Our first stop in Indiana was at Columbus, a small city 40 miles south of Indianapolis. We had been to the Indy 500 in 2008, long before starting our adventure, so we were looking for another interesting city in the area. By the way, if you haven’t been to the Indy 500, put it on your bucket list – even if you aren’t a racing fan it’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Columbus turned out to be an unassuming town with a population of 44,000, and a big reputation. As always, the visitor center was our first stop, and we were aghast when we were charged $3 for a map of the city’s art and architecture tour. I’m sure you fans of architecture would be more than happy to pay it, but we usually get all maps, brochures and tons of information from a visitor center for free. Anyhow, we bought the map and then watched their 15-minute video about the city of Columbus.
From the video we learned that it’s the unique and varied architecture that put Columbus on the map, and it was due to the foresight of J. Irwin Miller of Cummins, Inc. In case you don’t know, Cummins is the builder of millions of diesel engines used around the world in trucks, tractors, generators and…motorhomes! In 1957, Mr. Cummins made an offer to the city that the Cummins Foundation would pay all architect’s fees for new public buildings in Columbus. But there was a catch – they had to hire architects from Miller’s pre-approved list.
Thus this small midwestern city has buildings by Eero Saarinen, Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei, Kevin Roche, Richard Meier, Harry Weese, César Pelli, Gunnar Birkerts, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Many of the structures feature interiors designed by Alexander Girard. I don’t know who any of these guys are, but they’re apparently well known in the world of architecture and with their work they made the city somewhat famous.
We are not serious fans of architecture, but the story of how this small city has strived to be its best is both interesting and inspiring. We strolled around and viewed only a few of the more than 60 private and public buildings designed by the notable architects.
Public art and sculptures were located throughout the city. For some, we had to pause to figure out what they were about.
And that’s how Columbus got its nickname as the “Athens of the Prairie”. It’s due to the city’s many large contemporary architectural structures and public sculptures.
When Steve learned that Cummins, Inc. is the #1 employer in the city, he immediately tried to find an engine plant tour. You see, many motorhomes like Betsy have Cummins engines. Unfortunately, he was disappointed to find out they don’t give tours, and he had to settle for a picture of him with a nice ISL engine just like Betsy’s.
Walking around town and gawking at all of these interesting buildings made us hungry and thirsty. And what better way to cool off on a hot summer day?
Can you say COLD BEER?!
Mississinewa State Park
We left Columbus after only two nights and headed up north. Our next stop was at Mississinewa State Park, with the intention of getting back to nature and having some quiet, peaceful evenings. But when we arrived there we found once again that state parks are completely packed with noisy families during the summer, especially on weekends. We like to see people having a good time, but I had trouble dealing with the nearby screaming (and drunk) mom who was having way too much fun. Fortunately, all the families left after a couple of days and it seemed like we were in a totally different place.
To get away from the madness, we hiked, biked and stayed away from the campground as much as possible those first couple of days. But alas, staying away from the crowd also led to my encounter with the chiggers 😦
I’m happy to report that the itching is gone, and hopefully the remaining scars will disappear in the next few weeks.
Here are some things we encountered while in the wild, and somewhere along the way is where I picked those damn chiggers…
I was pleasantly surprised to see these gulls along the lake! I last saw gulls in Alabama, and here they were as a reminder of our fun times along the coast.
In the evenings we strolled to the lake for fresh air (the park was very smoky as most campers had fires going). We even took a nap on the picnic tables while waiting for the sunset.
I was finally rewarded with a gorgeous sunset to cap our stay at Mississinewa Lake.
Lowes Travels 
Although I am into architecture, those particular buildings hold no interest to me… kind of ugly in my opinion. Perhaps they were considered state of the art during the building time period. We too have had our fair share of ‘weekend’ moments. I just don’t get the 30 year old mom smoking, drinking, and swearing around little children. I wish I could say I’ve only seen that once, but such is not the case. Oh well, on the bright side – we don’t own real estate next to these people, it’s only temporary and we all move on. 🙂
Ha ha, agree Ingrid, we were both underwhelm and scratching our heads! But somebody has to show and tell 🙂
To be able to move out a spot if we don’t like it, is the brightest side in our lifestyle! I can’t imagine being neighbors to those loud mouth.
Hey Steve those are some engines… I particularly like the exploded view… brilliant…
Hmm, only guys like those engines!
I can totally sympathize with you on week-ends in state parks. I know they have to work all week and that’s the only time they have to play but if they have to be rowdy and get drunk do they really need to do that in a park? Love your little circular pictures. Very creative. I have no clue how to do such a thing. I’m with Steve on the architecture. I think I can skip Columbus but thanks for letting me know. Having grown up in Ohio for 18 years I didn’t think there was really anything to do in either Indian or Ohio other than Hocking Hills State Park and Indiana Dunes. LOL
Yup, Sherry, somebody has to visit a town and tell about it. Both of us were underwhelm having been to other cities with great architecture.
The circular pictures is one of the style within wordpress, I think bloodspot may also have that ability.
You drove right by us! We are in Greenwood, just south of Indy. Drats….Since we are from this area, we often are tickled by Columbus’ bragging about their architecture. It is a strange, strange city with an odd self perception. Oh well, it takes all kinds.
I agree with your statement, a strange city with an odd self-perception, but I guess that is what they have to sell so tourist visit the city. This is not a tourist town, which in a way is good because there are less crowd to deal with. The city is clean, i give that, but the buildings ?not sure.
We had to pay for a state map in Oregon. That was ridiculous!
What an interesting story about Columbus. It looks like the architects did a great job. Very pretty city.
We know what you mean by noisy state parks. We do like you two…leave all day.
I can understand a state map not to be free, but a map around town? that’s ridiculous. We learned our lesson now, avoid state parks during summer or during weekends.
It is interesting to hear more about Indiana as we don’t venture beyond Indianapolis when we go there to visit family. I can’t say any of that architecture did a thing for me either. Nice catch on that silkworm. 🙂
Luann, yup we were underwhelmed with the architecture 😦 But the city was clean and less frenetic.
Being a Nascar fan and a Jeff Gordon fan…I am sorry I was not at the Indy 500. Nice tour thru Columbus.
Huh. I really enjoy art and architecture — but Columbus looks like a total hodgepodge of unattractive buildings. I thought the post office was a car wash, too! Love the photo of you two relaxing on the picnic table. Glad to know you’re over the itchy chigger bites. 🙂
I’m with Steve on that being the ugliest church! Most of that architecture didn’t do anything for me. But I enjoyed seeing what others must like.
The Cummins engine would have fascinated John, as well. He loves seeing inner workings of our home.
Glad to hear your itching is better:)
I have to agree with Steve about that church – not a fan of modern architecture! I prefer the old crumbly stuff we have here in Europe. Glad you’ve stopped itching. I’ve stopped scratching on your behalf! Haha. We’re on a noisy campground too but the the sounds of the little darlings screaming are just far enough way to be muted and pleasant. I comment to himself, “Isn’t it fun to watch all these children playing and not be responsible for any of them?” I hope you’ve been left in peace now – from bugs and drunks!
I’ve seen charges for maps in some overseas VCs, but don’t recall ever paying for a brochure/map in the US. I wouldn’t mind paying for a map for something I was particularly interested, — seems like it might discourage waste of paper resources. But I would hate to see general info to be a pay-to-get thing at VCs.
LOL at the ugliest building. That was my thought, it is sub par. I like the Veterans Memorial the most. Very interesting. With our technology now, I can’t even fathom why they would charge $3 tourist for expedient maps. No thanks…. I am a cheap a$$ when it comes to traveling. 😀
I agree with you we ere truly shock at the $3 map charge, we have never bought a map from a visitor center before. Only those studying architecture would appreciate that, but not us. Yup that building did not really get us.