Quick—what do these things have in common: Ben-Hur, the birthplace of the automobile, Oscar the Monster Turtle, the World’s Largest Egg, Johnny Appleseed’s grave, and the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction? Drawing a blank? What about the invention of the pay toilet, Hollywood’s first Tarzan, the original People’s Temple, and the World’s Largest Stump? Still without a clue? How about the birthplaces of corn flakes, Dan Quayle, square donuts, and Wonder Bread? That’s right—they’re all in Indiana!
While other travel guides tell you about yet another oh-so-quaint bed and breakfast, one more bike trail through Brown County, or that small-town diner where you can waste away the day with a bottomless cup of coffee while chatting with Flo, Oddball Indiana gives you the information you really need. What happened when the good folk of Plainfield decided to dump a former president of the United States into a mud puddle? Why is Nancy Barnett’s grave in the middle of a county road? How did David Letterman get fired from his first broadcasting gig? Who invented Alka-Seltzer? And where can you go to contact your dead aunt Clara? These are the Indiana questions people want answered. Or at least weird people. People like you.
And there’s no excuse for not hitting the Hoosier highways in search of the strange. It’s the smallest state west of the Appalachians (except Hawaii), and what’s more, it’s the “Crossroads of the Nation.” Seven interstates pass through its borders, creating more interstate intersections than in any other state. Plenty of roads and even more odd things to see … so what are you waiting for? You should be laughing on your vacation, not lounging. Get moving!
But first, a little advice. In this book, I’ve tried to give clear directions from major streets and landmarks, but you could still make a wrong turn. Don’t panic, and remember these Oddball travel tips:
1. Stop and ask! For a lot of communities, their Oddball attraction might be their only claim to fame. Locals are often thrilled that you’d drive out of your way to marvel at their underappreciated shrine. But choose your guides wisely; old cranks at the town café are good for information; pimply teenage clerks at the 7-Eleven are not.
2. Call ahead. Few Oddball sites keep regular hours, but most will gladly wait around if they know you’re coming. Some Indiana sites are seasonal or can close at a moment’s notice if the proprietor needs to run an errand. Always call.
3. Don’t give up. Think of that little old lady who’s volunteered her days to keep that small-town museum open; she’s waiting just for you. She’s not standing out on the corner, hollering at passersby—you have to find her. That’s your job.
4. Don’t trespass! Don’t become a Terrible Tourist. Just because somebody erected a gigantic monument to a peach doesn’t mean you’re invited to crawl all over it.
5. Persevere: Road-tripping is hard work. If you find yourself out of sorts after hours in the car, remember these Indiana folk cures: for arthritis of the fingers, catch and strangle a weasel barehanded; for a stuffed-up head, sniff a dirty sock nine times; and for stammering, a smart slap in the face with raw liver should do the trick.
Do you have an Oddball site of your own? Have I missed anything? Do you know of an Oddball site that should be included in a third edition? Please write and let me know: Chicago Review Press, 814 N. Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610.