The Indiana National Road Association has put together a collection of oral histories, together with a slide show on memories of Indiana’s US 40. These will be presented to the public on April 30th in Stilesville, Putnam County at the First Christian Church at 2pm. The church is one block south of US 40. It will also be presented on May 1st at the Clay County Historical Musem on National Avenue (US 40) in Brazil at 7pm. Call 765-478-3172 for more information. Clay County The next stop on US 40 is Clay County with the county seat of Brazil. This town has been actively restoring its historic buildings and sprucing up the town. The Clay County Historical Society has a museum in the old Post Office, which was built in 1911. Forest Park On summer evenings, Clay County is treated to weekly concerts by the Brazil Concert Band, which is one of the oldest continuing concert bands in the country. These concerts are held every Sunday evening in Forest Park. This park serves the whole community with a public pool, a playground designed by and for Clay County school children, and pioneer log cabins. The Fountain of Tales monument, at the entrance to Forest Park The Fountain of Tales monument, at the entrance to Forest Park, was a gift from a former president of Brazil, South America in 1953 to honor Brazil, Indiana for being the first U.S. city to take the name Brazil. Forest Park's log cabins Forest Park also has two log cabins, built in 1805 and 1851 by pioneers in what is now Clay County. You may remember that the nation’s first interstate highway, US 40 or the National Road, didn’t cross Indiana until 1834, so these cabins were built by very early Indiana settlers. The cabins were given to the Clay County Historical Society and have been moved to Forest Park. Brazil Attractions The Brazil Public Library is one of the few remaining Carnegie libraries. It is made of Indiana limestone and has a lighted stained glass ceiling dome inside. The Clay County Courthouse is another impressive building in Brazil. It was built in 1914 of Indiana limestone, and this courthouse is as grand on the inside as it is on the outside. The central rotunda has marble wainscoting, inlaid floors, and a massive arched dome of stained glass. There are also two cannons that were once used in the Civil War on the courthouse lawn. It seems with a building this magnificent, coming to the courthouse even for official business could be a treat. Lynn's Soda Shop Lynn’s Soda Shop and Pharmacy is right on US 40 in Brazil, and is well worth a stop. Lynn Hostetler, the owner and pharmacist, just finished restoration a year ago. Built in 1819, the building has been home to a variety of downtown businesses - billiard halls, confectioneries, toy stores, grocery stores and more. Lynn started the pharmacy here in 1974. Since his building had once been three different businesses separated by cement walls, there are three different patterns on the tin ceilings. The soda shop adjoins the drug store, and is reminiscent of a common scene in the 1950’s and 60’s when there were often soda shops in the backs of drug stores. One wall of the soda shop is lined with glass cabinets full of drug store memorabilia. The prices also are reminiscent of bygone days. Lynn’s is the only place I know of where a person can get a barbecue sandwich, chips and a real root beer float for $3.00! Rural Clay County A drive through the Clay County countryside is also a fine way to spend a day. The Eel River meanders through the county, and the old Wabash and Erie Canal once passed through the southern portion. Even the interurban railway, which ran from Toledo to Terre Haute went through Clay County, so reminders of old rail beds, canal bridges and dams can still be seen. There are five iron bridges in Clay County that are being considered for the National Register. Historic Poland Chapel Right on State Road 42 is the Historic Poland Chapel and Cemetery. The chapel was built in 1866 as a Presbyterian Church, and one hundred years later, in 1966 it was restored. The Poland Chapel is supported entirely by donations from visitors, who can stop in any day and look through scrapbooks and photos from church and community history. In 1991 the chapel and cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places. If you have a chance, stop and have a look around Clay County. Like so many places in this lovely corner of the world, the more you look, the more there is to see. <Back to Top> On to Vigo County -->

All Feature Articles, artwork and photographs ©1999 by Dervish Design. Some information on the 'County Info' pages is taken directly from brochures published by Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce.