Rush County: History, Riverside Park, and Special Places

Rush County combines historic landmarks with a variety of experiences around Rushville. Visitors can explore the region’s history, discover covered bridges and historic buildings, or spend time along the Flatrock River. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore especially important to consider whether you want to focus on culture, park amenities, events, regional specialties, or predominantly rural landscapes.

History and Notable Places

A good starting point for local history is the Gowdy House Museum of the Rush County Historical Society. There, you can learn about and understand the history of Rush County. The covered bridges also give the region a distinctive character. The Forsythe Covered Bridge was built in 1888, is 186 feet long, and features a Burr arch truss. The Smith Covered Bridge dates from 1877 and is located on the western edge of Rushville, while the Offutt Bridge was built northwest of Rushville in 1884. Both are single-span covered wooden bridges with Burr arch trusses. The Moscow Covered Bridge is 334 feet long and also features a Burr arch truss.

Other historic destinations are located in a variety of landscapes. The Hackleman Cabin is a log cabin built in 1808 using horizontal log construction. Four miles east of Rushville stands the Dr. Jefferson and Eliza Arnold Helm House, built in 1845 amid rolling farmland. In Rushville, a plaster bust in the courthouse and the grave at East Hill Cemetery also commemorate Wendell Willkie, who died in 1944. The Rushville Bicentennial Mural enhances the historic downtown and serves as a welcoming landmark for visitors.

Parks, River, and Shared Activities

Riverside Park in downtown Rushville offers an 18-hole disc golf course and walking paths. The Flatrock River forms the southern boundary of the park. On the south bank, near the Main Street Bridge, there is a launch site for boats and kayaks. Overlook Gateway includes a sculpture garden, a splash pad, and an accessible walking path. These different offerings make it possible to combine active and more relaxing activities without limiting your stay to a single attraction. Riverside Park Amphitheater also hosts six free concerts each year.

Rushville itself also offers additional opportunities for varied days out. Waggener Community Pool offers swimming lessons. The Rushville Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays from May through September and offers locally grown produce, baked goods, and handmade products. The historic downtown is home to Fish Moon Brewing Company, a craft brewery and brewpub. Rush County Fairgrounds hosts events on its racetrack every evening during fair week, as well as several other events throughout the year.

Choosing Accommodation Based on Travel Interests

Those who want to combine several cultural and culinary destinations can consider Rushville as their preferred focus when searching for accommodation in Rush County. The museum, Riverside Park, the theater, the farmers market, and the brewery are all located there. Those who instead want to explore individual historic buildings and the landscape around Rushville can include the Helm House, the Hackleman Cabin, and the various covered bridges in their plans. The locations range from the western and northwestern areas around Rushville to the Helm House, four miles to the east.

Memorial Gymnasium adds a sporting distinction to the city’s historic character: It was built in 1925–1926, and the first basketball game there, against Greensburg, took place on February 5, 1926. Today, it is the third-oldest venue still regularly used for high school basketball. The Iconic Princess Theatre has a history spanning more than 100 years and provides information about current programs and upcoming events. The Rush County Independent Chautauqua Association was founded in 1909; its events featured lectures, short plays, readings, singing, instrumental music, and comedies.

The page on Rushville offers additional perspective on the most important place mentioned. If you would also like to discover other destinations, you can find more pages here: Steuben County, Washington County, Kosciusko County, Spencer County, Allen, Jennings County, Jackson.

For the higher-level travel overview: Indiana.