On a peninsula at the confluence of the Wabash and Eel Rivers, Logansport developed as a manufacturing center after the Wabash and Erie Canal reached this settlement in 1837.
In the early 20th century this was a center for the early automobile industry, home to now forgotten brands like Rutenber and Revere.
The Cass County Historical Society Museum, which recently opened a new building in downtown Logansport, has a Revere automobile built in the city more than a century ago.
France Park is a haven for recreation at a spring-fed former quarry, while Riverside Park features an historic carousel, hand-carved and painted more than 120 years ago.
1. France Park
On the site of a former quarry, there’s a stunning natural escape a little way down the Wabash River from Logansport.
France Park has all the hallmarks of a resort, with a gorgeous beach and facilities for a wide range of activities from scuba diving to fishing, disc golf (24 holes) and zip-lining.
There’s a scenic waterfall to marvel at, while the spring-fed waters at France Park are clear and blue.
You can venture off into the park along seven miles of marked trails, which double as cross-country ski trails in winter. If you’d like to stay overnight there are 200 modern or primitive campsites.
2. Riverside Park
Right on the Eel River, this 13-acre community park has delighted visitors since 1887. If you’re on the River Bluff Trail you can reach Riverside Park by crossing the Cole Bridge, for bikes and pedestrians.
The headline attraction at Riverside Park is a vintage carousel from the early 20th century, which we’ll cover in more detail later.
There’s also an historic miniature train, which was brought here from San Francisco in 1970 and usually runs on Fridays and weekends in the summer.
Added to all that is a miniature golf course, and a riverfront trail that continues west to Race Street.
3. Downtown Logansport
As Logansport’s population contracted in the mid-20th century, the central business district suffered most. During that time a raft of monuments were bulldozed, including the magnificent old courthouse.
Despite those losses, the Courthouse Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, still has some 80 contributing buildings. Among them are fine examples of Late Victorian and Romanesque Revival architecture.
These monuments set the scene for a downtown that has rediscovered its bustle, with public art, cultural venues, a smattering of restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shops for home design, musical instruments, jewelry and handmade gifts.
4. The State Theatre
A pillar for downtown Logansport’s arts district, this stylish Art Moderne theater has been a fixture since the early 1940s.
Before that time, the building that became the State Theatre was used for retail, housing a dry goods store and then a furniture company before its redesign.
For much of the last 80 years, this has been a movie theater, but when that closed in 2012 it was reborn as a live performance venue, first as The Shindig and now the The State Theatre since 2019.
The venue is being restored to its slick 1940s elegance, and is a memorable place to catch some live music, comedy, a play or one of the regular classic movie screenings.
5. Cass County Dentzel Carousel
A U.S. National Historic Landmark and one of only three of its kind, the carousel in Riverside Park was built by the Dentzel Carousel Company at the very start of the 20th century.
With hand-carved horses, deer, giraffes, a tiger and a lion, as well as four two-seater chariots, this is one of the company’s oldest surviving menagerie carousels.
This extraordinary piece of heritage is thought to have been made for an amusement park owned by the Fort Wayne Consolidated Railway Company, and was moved to Logansport in 1919 after the park closed.
The ride was restored in the 1990s and is open to the public on weeknights and weekends, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
6. Cass County Historical Society Museum
When we wrote this list the Cass County Historical Society was in the process of moving into a new building downtown at 421 E. Broadway.
Until recently the headquarters was the Jerolaman-Long House (1853), a sumptuous, 20-room Italianate residence, which will continue to function as a museum.
The society has a long history, going back to 1907, and maintains a superb research and genealogy center, which will move into the new building.
In the extensive collection are Native American artifacts, an historic log cabin from 1863, military uniforms and equipment, works by local artists and also a beautiful touring car built by the Revere Motor Company that was based in Logansport in the years after WWI.
7. River Bluff Trail
A real asset for Logansport is this shared-use path, managed by the Memorial Hospital Foundation and running just above the Eel River on the north bank.
Around 2.5 miles long and fully handicapped accessible, the River Bluff Trail is totally free of road traffic, and leads you to a canoe/kayak launch, through woodland and past a series of bridges on the Eel River.
The trail is also one link in a small network, connecting to Riverside Park and the picturesque Huston Park.
8. US 24 Speedway
Dubbed the fastest micro sprint track in Indiana, the US 24 Speedway is a short dirt track where spectators will miss none of the action.
There has been racing here since the 1950s and the track is known as an incubator for talented drivers moving up to categories like INDY Cars, Nascar Truck series, Xfinity Series and USAC Midgets and Sprints.
The season runs from mid-April to the end of October, with weekly races on Friday and Saturday nights.
There’s ballpark-style concessions, and the seats are close to the track so it’s a good idea to bring some kind of eye protection.
9. Myers Sport Bowl
This classic small-town bowling alley is locally owned, and gets a lot of praise for its friendly service and the great condition of its lanes.
There are 24 lanes at Myers Sport Bowl, combined with a snack bar, pool area and a big lounge that serves craft beer.
This stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and like most modern alleys has cosmic bowling, with blacklight and uptempo music.
Pizza and bowling is a match made in heaven, but there’s much more on the snack bar’s menu, like fancy loaded cheeseburgers on a pretzel bun.
10. Muehlhausen Aquatic Center
Logansport’s public outdoor pool has a two-month season, coinciding with the school summer break between early June and early August.
A little earlier, from Memorial Day Weekend, parents can bring kids to enjoy the splash pad. The main facilities at the Muehlhausen Aquatic Center are a lap pool, with various configurations, and a long, twisting water slide.
Keep an eye on the calendar for a long list of special events, from water games and activities to mark July 4 to “Dive-In” movies and Doggy Days to close out the season.
11. Air Indiana Skydiving Center
If you’ve ever been curious about skydiving, the easiest and fastest way for newcomers to experience this thrill is with a tandem jump.
This involves leaping from a plane at 5,000-6,000 feet while, attached by harness (at four points) to an experienced and certified skydiver. This instructor will have control of the jump, but you will get the chance to steer the parachute.
Air Indiana Skydiving Center, based at Logansport/Cass County Airport, offers tandem skydives for recreation, but also to students who want to progress to solo jumps. This experience is available April through October, during good weather.
12. Huston Park
On the River Bluff Trail you can take a detour along a connector trail for this tranquil park, set a little way in from the bank of the Eel River.
Huston Park is mainly for passive recreation, and a highlight is the looping trail, around 1.4 miles long, taking you through wooded areas where you come across deer.
Combine this with the River Bluff Trail, you could walk or ride a bike for miles in the heart of Logansport without having to deal with road traffic.
Huston Park’s amenities include a pair of playgrounds for little ones, as well as a large pavilion for outdoor birthday parties and family get-togethers.
13. The People’s Winery
For the latter part of the 20th century this fine Italianate building next to the State Theatre was in a state of decay.
The building now housing the People’s Winery dates to 1868 and was specifically intended to house a bank.
This was sold off to a local organization, which set up the People’s Bank, which only lasted a few years. Later it was used for storage by an electrical appliance dealer, as well as by the Salvation Army.
Since 2011 this landmark has had a new lease of life as the People’s Winery. Despite the name, this is more of a wine bar, with a large choice, including a number of wines from the region.
It’s a great place to sample Logansport’s creativity, with works by local artists on the walls and a vibrant schedule of live music.
14. Dykeman Park Golf Course
If you’re in the mood for a challenging round of golf there’s an 18-hole course right on Logansport’s northwestern outskirts.
Dykeman Park Golf Course is managed by the city’s parks and recreation department, and is a well-regarded track, much trickier than the relatively short yardage would have you believe.
The par 3s are particularly difficult, and the sloping greens will force you to consider your approach shots carefully. If you need to brush up on your game there’s a driving range and putting green.
15. Mary Max Cinemas Logansport 5+
This one-off cinema opened on the east side of Logansport in 2013, and is engaged with the community, offering free showings and discounts to seniors, veterans and groups.
Of the five screens here, two have 40-foot screens, with seating for around 200, and three have 29-foot screens and a capacity of 75 or so.
All have state-of-the-art projection, sound and reclining seats. Mary Max Cinemas also gets bonus points for specials like free movie screenings for kids during the summer, as well as its Monday night Date Night offer, with a discount on two tickets, a large drink and popcorn.