[Robert Pence]

In September 2002 I set out on a road trip. My plan was to fairly-well cover the southern half of Indiana, but there's so much more to see than I anticipated that I barely saw the southwestern quadrant; even then, I skipped several places I would have liked to have visited.

Had it not been for a detour early in my journey, I would have missed the rustic charm of Frankton: :wink:
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I remembered learning in grade school about the mounds near Anderson, and for years I'd been driving past the sign for the exit on the I-69. I decided that this was as good a time as any to stop and look.

The Bronnenberg family, early settlers on this land, deliberately protected and preserved the ancient mounds, and probably built this sturdy brick house around 1850, according to most accounts. Recent archeological digs have turned up evidence of other farm structures in the vicinity of the house, along with prehistoric artifacts.
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The White River flows through the park. In this vicinity it's fairly shallow but looks like there would be good spots for bank fishing.
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The park contains several prehistoric earthworks. The most prominent and best-known one is the Great Mound, a circular knoll surrounded by a trench and then an earth embankment.
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I camped overnight at Mounds State Park, and the next day I continued on to Conner Prairie Settlement, on Allisonville Road at Fishers, between Noblesville and Indianapolis. Conner Prairie features living history experiences in an 1816 Lenape Indian village, 1836 Prairietown, and 1886 Liberty Corner and Zimmerman Farm. There's more here than can be covered well in a day; I spent all day just in Prairietown.

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William Conner was a fur trader, Indian Agent and land speculator who settled here and eventually became a state representative from Hamilton County. He built his brick home in 1823.

Eli Lilly purchased the Conner Farm, and after restoration he opened it to the public. Conner Prairie is comprised of about 1,400 acres. Lilly selected Earlham College to be trustee for the property after his death, and in recent years that connection has been severed and Conner Prairie Historic Settlement is now a distinct entity. The home has been restored and furnished appropriately for its time, and historic interpreters demonstrate pioneer skills like food preparation here.
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Doctor's Residence
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Artisans working here with a wood-fired kiln produce pottery sold in the settlement's gift shop.
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A covered bridge leads to 1886 Liberty Corner and the Zimmerman farm. This area was under construction when I visited, and not yet open to the public.
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Next up: Indianapolis Monon Trail and White River State Park

[KevinFromTexas]

Neat. Like taking a step back in time. That covered bridge is interesting.