INDIANAPOLIS — In these days of COVID-19, when social distancing is strongly encouraged, many of us have been left to find our own fun. But with author Ashley Petry’s new guidebook in hand — “Secret Indianapolis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure” — oddities and adventures are right around the corner.
As a lifelong Hoosier who has lived in central Indiana for more than 40 years, I was surprised at how many of the locations I had never heard of. For example, I had no idea that Indianapolis was home to the Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum (2907 E. 10th St.). The museum got its start when Tim and Julie Harmon (owners of Another Fine Mess salvage shop — a curio-stop all its own), noticed an imprint of the Statue of Liberty on a packing box, followed by an assortment of Statue of Liberty erasers delivered to the shop. Since then, the Harmons have made a practice of collecting Statue of Liberty images, figures and representations. The collection has grown to include a Statue of Liberty Barbie doll in a red, white and blue Bob Mackie gown and a print of Miss Piggy dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Admission is 50 cents.
Nor did I know that the Antique Fan Collectors Association was forced to relocate its vast collection from Witchita, Kansas, to Zionsville. Fanimation (10983 Bennett Pkwy.) is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Or — did you know that the Indiana State Museum (650 W. Washington St.) has — among other things — a collection of art and jewelry made from human hair? The grounds of the museum itself can provide an afternoon’s fun with the 92 County Walk Scavenger Hunt: sculptures representative of all 92 of Indiana’s counties can be found in the architecture on the outside of the building, in the sidewalk or on the stairs. A partial listing can be found in “Secret Indianapolis,” or a full list can be found in “The Art of the 92 County Walk,” available at the museum.
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For those for whom every outing must be an educational experience, you can learn to butcher a whole hog at the Smoking Goose Meatery (407 Dorman St.). Or visit the Indiana Medical History Museum (3045 W. Vermont St.) which used to be Central State Hospital for the Insane.
There is something to pique everyone’s interest in this book. Those who love history may be fascinated to read about “The Great Squirrel Invasion of 1822.” Apparently, thousands of gray and black squirrels descended upon the crops of local farmers, destroying them. One farmer reported killing more than 250 in a single day, while another farmer, with his sons, patrolled their fields by day while molding bullets at night. Another eyewitness reported that squirrels couldn’t swim but were able to ford rivers and creeks by walking across the bodies of dead squirrels who had drowned. Insert wide-eyed emoji of incredulity here.
Remember the weirdly fascinating sport of curling that we’re all reintroduced to every four years during the Winter Olympics? Believe it or not, Indianapolis is home to the Circle City Curling Club, which offers enough hands-on instruction in curling to make you the office expert come the next Winter Olympics. A visit to the website at circlecitycurling.com gives information on lessons and even a curling league that meets at the Fuel Tank in Fishers.
The book dredges up the old urban legends around The House of Blue Lights — the house is gone now, but they say the surrounding woods still glows blue — and the Hannah House (3801 Madison Ave.), reputed to be the most haunted house in Indiana.
If you’re interested in science — or the unexplainable — then head out to Mooresville to Keller Hill Road where cars supposedly roll uphill. Legend has it that a ghostly woman whose grandson died in a car accident pushes the cars uphill. If putting your car in neutral and letting the forces of… whatever…. take over makes you nervous, the phenomenon can be recreated with a ball or a soda can.
A quick glance through Petry’s list of credible source material includes books and articles written by Howard Caldwell (longtime newscaster for WRTV-6); Reid Duffy (known for 18 years of restaurant reviews); George Geib (noted history professor who taught at Butler University); Lou Harry (author, journalist and playwright); Dave Lindquist (entertainment reporter for the Indianapolis Star); Steve Mannheimer (former visual arts writer for The Indianapolis Star); columnist Dick Wolfsie; and Alan E. Hunter who, most recently, spoke and signed books at the Riley Boyhood Home.
Petry, an author in her own right, is a 1999 graduate of Greenfield-Central High School. She has been a freelance travel writer for the past 17 years. Her previous book, “100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die” is now in its second edition.
“Secret Indianapolis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure,” which features Fortville’s giant pink elephant on the cover, can be found at Barnes & Noble, Amazon or your local independent bookstore.
