Indiana's Historic Pathways
Places to Visit
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Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (IN)
Big Oaks Refuge covers approximately 50,000 acres and provides food and shelter for a wide variety of plant and animal species. Over 200 species of birds, 46 species of mammals, 24 species of amphibians, and 17 species of reptiles are found on the refuge.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: From the byway's city of Versailles on the US-50 leg of the byway, head southwest on US-421 to the Big Oaks NWR.
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The B & O Depot and Caboose mark the centerpiece of the Railroad Days festival, which has been held annually for the last 21 years to celebrate the railroad’s importance in the development of the community.
Distance from byway: 1 mi / 1.6 km Travel time: 1 minute Directions: The depot is located less than a block from US 50, which is Walnut Street/Buckeye Street as it travels through downtown. Visitors would travel north on Short Street to reach the depot.
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Located near the entrance to what is now Versailles State Park, the Busching Covered Bridge was constructed in 1885 over Laughery Creek using the Howe truss, which was patented in 1840. The bridge is open to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and offers an opportunity to get an up-close view of 19th-century bridge technology.
Location: The entrance to Versailles State Park is directly on Highway 50, and the bridge is located approximately ½ mile north of the entrance on the main park road. Versailles State Park, P.O. Box 205, US 50, Versailles, IN 47042 39.06778, -85.23792
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Falls of the Ohio State Park (IN)
Falls of the Ohio State Park is home to some of the world's largest exposed Devonian fossil beds aged nearly 386 million years old. An Interpretive Center features exhibits and a movie depicting the history of the area, and nearby stands the George Rogers Clark cabin homestead, a replica of the cabin marking a Lewis and Clark departure point.
Location: 201 West Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN 47129
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Freeman Field Army Museum (IN)
Freeman Field was activated in December 1942 to train American pilots and graduated more than 4,000 before its closure in 1945. Today you can explore museum exhibits covering the history of the Freeman Field airbase and military aviation in general.
Distance from byway: 2 mi / 3.2 km Travel time: 1 minute Directions: The museum is located approximately 1.9 miles from US 50. Visitors would turn south on South Airport Road, and follow that as it becomes First Avenue; then turn left at D Avenue; turn right at First Avenue E and right at A Avenue.
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French Lick Spring Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel (IN)
Named for the nearby salt licks and mineral springs, which once drew bison traveling on their annual migration, these turn-of-the-century hotels illustrate the prosperity of the French Lick and West Baden area. And continue to attract visitors seeking to relax in the "curative" waters.
Distance from byway: 1 mi / 1.6 km Travel time: 3 minutes Directions: West Baden Springs Hotel is located approximately one mile from US 150, and the route is very well signed. At the intersection with Indiana 56, visitors would head southwest on Highway 56, and then turn right onto West Baden Avenue. To get to the French Lick Hotel they would continue on Highway 56 for another mile and the hotel is on the right.
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George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (IN)
This National Park site commemorates the conquest of the Northwest Territory and is the largest memorial outside of Washington DC. Learn about George Rogers Clark and the role of his exploits in the nation’s development at the park's visitor center.
Distance from byway: 3 mi / 4.8 km Travel time: 2 minutes Directions: The park is located approximately 3/10 of a mile from the western end of the byway. Visitors would turn west on South Second Street to arrive at the park.
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Located in Bedford, IN or the ‘Limestone Capital of the World,’ Green Hill Cemetery has one of the nation’s finest collections of stone carvings. The cemetery was founded in 1889 and displays the importance of the limestone industry in both regional development and in the artistry of the local craftsmen.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The entrance to the Cemetery is located on 18th Street, which is two blocks from the byway (US 50 is 16th Street as it runs through Bedford). Travelers would turn south on L Street, and then turn right onto 18th Street to reach the cemetery entrance.
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Built in 1803 for William Henry Harrison, Grouseland is a majestic two-story brick home built in the style of a Virginia Tidewater Plantation. It was quite luxurious for its time and certainly befitting a future president.
Distance from byway: 1 mi / 1.6 km Travel time: 1 minute Directions: Grouseland is located approximately 7/10 of a mile from the western end of the byway. From the intersection of Second and Vigo streets, visitors would head east on Second Street; turn left at Patrick Henry Street; Patrick Henry Street turns right and becomes North First Street; turn left at East Scott Street.
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Hillforest Victorian House Mansion (IN)
Hillforest, constructed in 1855 as the home of Scottish-born industrialist and financier Thomas Gaff, was designed to resemble a steamboat and features a third floor belvedere and rounded, double-tiered porches.
Distance from byway: 1 mi / 1.6 km Travel time: 1 minute Directions: Hillforest is located 4/10 of a mile from US 50, in downtown Aurora. To reach Hillforest from US 50, visitors would turn east on Indiana 56/Importing Street, then turn right onto Main Street, travel approximately four blocks on Main Street and turn right on Fifth Street.
