We are long over-due for another glimpse into one of our unique communities here in Southwest Indiana, so today we are taking a virtual field trip to the City of Jasper, County Seat of Dubois County. We hope this will entice you to take an ACTUAL field trip with friends or family sometime soon to check out all of the charm and traditions that Jasper has to offer, not to mention wider Dubois County.
A perfect opportunity to visit Jasper is during Strassenfest (which literally means “street festival” in German), held annually during the first full weekend of August. As a celebration of the rich German culture that pervades Jasper, Strassenfest features food booths, pageants, contests, displays, exhibits, parades, Bier Garten, performances, dances, and more, throughout the City of Jasper. To really understand the full gamut of offerings, you must visit the Strassenfest Website. If you have never been to Jasper before, taking in Strassenfest is a perfect way to drink in the many highlights the town has to offer.
Even if you don’t take in Strassenfest, you can visit Jasper anytime because there are PLENTY of diverting attractions. A good first stop when visiting is the Jasper City Mill located at 160 Third Avenue. It is a working grist mill that grinds corn into cornmeal which is sold on site at the country store along with other memorabilia from the area. The inside of the mill also provides an historic narrative about the mill and its various iterations.
You don’t have to be a train buff to be thrilled by The Spirit of Jasper, a fully operational, beautifully restored passenger train powered by a diesel locomotive engine. During Strassenfest, the train operates several rides throughout the day on Saturday, but you will want to purchase tickets ahead of time here. Other train dining events are scheduled on Saturday evenings throughout the year. When October arrives, there are fall foliage ride and dine events. Visit the website to learn more about this unique train and all of its offerings.
If you visit Jasper in the middle of summer, the heat and humidity, like much of Southwest Indiana, can really wear you out. To find relief, there is nothing like a stroll near running water to restore a sense of calm and cool, so head on over to the Jasper Riverwalk, a 4.5 mile easy walking trail along the banks of the Patoka River. You can easily access the trail off of Clay Street in Jasper, not far from the City Mill. Plenty of benches and picnic tables along the route allow for resting when necessary, so bring a picnic!
Another outdoor option among Jasper’s many public parks, is The Parklands, which can be entered at 800 West 15th Street. This 75-acre Natural Destination boasts two miles of walking trails and a multi-purpose path, three ponds, a splash pad, and much, much more.
After your walk, you might want to find a bit of calm, so head over to St. Joseph Church, a historic church located at 1215 N. Newton Street, close to the heart of downtown Jasper. The parish was founded in 1837. The current structure was completed in 1880 at a cost of $80,000. Notable is the belfry of the tower, which was completed in 1904 and stands at 235 feet, and houses 4 bells that weigh a total of 12 tons that can be heard for 10 miles around when rung. There are other many notable features of the church, which are detailed in pamphlets that can be picked up inside the sanctuary. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
If you are looking for some new places to golf, Jasper is home to several courses, including its own par 71 municipal course Buffalo Trace (not to be confused with the Kentucky Bourbon distillery of the same name!). You might also consider checking out Sultan’s Run, a picturesque 224-acre course, with a rich history. What started as the home of champion racehorse, Supreme Sultan, was turned into a golf course in 1992, and later redesigned by Tim Liddy.
Jasper is also home to a rich arts scene. Jasper Community Arts offers regular events, galleries, and workshops. Keep your eyes peeled for the annual ChalkWalk when people of all ages and abilities come out to transform Jasper’s downtown sidewalks with colorful chalk drawings. This October, you might consider shopping at The Beehive Arts Market. The Thyen-Clark Gallery has a constant rotation of visual art gracing its walls. Jasper Community Arts even presents workshops for everyone to explore new paths like yoga, origami, carving, and other accessible creative endeavors. Jasper Community Arts is housed at 100 3rd Avenue.
Chances are, you will get hungry while exploring Jasper. Luckily a number of unique and delicious restaurants populate the area. Sadly we cannot highlight ALL of the wonderful eateries, but we would be remiss not to draw your attention to a few:
- Schnitzelbank
- St. Benedict’s Brewery (River Center)
- Jasper Pub and Grub
- Ohana
- The Mill House
- Azul Tequila
In between activities, you might also like to divert your attention with some shopping at one of the many unique and independently owned retailers.
- Seiberts Clothing
- Sturm’s Hardware
- Chocolate Bliss
- Elements (gift shop)
- Finishing Touches (home decor)
- Just a Trace (a speciality children’s toy store)
- Just Whimsy (Women’s Clothing)
- EJ & Dots (Children’s Boutique)
Jasper undoubtedly offers many unique opportunities no matter what your interests. With our F.C. Tucker Emge real estate office in Jasper, there is no shortage of agents who can answer your questions about life in Dubois County and in the City of Jasper. Drop by and Let’s Talk about how we can help you learn more about life in Southwest Indiana.
