DePauw attracts students from a lot of different places. Many students who come to school here have never been to Putnam County or Greencastle before. I often hear people complaining about not having much to do in the county, but I think it’s time that we all try to open our minds to the new experiences that living in a small town and county have to offer. Yes, if you come to Greencastle after living in a city (like me), it will be very different, but sometimes it’s good to experience living in a place different from where you grew up. There’s something to be said for the small-town lifestyle. In this article I’m highlighting just a few of the things that I find interesting about Putnam County. I hope that this can inform you of a few things that make Putnam County unique, and I hope it encourages you to try something new.
Covered Bridges
If you’re like me, you had never heard of a covered bridge until coming to Putnam County, but it’s apparently a large attraction here! There is even something in Parke County called the Covered Bridge Festival! There are multiple covered bridges in Putnam County, and there are even more in surrounding counties that provide scenic and peaceful attractions. If you want to take a look and learn about some of the covered bridges in Putnam County, check out this page: https://goputnam.com/explore/history/covered-bridges/
The Putnam County Museum
The Putnam County Museum is a great place to learn some new things about Putnam County. There are a lot of antique and artistic objects that represent the history of the county. If you’re interested in museum studies or antique items, you should check it out! The museum is located on N. Jackson Street, and admission is free!
Check out their website: https://www.putnamcountymuseum.org/
People Pathways
Something really cool about Putnam County is that they have something called People Pathways, a recreational trail that expands throughout the county, connecting public spaces. These trails can be used by walkers, runners and cyclists. If you’re thinking about getting some exercise, maybe give this path a try!
For more information, check out this page: https://goputnam.com/merchant/greencastle-people-pathways/
Parks! Parks! Parks!
Something that I like the most about Putnam County is the nature that it offers. There’s Cataract Falls, which has Indiana’s largest waterfalls, and is part of Cagles Mill Lake. There’s Fern Cliff, a trail with unique forestry and vegetation. There’s also Big Walnut Preserve, a beautiful place that is a National Natural Landmark! Check out this description of it from The Nature Conservancy, a conservation organization: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/big-walnut/
First Fridays
One way to explore more of Putnam County and Greencastle is by checking out First Friday. First Friday is a live music event that happens on the first Friday of each month during the spring and summer seasons!
These are just a few places in Putnam County that are overlooked. Even if you decide not to check any of them out, it’s always a good idea to learn about the place in which you are living in order to appreciate it. If you are interested in learning more about events, attractions, and services in Putnam County, I encourage you to check out the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau. It’s located on West Washington Street, across the street and a few doors down from Starbucks. Here’s a link to their webpage: https://goputnam.com/