As we left the city of Dayton behind, we enjoyed the rolling countryside of western Ohio before rolling into the towns of Libertyville and Connersville, Indiana. Connersville, known as “The Little Detroit” due to its manufacturing history, Connersville offers a charming small town atmosphere.
Continuing southwest the town of Rushville is named after Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
About an hour later, we arrived in Indianapolis. Being the goobers that we are, the Indiana State House was the reason for our trip.
Built between 1855 and 1888, it has a beautiful central dome painted to resemble the inside of a cathedral. The stained-glass dome is made of 256 panels of glass. It is 105 feet from the main floor of the statehouse to the middle of the dome. The dome is 72 feet in diameter!
The building also houses numerous sculptures and portraits of famous Hoosiers and the House and Senate chambers feature desks that date back to the late 19th century.
.
.
Monument Circle is about a 10-minute walk from the state capitol. The centerpiece is a stunning Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which anchors the area. At 284 feet tall (just 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty), the bronze sculptures and ornate fountains are worth seeing from every angle. It was completed in 1901 by German architect Bruno Schmitz to honor Indiana’s veterans of the Civil War and other conflicts. Just across the street is a striking Episcopal church built in 1857. We were drawn to its impressive stained glass windows.
If you have more time in this area the Circle has a lot of shopping and dining options. Nearby is home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra housed in a beautifully restored 1916 movie palace, the Indiana Repertory Theater, and a canal walk.
.
We checked one more capitol building off the list and crossed another state line!
Did you know that the oldest and largest aviati
#camphairdontcar
