In Indiana
Folks from Indiana go by the nickname Hoosiers. The word has unclear and debated origins, but it's generally understood to have a connection to salt-of-the-earth, working culture. Hoosiers a hospitable bunch, even though they can't tell you where their nickname comes from. Out of all the hospitable towns you can find in Indiana, don't miss the underrated community of Rockville.
Residents in Rockville will gladly tell you about the county's massive number of covered bridges, the largest concentration of these rustic structures in the world. They will also happily welcome you for a cup of coffee or a slice of pizza at local diners, while regaling you with tales of its history as a war zone between the Americans and Native Americans during the War of 1812. By visiting this fun town, you can walk on covered bridges, wander through an 1800s village, or celebrate with residents during a covered bridge festival.
Read on to see why Rockville is the most hospitable town in Indiana.
History
The region around Rockville on the Wabash River has had a long history. Various groups of Native Americans have lived here for thousands of years, and the first European settlers in the area were the French, who set up the oldest founded town in Indiana at Vincennes. The French were forced to cede all of their settlements in the region to the British in the Seven Years' War. However, groups of Shawnee Natives still lived here, until they were forced out during the War of 1812 by General William Henry Harrison, who would go on to become a President.
In 1821, Parke County was established, and Rockville would become the county seat. The county was named after Captain Benjamin Parke, who commanded a group of light dragoons during the Battle of Tippecanoe. Rockville's first building was a log courthouse, which was replaced twice, once with a brick structure and again in 1882 with the Romanesque Revival style Parke County Courthouse.
Out of Rockville's historic structures, one of the quirkiest places is the Old Jail Inn. It served as the town jail from 1879 to 1998 with nine cells. As the name states, it has since been turned into an inn where you can book a stay in one of the cells, wear jail uniforms, or chat with the "jailer."
For a more classic historic experience, go to the Billie Creek Village. This restored village features an 1830s Beeson-Deplanty Log Cabin, 1886 Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, and a 1850s old-timey General Store that was originally located in Annapolis and today sells products from local artists, Amish artisans and farmers, and more. The village also contains several structures that Rockville is most known for: covered bridges.
Covered Bridges
Parke County is called the Covered Bridge Capital of the World, with 31 bridges in the county still standing. These rustic bridges are usually built with timber and truss, with a roof over it along with siding and decking. Their history goes back to Medieval times in Europe, and the 1700 to 1800s in the U.S. Their vulnerability to rain and other weather conditions makes them especially rare today.
Since Rockville has so many covered bridges, the community is particularly proud of them, and residents will happily tell you which ones to visit. Billie Creek alone has three of these bridges: the 1895 Billie Creek Bridge, the 1899 Leatherwood Station, and the the 1906 Beeson Covered Bridge. This last one was the only bridge built by a construction company: the Frankfurt Construction Company. This sturdy structure has survived much, from floods to arson, thanks to the community coming together to preserve it.
Some of Parke County's covered bridges are close to big state parks. Just to the west of Turkey Run State Park, you can find the Cox Ford Covered Bridge across Sugar Creek. Its deck had to be replaced in 1975 due to extensive damage. Today, you can take a canoe out onto Sugar Creek right by the bridge.
Festivals and Events
Every October, Parke County throws a massive Covered Bridge Festival, and Rockville is right at the center of it, making it a perfect fall destination. Each town in the county does it a little bit differently, but Rockville serves as the capital of the celebration.
The festival first got started in Rockville in 1957, and they've been going strong ever since. At the festival, you can pick up covered bridge maps or take a guided bus tour. Vendors are downtown selling antiques and homemade products. The Parke County Historical Society Museum and the Covered Bridge Art Gallery put up special displays during the festival.
If you come during the waning winter months of February and early March, you can try out some fresh pancakes while chatting with locals during the Parke County Maple Fair. For those who like to run with the locals, go to the Parke County Zoomtown Covered Bridge 5K Run/Walk in May. Starting in Rockville, you'll dash through covered bridges with other walkers and runners.
For a grand fireworks display, go to the Rockville Lake Park Independence Day Celebration, which is held a few days prior to the 4th of July in late June. Enjoy fireworks by the lake, along with live music, an obstacle course, and, of course, delicious fair food.
Restaurants and Shopping
Rockville's shopping scene leans on the vintage side, with many antique shops with cool items waiting to be discovered. Locals praise Rockville Retro for its extensive inventory of vintage goods and art, alongside a selection of healthy food for sale. Another popular local antique store is Aunt Patty's On the Square, which reviewers note is a great store to find hand-carved pendants.
There's a notable Amish presence in Rockville, and they regularly sell their kitchenware, soaps, and other homemade items at Swarey's Variety Store LLP.
As for restaurants, pizza is king in Rockville. Aaron's on the Square serves up pizza for lunch and breakfast items in the morning. Amore Pizza King offers homemade pies along with pasta, sandwiches, and salads. Rockville also has quaint coffee shops and family American restaurants such as Benjamins Family Restaurant and the Bloom & Birdie Coffeehouse.
Go on a hiking challenge in Marshall
After you're done exploring Rockville, you'll want to pay a visit to nearby Marshall. While just over 270 people call Marshall home, the town is a major hub for determined hikers looking to try out a real challenge at the Turkey Run State Park.
The sandstone ravines and canyons here offer pleasant hiking and challenging trails, especially the 5 Mile Challenge. This hike will take at least two to three hours to complete, as you have to ascend three canyons, climb a ladder, and make it across a suspension bridge. While you're on this challenge, you can see the historic Colonel Richard Lieber Cabin. This 1848 timber log cabin is the oldest of its kind in the state and was named after the father of the Indiana state forest system.
The Covered Bridge Capital
Rockville is a unique community that's deeply proud of its covered bridges. But as evidenced by its antique goods scene, local family restaurants, Maple Fair, and fireworks on the lake, Rockville has many other ways to welcome in visitors or old friends. By exploring the larger Parke County, you can check out all of the covered bridges or go hiking in the picturesque Turkey Run State Park in Marshall. This hospitable town is a great place to go to make memories.
