This twenty-eight-point-six mile round trip begins and ends at the Hartford City Courthouse in downtown Hartford City, Indiana. The courthouse was built in 1895 and is constructed of Indiana limestone. The roof is copper and has a beautiful green patina that blends well with the aged limestone. Take time to park your motorcycle and make a lap on foot around the square. Monuments for all the major wars mark the corners and the halls are open to the public during the weekdays.
If you're a fan of building signs from the early twentieth century then you'll be happy to find two original and unmolested signs on the north side of the square. The first is this 'Weiler's Department Store' sign.
The second is this better known 'Cremo 5 Cents' sign. At one time these signs could be seen all over the area. It's in the shadow of the Weiler's sign and facing the alley but still a treat to find if you're a sign hunter. Most of these old signs have been painted over like the next two.
This sign also on the north side of the square but harder to find above the old Mehling's Drug Store is this sign that has been a '...erry Grocer' and 'Mail Pouch' sign both. It was painted over green many years ago but it's faded enough to reveal it's past history as a sign. It's safe to say the grocer sign preceded the Mail Pouch sign. I'm trying to find out more information and if we can trace it's history we'll edit this page.
And finally this 'Ervin's' sign that was unmolested for many years but was eventually painted white a few years back. It too is starting to lose the newest paint and the old sign is starting to ghost back. This would be a prime candidate for restoration.
Hop on the bike and head out of town on IN-26 eastward. The highway jogs at the edge of town and shortly after crossing the tracks you'll turn right on Cross Road. If you claim to be either or both a gearhead and/or a motorhead then you have no doubt used 3M products. Everything from window tinting and masking tape to abrasives and 'Post-It' notes have been developed or produced here.
You might recognize this intersection as the header image to Road Rage. Turn left here; this is where Willman Road begins. The first 4 miles are nice and twisty but this is farm country and even though the road is fairly well maintained there's always the chance of chaff and marbles at intersections and corner apexes.
Blind corners reign supreme on this loop ride. Pre-run this road before you turn up the wick.
You'll travel Willman Road all the way to the north side of Eaton. On your first trip around this loop take time to enjoy the many rustic barns that dot the landscape. At the intersection of 1100 North turn right.
You'll pass through the north edge of Eaton and past Meridian Foods. Meridian is one of many links to agriculture you'll find on this loop. At the intersection of 1100 North and IN-3 turn left. Travel south 1/2 mile to Eaton-Wheeling Pike and turn right.
Eaton-Wheeling Pike is one of the nicer legs of this ride. The pavement is, for the most part, very good but as with anything in the rural farm country pre-run it first. Within the first mile you'll come to the elk farm. Well maintained homes with white fences line this portion of the pike. On the left you notice pens containing juvenile bull elk. These fellows are easy to spook by nature and they become very restless when vehicles stop near them. I'm always careful to park outside of their comfort zone but you can see they're already sizing me up and starting to become agitated. I have seen these huge males running up and down the fence row dragging their antlers along the posts warning us to keep moving. Get your picture and move on down the road.
The cows [female elk] are in pens on the right side of the road. They are more docile by nature and always further away from the fence line. You get a good view of the rolling Hoosier countryside at this vantage point.
Just up the road from the elk farm you can literally step back in time and touch the past. Mt. Zion Church and Cemetery are century and a half old.
The cemetery was founded in 1840.
This church was built in 1867 after the close of the Civil War. It is boarded up but obviously well preserved and cared for. The grounds are publicly accessible year around but I'm unsure if the church itself is ever open to the public. If we find out that it is we'll update this page.
Mt. Zion Church, 1867. One of several country churches on this loop.
The next site up the road is the Wheeling School House shown here. This the second of three old school houses on this loop and the only one that is in original condition. One is coming down brick by brick and the other was converted to a home years ago. Hopefully historical preservationist will see this a keeper and rescue it before the mother nature claims it for her own.
Wheeling School House - 1891
Back on the bike and at the intersection of Eaton-Wheeling Pike and Wheeling Pike continue straight on. You'll pass quickly through this little hamlet and towards the next little town of Matthews. Matthews was originally called New Cumberland and once vied for the title of state capital.
At the intersection of Wheeling Pike and Massachusetts Avenue you'll find the Matthews Family Restaurant. This place offers excellent home style cooking and is open seven days a week. Turn right here and travel down Massachusetts Avenue.
This is the Matthews Feed and Grain terminal. A lot of rural burgs like Matthews that lie miles from the closest state highway manage to survive if they have a successful grain terminal. Continuing on you'll see a sign to turn right on East 6th Street to the Cumberland covered bridge. Follow the bridge signs because the street changes names as the road winds through Matthews.
Matthews also has a tourist attraction that helps to keep this community alive. Every September Matthews hosts the Covered Bridge Festival. It's a very successful hometown event that features a city wide rummage and flea market with food vendors at the bridge park and downtown area both. Antique engine and tractor displays, good food and much more make this one of the best local festivals in these parts.
With a landmark as unique and beautiful as this old bridge it's easy to see why the citizens of Matthews are rightfully proud of their heritage. The bridge park lies just on the other side of this one-lane, 181 foot span. Take the time to roll slowly through and hear the wood talking as you pass through it.
All one-hundred-and-eighty-one feet of Cumberland Bridge in one shot. After crossing the bridge continue straight for 1-1/2 miles to the intersection of 1000 South and turn right. Continue for four miles to the intersection of 300 South and Angling Pike.
This is the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. Yet another well persevered and maintained country church; one of many that can be found all over rural Indiana. This one is still well attended every Sunday morning.
A sign with a name like that causes any rider's heart to quicken in pace. Turn left here and let the fun begin. We're sorry to say that this road was recently tarveed and has a real aggressive surface with loose chaff on the centerline and edges that is very hard to see. After a cleansing rain and on moderately warm days this road is a real joy to ride but don't forget the pre-run rule. Make sure you adjust your speed to road conditions, traffic and your own personal limits. You'll pass the last brick school house on this section where Angling Pike jogs with Gadbury Road. It was converted to a home several generations ago and is currently receiving another major make-over. When the project is finished we hope to feature photographs here. Angling Pike ends at 100 West; turn left here and proceed to IN-26. Turn right and continue one mile to the Hartford City courthouse.
Printable, turn-by-turn directions and map coming SOON!