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Published Mar/Apr 2005
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Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Ohio River Scenic Byway through Indiana to discover a slice of Americana.
By Ruth Chin |
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 hen Meriwether Lewis came down the Ohio River in August 1803 from Pittsburgh, he was opening the door to America’s vast West. Along the way, he passed by virgin timberlands that later would become Indiana in 1816. Arriving at the Falls of the Ohio, Lewis met William Clark at the home of Clark’s older brother, George Rogers Clark. They made final travel plans, recruited nine men for part of the crew and set sail from Clarksville, Ind., on Oct. 26, 1803 for Missouri.Two hundred years later, explorers following the Ohio River Scenic Byway will see a different Indiana than the land Lewis and Clark passed through. There are 302 Indiana miles that are part of the 943-mile scenic byway that follows the Ohio River in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. It passes farms, communities, archeological sites, locks and dams, as well as scenic overlooks. A trip along the byway makes for a beautiful spring sojourn. From Lawrenceburg to Mount Vernon After the Lewis and Clark expedition, land settlers came from the east down the Ohio River. Communities along the riverfront were settled first because they were accessible by river transportation. Today, historic homes and sites are well preserved in these communities. Lawrenceburg is proud of its historical buildings, including Vance-Touse, the city founder’s (Samuel Vance) 1818 home. The city is also home to the Argosy Casino and Hotel, one of several casinos along the Ohio River. West of Lawrenceburg is the town of Aurora. Its historic district boasts 200 buildings. Aurora’s architectural history is tied to early commerce. Industrialist Thomas Gaff built Hillforest Victorian House Museum in the mid-1850s when shipping and riverboats were significant in the growth of river commerce. Along Highway 56, the town of Rising Sun blooms as a growing community with flower-decorated sidewalks and interesting boutiques. It’s the county seat of Ohio County. While shopping the boutiques, don’t miss Harps on Main, where William Rees and his two sons make these instruments of various sizes. Art galleries, the Grand Victoria Casino and Resort, and Pendleton Art Center–home to 23 working artists’ studios–are other offerings to visitors. In Switzerland County, vineyards and wineries surround the town of Vevay. Ever since James Dufour petitioned Congress in 1802 for land to cultivate grapes for wine, Vevay has been a center for Swiss/French immigrants who knew how to make wine. The four-day Swiss Wine Festival (Aug. 26–29) is one of Indiana’s top 10 events. Historic Madison began its proud past in 1805 when the Indiana Territory settlers built homes much like the architecture styles found in their homelands. A good way to learn about the city is to take the Madison Trolley Tour operated by Keith Brubaker. He tells well-known facts and little-known secrets that make the trip interesting. The historic town has more than 33 blocks listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each year, the Tri-Kappa Sorority holds a house tour that draws visitors from afar. The Lanier Mansion with its formal gardens faces the river and is open for tours year-round. An unusual museum is the Ben Schroeder Saddletree Factory where saddle frames and clothespins were made from 1878–1972. Demonstrations are held at the museum. The Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville tells the history of the 52-acre shipbuilding yard founded in 1834 by 19-year-old James Howard. AAA members receive $1 off admission. A Chautauqua Festival is planned at the museum May 21 and 22. Clarksville, named after George Rogers Clark, is located across from Louisville, Ky. Nearby, the Falls of the Ohio State Park, a naturally exposed Devonian fossil bed, preserves 386 million-year-old fossils. A good side trip north of the Ohio River includes Spencer County and the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City. Here, Abraham Lincoln and his family lived from 1816–1830 before moving on to Illinois. Visit the living historical farm, open from mid-April through September, at the site. A short drive from there is the town of Santa Claus, home to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, one of the first theme parks in the country. AAA members receive $3.50 off adult general admission and $2 off senior and children (under 54 inches tall) tickets. Activities abound in Evansville, an important industrial center since it began. The downtown riverfront restoration project opened in 2002 and includes a 1.5-mile paved path that connects to a greenway that encircles the city. Here, hikers and visitors enjoy watching pleasure boats or barges go down the river past Mount Vernon and into the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Newer attractions include an IMAX theater that opened in December on the city’s east side. Angel Mounds State Historic Site is a 603-acre wildlife preserve and village site of prehistoric mound builders known as the Mississippian Indians. Inspiring scenery and historic communities dot the Ohio River Scenic Byway in Indiana. Make time this spring to explore the area touched by Lewis and Clark. Ruth Chin is a contributor from Muncie, Ind. |
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