We drove the old scenic highway along the Wabash River between Peru and Wabash. We had much of the afternoon to spend in Wabash, so we headed to Paradise Spring Park, near downtown. The trail here is paved and very short, but there is a platform to view the river and a railroad trestle. A number of historic wooden cabins are here, too. The upcoming weekend chili festival was being held here, and preparations had already begun.
We decided to check out the main street next. After going the wrong way on a few one-way streets, I managed to safely park the vehicle and we tried our luck at walking. All three main towns--Peru, Wabash and Huntington--sit on both sides of the Wabash River, with the main downtown area north of the local bridge. The courthouses in all three are splendid, but the Wabash one has a special history. Wabash was the first town to be illuminated at night by electric lights. Guess how they did it?
We decided to check out the main street next. After going the wrong way on a few one-way streets, I managed to safely park the vehicle and we tried our luck at walking. All three main towns--Peru, Wabash and Huntington--sit on both sides of the Wabash River, with the main downtown area north of the local bridge. The courthouses in all three are splendid, but the Wabash one has a special history. Wabash was the first town to be illuminated at night by electric lights. Guess how they did it?
Wabash Court House, Wabash, IN (pop. 10,500)
They suspended four powerful spotlights atop the courthouse in 1880, shining them down upon the city. That must have been a very spooky scene. In one blow, appreciation of the night sky was wiped out. Astronomy has never recovered. Today was still a holiday Monday, and the courthouse was closed. It sits almost at the top of a high bluff overlooking the river and downtown area below.
Notice the antique store across the street, closed today. The next photo is a close up of their shop window.
After we looked at the photo at home, Deb noticed the two cat figurines in the background. See, I could have said I meant for that to happen in the photo, but I didn't. So now you know how honest I am. Everything you read here is true, even the elephant story (coming soon).
Wabash has a real treasure of a hotel downtown, a fancy place called The Charley Creek Inn. It resides in one of the larger buildings I have ever seen in a small town, a four-storey, full block building lovingly restored and currently just a bit beyond our price range. The lobby is beautiful, and free to visit. There is also a wine shop, with free tastings, and a bar/restaurant, which was my goal this afternoon. We got comfortable and I ordered up a nice pint of Rogue IPA (*** stars). Quiet afternoons spent in a cozy pub are one of my favorite things to do, especially if with a good buddy. Deb is a good buddy, even if she can't drink.
Directly across the street from the hotel is Modoc Cafe, and here begins the long-awaited elephant saga. Modoc was a female elephant visiting town with a circus. She and two female elephant friends were startled by a barking dog near them, and they all bolted. Modoc wandered a bit further, and sniffed out some roasting peanuts from a store on the site of the cafe. She barged through the doors, ate her fill, then left again, beginning a five-day walkabout. She made national news for a week before being recaptured, eventually lured back by freshly baked loaves of bread, made especially for her. Here is an article from the day (Friday the 13th, 1942), concerning the great Wabash elephant hunt.
Beorn, our VW Tiguan, parked at the scene.
Murals, statues, and a cafe celebrate Modoc the elephant.
Historic marker outside the cafe.
Cute elephant photo, inside the cafe.
Let's all adopt an elephant!
The cafe is filled with elephant memorabilia. I read the children's coloring book captions to get the full story of Modoc. Next door to the cafe is Bradley Brothers, where their coffee is roasted (originally they roasted peanuts). We bought a package of Pumpkin Spice Coffee to take home. We sat and had coffee and chocolate-covered espresso beans before setting out on our final adventure today in Wabash.
We found Charley Creek Walking Trail at the back of O.J. Neighbors Elementary School. Though a short trail, it is very scenic, all forested, and it follows and crosses Charley Creek. Though only 3/4 of a mile one way, an extension is possible at the end, once it arrives at the sports ground. Simply turn left, crossing over a trampled fence, and follow a wide path still within the woods to an old cabin that sits above the creek. We managed over two miles before returning to our vehicle.
Charley Creek Trail, Wabash, IN
After hiking we left Wabash and returned to Huntington. That adventure will be covered in Part 4. Hope to see you there!
Mapman.
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