If you're a Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 fan, definitely worth a stop. Just a few miles off the Interstate, let's be clear: Gary is not the most beautiful city, and Jackson Street is not in the best of neighborhoods. That being said, the neighborhood is used to people coming by every day to see this home at 2300 Jackson Street. Joe Jackson worked at nearby US Steel, mother Katherine worked at Sears, and raised 3 girls and 5 boys in this small, 2 bedroom home. If you're not familiar with Gary's history, it would make your visit much richer if you read up on its history and current economic situation. Take the time to drive through Gary while you're there, and see what can happen to a once great American city when times turn tough.
Permanently closed.
Windstone Arch (also called "Fire Cave"), collapsed - either naturally through erosion or by vandalism - in May 2021.
Haym Solomon Memorial Park is a gorgeous memorial park, full of mature trees, where singer Jim Croce and Major League Baseball player Harry Shuman are buried. Interestingly enough, Haym Solomon himself - a Polish immigrant and Jewish businessman who assisted Robert Morris (the Superintendent of Finance) in aiding the Continental Army during the American Revolution - is not buried here. Solomon is buried in Mikveh Israel Cemetery in Philadelphia. Croce’s grave can be found near the top of the hill in section B/B, his grave usually covered in dimes. (“Thank you for your time, Ah, you’ve been so much more than kind. You can keep the dime”, lyrics from his song “Operator”. Croce tragically died in a plane crash while at the top of his singing career on September 20, 1973, in Natchitoches, LA. He was 30 years old.
Booker T. Washington is an incredibly important figure in American history, and the BTW National Monument - which is basically the Burroughs family plantation where the young Booker and his family were slaves. As they like to promote around the monument, he was both ENSLAVED here, and FREED here. It was from these beginnings that his thirst for book knowledge began, and that deep drive to learn was the impetus behind him eventually enrolling in Hampton Institute, and then later starting Tuskegee Institute, which he led for more than 30 years. You can walk through the buildings which are left of the plantation - some still stand, including the small home that Booker lived in - hike on a few trails, enjoy a short movie on his life, and shop in the gift shop, where they have all of his books as well as others about slavery, Jim Crow, and his life. If you have kids that still need to learn about plantation life, slavery, as well as emancipation, this is an EXCELLENT place to take them. You can spend 30 mins, or 3 hours.
If you’re looking for a quiet, out of the way place to spend the night, The Inn at Foster Falls is wonderful. It’s a small, boutique hotel, which means that you won’t see many people. My sense is that many people come back year after year, and I don’t blame them. Rooms are very well appointed and the beds are divine. Enjoy the rocking chair on the porch right outside your room, and listen to the birds in the trees in front of the hotel, watch the cows in the farm field across the street, or the lightning bugs in the summer as the sun starts to set. The food in the hotel dining room is very good and absolutely more than adequate, but if the chef could improve on both the food and presentation even just a little it would make a really good dinner an outstanding dinner. Same with the grab and go (or sit and enjoy) Continental breakfast they offer in the morning. Also, the New River Trail is basically at your doorstep, so you can enjoy a nice hike or casual stroll along the river during your stay. The employees are very nice and make your stay extra enjoyable. Absolutely worth the little drive off the highway and the little extra expense.
“The Cannonball Church” is worth a short stop to see the cannonball literally still stuck on the front of the church building that was shot on September 4, 1864. If you face the front of the church, the cannonball is seen directly over the right light, to the right of the front door. Doing a bit of historical homework, including reading up on General John H. Morgan, might make your visit more meaningful. P.S. There evidently used to be a tree in front of the church that obscured the cannonball a little, but that tree is now gone. The best pics are taken from directly in front of the church, or from across the street.
Obviously an important historical figure, as the first US president to be impeached. Seeing the resting place of a former President is reason enough to make this a stop. Born in Raleigh, NC, Greeneville, TN was the town of his early life, as well as the town he moved to when he left the Presidency, as well as his final resting place. Keep in mind that his home, the museum, and his gravesite are in three different places, but all within easy driving distance. His gravesite, from a hilltop he used to climb and love, has a wonderful view of Greeneville and the surrounding area, and has some benches to sit and enjoy the view (or even have a picnic, if you can get into having a picnic at a cemetery). Hundreds of locals veterans are also buried (and continue to be buried) at the cemetery, as was his wish.
Wonderful hotel, in obviously an ideal location just off Michigan. Lobby (and wonderful bar) is on the 5th floor, which is a nice twist. Hotel also adjoins the Shops at North Bridge, so you can walk from the 5th floor bar right into Nordstrom's. Beds are what I hope heaven feels like. Huge TV's, beautiful bathrooms (separate tub and shower). $75 PER NIGHT for overnight valet service, there is self parking literally across the Rush valet/street level entrance that is $35 per night. (That being said, the valet servers were fast and incredibly nice, even at 6am). TIP: not all rooms have city views; my 9th floor room looked out onto an air conditioning unit and alley, so if this is important to you make sure you request a city view.
Went here to see Emmett Til resting place. The office was open and very helpful. They also reminded me that Emmett Til's mother, Mamie, is also buried here. Her grave is basically just outside the office building, next to her last husband, Gene Mobley (her grave is NOT near Emmett's). IMO part of the experience is locating the grave you're searching for, so I won't give you directions. Also, read up on the storied history of Burr Oak, as well as the horrific 2009 scandal for perspective. Thankfully, the new management has changed things around. Also don't forget that Dinah Washington, boxer Ezzard Charles, blues legends Willie Dixon and Otis Spann, and Frank Reed, lead singer of the Chi-Lites, as well as many others, are all buried here.