6 minute read
Things To Do
Batter Up, Hear That Call On This Indiana Day Trip
There’s no crying in baseball, and my mother and I were all smiles as we spent a day sightseeing in Dubois County, Indiana. From the cute breakfast cafe where we started our day to the grand finale at League Stadium — site of the filming of the 1991 hit movie A League of Their Own — we enjoyed a mother/daughter outing full of experiences that will be fond memories for years to come.
Dubois County is about an hour west of Louisville along I-64 in Indiana, and it encompasses the towns of Ferdinand, Jasper, and Huntingburg, all located to the north of I-64 and on Eastern Time. The same exit 63 will lead you to St. Meinrad Archabbey and Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, located to the south of I-64 and on Central Time. For our outing, we stuck with new-tome Dubois County, and we were delighted at what we discovered. I recommend checking out the Visitors Center for expert advice on a day that will meet your interests. I’d like to give a special shoutout to Whitney Lubbers, executive director of the Dubois County Visitors Center, who took great care of us.
Ferdinand
We started our day with a stop at the Cascade Cafe, a family-owned breakfast spot in Ferdinand. Conveniently located about 2 miles off exit 63, the cafe is a favorite morning destination for locals and lucky visitors like us. Open since 2022, it offers everything from traditional hot plates to mouthwatering homemade cinnamon rolls that make for a great take-home treat for anyone who wasn’t able to join you on your outing (to which my granddaughters can attest).
Our next stop was the nearby Monastery of Immaculate Conception. Known as the “Castle on the Hill,” the monastery was founded in 1867 and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the home of one of the largest Benedictine communities of women in the United States. Its distinctive Romanesque dome rises over the town of Ferdinand and is visible from great distances. Visitors are able to take a guided tour, attend Mass, and take part in retreats and programs. The monastery grounds include a gift shop with handmade crafts and baked goods from the sisters and other unique spiritual merchandise. Located near the gift shop is Saint Benedict’s Brew Works, an independently operated brewery offering locally brewed and cleverly named craft beers such as Dark Souls and Raising Lazarus IPA, as well as a light food menu and locally made root beer.
Huntingburg
Huntingburg’s Historic Fourth Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been lovingly restored to a charming Victorian downtown. With its brick-paved streets and sidewalks, it is home to locally owned antique and specialty shops and unique eateries. The Huntingburg Merchants Association hosts themed strolling tours throughout the year.
Historic League Stadium was built in 1894 and renovated in 1991 by Colombia Pictures in preparation for filming the 1991 hit movie A League of Their Own, directed by Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell. The movie was set in the early 1940s during World War II when the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was formed. League Stadium served as the home stadium for the Rockford Peaches. You can see a replica of the Peaches’ bus in front of the stadium. Original advertisements and the original scoreboard from the movie still remain along the outfield fence of the ballpark. (As an extra treat to ourselves, Mom and I watched the movie when we returned home!) With a seating capacity of 2,800, League Stadium is still a working stadium, home to the Dubois County Bombers, a collegiate Prospect League baseball team, and the Southridge High School Raiders. This summer the stadium will host the inaugural Big League Classic on August 10, featuring former MLB players from the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds.
Jasper
Only a 20-minute drive from Ferdinand lies the town of Jasper. We were treated to a tour of The Spirit of Jasper passenger train, which has an exciting fall and summer excursion schedule available on their website. Highlights include trips to Dubois County League Stadium and Bombers Baseball, Chocolate and Wine Ride and Dine, Pizza and Beer Ride and Dine, Strassenfest Rides, and Spirit of Autumn rides.
Downtown Jasper is a walkable area that includes the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center, home to numerous galleries, studios, workshops, and a black box theater. Located behind the Thyen Center is the Alexander Schoolhouse, a historic one-room schoolhouse built in 1918 and a popular destination for school field trips. Nearby, the Jasper City Mill, completed in 2009, is the third mill to occupy its current site on the Patoka River, with the earliest mill constructed in 1815. The old mill’s most famous visitor is said to be Abraham Lincoln, who came with his father in 1828 to grind the family’s grain. The current Jasper City Mill incorporates features of the two earlier mills, including a water-powered wheel and grindstones. The mill stones are originally from France and are approximately 200 years old. Visitors can tour the mill and enjoy the peaceful setting on the Patoka River.
When in Jasper, eat at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant! We couldn’t resist lunching at this wellknown eatery, featuring authentic German cuisine along with a gift shop offering German-inspired specialty items such as chocolates, nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, and more. The restaurant also offers the “Wunderbar” salad bar and other American cuisine. The site of the Schnitzelbank Restaurant was originally a tavern when purchased by the Hanselman family in 1961, but it has grown into a full service restaurant, event venue, and catering business that cooks onsite, serving Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
Story and Photos by Patti Hartog
Today's Transitions | Summer 2024
