From Trails to Museums: Experience Indiana’s Cool North Heritage
Posted on October 1, 2025 by Dina Miller
Indiana’s Cool North is rich with history, offering travelers a journey through time. Explore historic sites like the Barker Mansion and Buckley Homestead, wander scenic heritage trails in Amish Country and Indiana Dunes Indigenous Cultural Trail. Celebrate diverse ethnic heritage through cultural events, museums, and community festivals, while strolling charming small towns. From Native American roots to immigrant influences, history and culture come alive across this northern Indiana region.
From Water Wheels to Wilderness: Deep River County Park
Deep River County Park in Hobart, is a 1,362-acre park that blends natural beauty with rich history. Its centerpiece is Wood’s Historic Grist Mill, originally built in 1838 by John Wood, marking one of Lake County’s first industrial sites. The mill, restored in the 1970s, features a working water wheel and offers demonstrations of traditional cornmeal grinding. The park also includes picnic areas, hiking trails, fishing spots at Big Maple Lake, and seasonal hayrides, making it a popular destination for both education and recreation.
For information on nearby lodging and Trip Ideas. Request a destination guide for the South Shore.
- 29 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
- 43 Minutes to Michigan City
- 83 Minutes to Elkhart County
