A Quick Tour
For anyone wanting to get a feel for the history of Ligonier and its residents, the city makes it easy. All it takes is a few days of time to visit several top-notch attractions that showcase the city.
First stop should be the Ligonier Indiana Visitors Center, housed in a 1920s filling station at the stoplight on the corner of S.R. 5 (Lincolnway South) and West Union Street. There you can visit the Heritage Station Museum which has a collection of various artifacts from Ligonier's storied history, including a restored original Mier carriage which was built right here in Ligonier. There are also several antique radios, telegraphs and microphones dating from 1898 to the first all-transister radio which was manufactured in Indiana in 1954. Spring, summer and fall hours generally are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. There's no admission charge.
Just one block west of S.R. 5 is Ligonier's beautiful tree-lined main street. There you will find lovely three-story Victorian homes which were built by the city's large Jewish population at the turn of the century. Also on Main Street is the Carnegie Library and Gazebo Park.
On Lincolnway West is the Fashion Farm complex (October home of Pumpkin Fantasyland) which includes a restaurant, floral shop, greenhouse, and landscaping supply store.
Travel south of Ligonier on S.R. 5 and US 33 to find Stone's Trace museum, house, and tavern. Stop by and tour the inn's many rooms filled with American artifacts. Located at the junction of US 33 and SR 5, 2 miles south of Ligonier. Open Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, June through August. Tours Available (260) 856-2871.
Visit the only perfumery in the United States, Annie Oakley. Tours are available and a gift shop is open to the public. Visit their website for further information. www.AnnieOakley.com/tours
On West Union Street, five blocks from the visitors center is the G. Martin Kenney Memorial Park which opened in 1980. This 40 acre park includes a one-mile walking path, lighted ball diamonds, pickleball courts, sand volleyball, basketball courts, a splash pad open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend, children's play area and picnic pavilions.
While inside the park complex, be sure to visit the Ligonier Sports and Recreation Center. Opened in 1987, the 15,000 square foot facility includes basketball courts, weightroom, sauna, hot tub, exercise equipment and full locker room facilities. A community room is available for meetings and the center can be rented.
Enjoy walking the brick paths through the Jennie Thompson Gardens to view over 25 different flower beds or find a park bench and enjoy the solitude and soothing sounds of water trickling from the fountain. The garden is a lovely setting for weddings.
While travelling from stop to stop, you will notice many pleasant surprises along the way. Dotted throughout Ligonier's historic downtown are over three dozen larger than life murals. Each mural is based around a theme from Ligonier's past. Most prominent among these, is the three story "Strawberry Valley" mural located on the Northeast side of downtown. This scene depicts life as the early settlers would have encountered upon entering the Native American settlement known as Strawberry Valley and later, Ligonier.
Be sure to stop by and say hello to each of our life size bronze statues located in the downtown area as well. These statues were a gift from an anonymous donor and are a welcome addition to the quaint atmosphere in Ligonier.
Parks and Trails
Perhaps you are just looking to reflect on nature and take a relaxing stroll through one of our parks.
Other Parks in the city include Woodlawn Park, located on the site of a tourists camp along the Lincoln Highway. This tree filled park provides picnic tables, a regulation size soccer field, covered pavilions, a skateboard and BMX park, playground equipment and a large sandbox. The Park Department provides two rental buildings in Woodlawn Park. The Lincolnway Building to the left of the main entrance is available for event rental year round and the Scout Cabin located in the heart of the park is available for event rental during warm weather months.
Elkhart Riverwalk- This one mile walking path was developed along the banks of the Elkhart River and features beautiful scenic views. Excellent photo opportunities exist next to either of the two new aluminum pedestrian bridges which were installed in the summer of 2010. The best point of access is near Woodlawn Park just off of Bridge Street as you enter the Industrial Park. Visitors may park in the parking lot behind the Advanced Metal Etching building.
Triangle Park - Cavin Street - is home of the city clock and fountain. The city clock was donated in 1924 by John Cavin, son of our founder, Isaac Cavin. The fountain was donated to the city in 1894.
Prentice Park - Corner of Martin and Sixth Streets - is named after Nathaniel Prentice, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. Established around the turn of the century, this quaint park contains children's playground equipment and plenty of shade.
Jennie Thompson Gardens - Union Street, at entrance to Kenney Park - was established in 1993. Each year over 12,000 annuals are planted in the park. Take a stroll on the brick paths and stop and relax near the fountain.
Gazebo Park - Main Street, Next to the former City Hall - the Gazebo is a replica of our sister city's land mark in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
Carnegie Library Park - Main Street - the land was donated by the Estate of Issac Cavin, founder of Ligonier.
Oak Park Cemetery - located on SR 5 South of downtown - Established in 1865, the cemetery has a historic Jewish section which includes two mausoleums and many of the headstones are written in Hebrew.