St. James Lutheran Church

The St. James congregation was formed in 1850 and occupied two different locations before moving to its current building in 1884. The building was constructed by the Grace Episcopal Church in 1872 and at the time of its construction it was considered one of the handsomest churches in Lafayette. Grace Episcopal decided to merge with another Episcopal church and its building up for sale. St. James conducted all of its services in German until 1917 when it began holding a German service in the morning and an English service in the evening.

The church is built in the Gothic style. The carved tracery around the three front doors and stained glass window are characteristic of gothic architecture. The west (left) tower also has elaborate tracery around its vents.

Links

• Gothic architecture
• St. James Lutheran Church
• St. John's Episcopalian Church
  

Location


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Sons of Abraham Synagogue

The first Jewish congregation in Lafayette organized in the 1840s and officially formed into an orthodox congregation in 1889. This building was constructed in 1904 and was a cross between modern and traditional architecture at the time it was created. The stain glass window above the entry shows a menorah during daylight and a kiddush cup during the nighttime due to the coloring of the glass.

Links

• Sons of Abraham Synagogue
  

Location


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First Baptist Church

The First Baptist congregation was organized in 1835 when there were around 1000 baptists living in Lafayette. The church held baptisms in a canal by the Wabash River from 1855 until the completion of the current church building. Construction of the church began in 1869 and was completed in 1872. Later an 18 stop tractor-action pipe organ built by Hook & Hastings Organ Company was purchased which was equivalent in cost to the building of the entire church. In 1921 the spires on top of both towers were removed--the taller of which had reached 210 feet into the air-- and replaced with the current parapets.

The church is built in the Norman Gothic style. The corbels, tall thin columns, round arches, and quatrefoil window are all characteristics of Norman Gothic architecture. The interior of the church has stained glass windows and walnut woodwork.

Links

• First Baptist Church
• Norman architecture
• Gothic architecture
  

Location


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Trinity United Methodist Church

Trinity United Methodist's congregation was organized in 1824 before the city of Lafayette was founded. The lot where the church building is located was not purchased until 1868. The spires of the church were updated in the 1920s. The church is built in the Gothic Rival style.

Trinity's stained glass windows were designed by Edna Browning Ruby a world famous artist from Lafayette. She began making stained glass at the age of 28 and soon became world famous. She also made stained glass windows for area churches including Stidham United Methodist Church and Elston Presbyterian Church.

Links

• Trinity United Methodist Church
• Gothic Revival architecture
• Time article which mentions Edna Browning Ruby
  

Location


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First Christian Church

The congregation of First Christian Church was organized in 1839. It moved between meeting places until 1914 when it constructed its current building. The church originally had open belfry, but this was removed in 1954. At that time a closed bell tower and addition were added.

The original building is in the Craftsman style. The additions to the building and new bell tower are built in the modern Gothic style giving the entire building a blended feel.

Links

• First Christian Church
• Craftsman style architecture
  
• New Gothic architecture
  

Location


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Famer's Mini-Markets

Although the regular farmers markets of the year are over, you can still buy your local produce in downtown Lafayette. Mini-markets are open many weekends from 8 am until noon. These events do not appear to be listed on the Lafayette Farmers Market website, but they can be found on the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce site.

Dates (time 8am-noon)

• November 13, 2009
  
• November 21, 2009
  
• December 5, 2009

Links

• Lafayette Chamber of Commerce schedule of events
• Lafayette Farmers Market
  

St. John's Episcopal Church

St. John's congregation was organized in 1837. The land for the Church was donated by the Pastor, Reverend Samuel Johnson. The first church building was erected in 1838 and a larger building was built in 1858.

This building is a Gothic Revival style church. It is a brick structure but is now covered in stucco.

Links

• St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette
  
• Gothic Revival architecture
  

Location


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306 Ninth Street

306 Ninth Street

301 Ninth Street

301 Ninth Street

300 Ninth Street

300 Ninth Street

115 Ninth Street

115 Ninth Street

230 Ninth Street

230 Ninth Street

226 Ninth Street

226 Ninth Street

222 Ninth Street

222 Ninth Street

221 Ninth Street

221 Ninth Street

216 Ninth Street

216 Ninth Street

213 Ninth Street

213 Ninth Street

212 Ninth Street

212 Ninth Street

207 Ninth Street

207 Ninth Street

122 Ninth Street

122 Ninth Street

118 Ninth Street

118 Ninth Street

116 Ninth Street

116 Ninth Street

114 Ninth Street

114 Ninth Street

111/113 Ninth Street

111 and 113 Ninth Street

110 Ninth Street

110 Ninth Street

106/108 Ninth Street

106 and 108 Ninth Street

102/104 Ninth Street

102 and 104 Ninth Street

202 Ninth Street

202 Ninth Street

Feast of the Hunter's Moon

This is a multi-day festival which commemorates an annual fall gathering that Native Americans and French fur traders had at this location during the 1700s. All sorts of activities take place during this weekend. Food, games, music, battles, crafts, sales, canoe races, and other activities occur throughout the day. The re-enactors represent members of the Native American, French, British, and American communities who spent time at the location of Fort Ouiatenon.

The prices are expensive for food and souvenirs, but there are many things to do for free. Make sure to pick up a schedule of the event so that you can plan to see all of the main activities which interest you.

Amenities

• Buses are available for rides out to the location
  
• Food may be bought from vendors at the event
• Restrooms are available at the event
  

Links

• Official Website
• Tippecanoe County Historical Society
• Wikipedia
  

Map
This event occurs at Fort Ouiatenon

Wabash Campus

Wabash College's campus is very scenic. The grounds are well manicured and landscaped and the buildings are all red brick with white trimming. The overall feel of the place was very nice. It has an old fashioned traditional feel to it.

While the campus may not be worth a visit in and of itself, it is worth stopping by for a walk if you're in town.

Amenities

• Parking is available in lots and on the streets but it may be hard to find during normal business hours
• Restrooms are available in the buildings
  

Links

• Official Website
• The Bachelor (Student Newspaper)
  
• Wikipedia page
  

Map



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Tippecanoe Cove

Tippecanoe Cove has water slides, a river-like flowing channel, balance walks, a sand play area and other attractions. It is a really good water park for younger children; however, it can get very crowded. If you go on a day when the weather is not as good, the lines are shorter as opposed to nice sunny days when the park is packed. Younger children will love this park, but there is a height limit to some of the rides.

Amenities

• Admission is not free
  
• Changing rooms and showers are available
• Grassy areas and deck chairs can be used for sunning
  
• Parking is available but limited
  

Links

• Lafayette Aquatics
  

Map


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Speed Cabin

Located just beside the Lane Place, this small cabin can be viewed through glass paneling inside the doorway. It is difficult to see the inside of the cabin because of the darkness and reflections on the glass. The cabin was not originally located next to the Lane House, but it was moved to this location, so the historical society could preserve the building.

Nevertheless, it is interesting to see a typical American house from the mid 1800s. The Lane House next door also started as a log cabin. The Speed Cabin served as a stop on the underground railroad before the civil war.

Amenities

• It is free to walk by and observe
• It is located next to the Henry Lane Place
  

Links

• Historical Marker Database
  
• Waymarking page
  

Map

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Montgomery County Rotary Jail

The rotary jail was invented by William H. Brown of Indianapolis and was supposed to be escape proof. This proved to be the case (when there was not jailer error) although the rotary jails were terrible to live in. One inmate said that he would rather spend six months in a normal jail than six hours in a rotary jail. Nevertheless, between six and eighteen rotary jails were built at great expense. The only remaining operating rotary jail in the world is located in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

This jail was an interesting place to visit. You can see the jail cells rotate around their core and learn about what life was like for the jailers and inmates. It is very interesting to see the workings of the jail, but it makes you sad knowing of all the men who were locked up in it. The tour guide can tell you all sorts of stories about the history of the jail and the people who inhabited it.

Amenities

• Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children
• Guided tour of the study
• Parking is available on surrounding streets
  

Links

• Ben L. Ross description
  
• City of Crawfordsville website
  
• Historical Marker Database
• Official Website
• Wikipedia Rotary Jail page
  

Map


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616 Ninth Street

616 Ninth Street
Cottage Bungalow 1920

614 Ninth Street

614 Ninth Street
Cottage Bungalow 1925

613 Ninth Street

613 Ninth Street
Bungalow circa 1915

610 South Street

610 Ninth Street
Queen Anne circa 1890
Note porte cochere and second floor sleeping porch

609 Ninth Street

609 Ninth Street
American Foursquare 1922

605 Ninth Street

605 Ninth Street
Gable Front Vernacular cottage circa 1880

604 Ninth Street

604 Ninth Street
Queen Anne circa 1890
Note cantilievered wall extension on north side

602 Ninth Street

602 Ninth Street
Free Classic circa 1890
Note original porch and railing

601 Ninth Street

601 South Ninth Street
Free Classic circa 1885
Note side bay and leaded windows

Five Points Museum

This is an old fire station in Lafayette that was turned into a museum at the end of its active use. The station was built in 1921 and was one of the first in the area to be able to house a motorized fire engine. The base served the Lafayette area for 80 years before being converted into a museum. The fire station is set up in a manner similar to what it was like during its operational years.

The museum is staffed by volunteer retired fire fighters who are very knowledgeable about the equipment and building's history because they used this same equipment and may have worked from this station. Children will love having the chance to see the fire engines and equipment.

Amenities

• There are antique toys and old fire equipment inside
• There are two antique fire engines in the station
  
• There is no parking lot but parking can be found on the surrounding streets
• There is free admission
  

Links

• Early Alert Lafayette
  

Map

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Lew Wallace Study

Lew Wallace was a remarkable man. He as a successful soldier, diplomat, inventor, author, artist, and father. Towards the end of his life he built this study where he could retire in peace and write. Lew Wallace is best known for writing Ben-Hur, but he also served as a general in the American Civil War and fough in the Mexican-American war. Diplomatically he served as an ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and held several governing positions out west.

The Lew Wallace Study is a pleasant place to visit. It is walled off from the surrounding streets giving it a feeling of tranquility. The building itself is interesting to look at it almost seems like a toy castle. The interpretive center shows a video about Lew Wallace's life and displays artifacts relating to his accomplishments. Inside the study, one can see artwork, awards, and memorabilia collected by Lew Wallace.

Amenities

• Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children
• Guided tour of the study
• A video telling the story of Lew Wallace may be seen
  
• A parking lot is available
  

Links

• Official Blog
  
• IndianaBeautiful.com description
  
• MySpace page
  
• Official Website
• Smithsonian site
  
• Wikipedia
  

Map

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Henry S. Lane Place

The Lane Place was home to Henry S. Lane and his wife Joanna. The building was originally a log cabin, but it had several additions made to it, so that became a very large house by the standards of its day. The Lanes were a wealthy family and had their piano and several large mirrors shipped to the house from the East Coat. The shipping cost of their piano was equal to its retail price. Lane served as a senator during the Civil War. He was against slavery although he disagreed on tactics with most abolitionists. My tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Lane family and area history, so you should be able to learn everything you want from a visit.

Amenities

• Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children
• Guided tour of the house
  
• Free parking is available on the surrounding streets
  

Links

• City of Crawfordsville page
• Montgomery County Historical Society
  
• State history marker
  
• Waymarking page
• Wikipedia entry
  

Map

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Carnegie Museum

The Carnegie Museum was the first Carnegie library built in Indiana. It opened in 1902 and served as Crawfordsville's public library until 2005. The current library is situated across the road. The museum has memorabilia and posters documenting the regions history and explaining how it developed. Touring the museum should not take an extended period of time.

Amenities

• Free admission
  
• There are bathrooms available
  
• Free parking is available on the surrounding streets
  

Links

• City of Crawfordsville page
• State history marker
  
• Waymarking page
  

Map

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902 Kossuth

922 Kossuth c. 1930

Spanish Eclectic

Note tile roof and copper gutters

822 Kossuth

822 Kossuth
Craftsman Bungalow c. 1916

802 Kossuth

802 Kossuth

Colonial Revival c. 1915

714 Kossuth

414 Kossuth
Bungalow c. 1910

Castaway Bay

Castaway Bay has a spraying fountain area and a pool with three segments: shallow, intermediate, and deep (roughly the height of an adult). There is also a basketball hoop for playing in the water.

This pool is mostly designed for children. Parents can either get into the water with their kids or sit on the grass and lawn chairs around the pool. The pool is not as big as might be desired, but there is plenty of room for children to play.

Amenities

• There are bathrooms and showers in the changing rooms
  
• Deck chairs, umbrellas, and grassy areas are available for sitting or laying around the pool
  
• Parking is available next to the pool
• It is located in Armstrong Park
  

Links

• Lafayette Aquatics page
• Lafayette Online (has current prices)
  

Map

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