Visitors can travel along the Historic National Road to experience the All American Road that opened the nation to the west and built the nation. Along the way, visitors will learn the history of the byway through the many interpretive panels that dot the route. The route begins in Richmond, Indiana at the Old National Road Welcome Center, where visitors can find information about exciting stops along the way and find unique made-in Indiana merchandise, Historic National Road collectibles, and local jazz recording memorabilia. Visitors can also spot the Madonna of the Trail Monument, an 18-foot tribute to the early pioneer women who journeyed west, which is one of only 12 of these statues in the United States. Within Wayne County, the downtown areas of Richmond, Centerville, and Cambridge City, which display many pre-Civil War buildings, exciting museums, and recreational trails.
As the route continues west, visitors should keep an eye out for buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places such as Guyer Opera House in Lewisville and a section of the original National Road. This portion of the original National Road, located between the towns of Raysville and Ogden, was bypassed during the improvements made by the WPA in the 1930’s to straighten and streamline the National Road route. Here, visitors can experience a taste of the pre-1930’s National Road, which had to curve and wind around the natural terrain and was little more than a simple country lane.
Continuing through Hancock County, visitors can explore downtown Greenfield and Greenfield Riley Park. On the park grounds, the Hancock County Historical Society has maintained both a chapel and an old log jail, which are both open to the public from April to October. Art and outdoor lovers will love exploring the Pennsy Trail and Arts, which runs parallel to the National Road. The 5.6 mile trail is complete with multiple installations of public art and sculptures.
The route then continues through downtown Indianapolis, the state’s capital, going along Washington Street, the capital’s “main street.” Today, the Washington Street-Monument Circle Historic District has many opportunities for visitors to explore cultural and historical attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Visitors should be sure to stop at the Indianapolis Arts garden, a seven-story arts and culture destination, which is located directly above the Historic National Road. Alongside the visual art exhibitions, visitors can also experience one of more than 250 public performances each year.
As the route continues west, visitors should keep an eye out for more portions of the original National Road. Traveling along the Historic National Road near Putnamville, visitors can see four generations of the National Road, where the road had been adjusted several times over Deer Creek. Along the way, visitors should be sure to stop at one of the many locally owned businesses along the way such as Oasis Diner, a stainless steel diner dating back to 1954, Lynn’s Pharmacy and Soda Fountain, the only old-fashioned drugstore soda shop on the Historic National Road in Indiana, and Clabbergirl Bake Shop and Museum, dating back to the 1850s.