Reflections Driving through Southeast Indiana

Written and Photographed by Rob Stone

Have you ever checked out the back roads of Southeast Indiana? Like, really checked them out? Driven down them with no real destination, looking left and right as you pass through forests and farms?

There are so many relics of the past out there. Some abandoned. Some are still in use. Some that fall somewhere in between.

I love getting off that Lawrenceburg exit, and instead of heading toward Cincinnati or following U.S. 50, I keep going straight. The traffic disappears, the roads get narrower, and before long, you’re finding places most people drive right past. Let’s go check out that covered bridge again. I want to photograph it in every season. These places change from day to day, or at least their surroundings do.

Let’s go visit that little church on the hill that looks much bigger than it really is. Let’s go see Bonnell. Can you cross that creek and make it into the tunnel? Give it a try. Let’s go check out the old courthouse in Wilmington and wonder what stories those walls could tell.

One of my favorite drives is North Hogan Road and Soap Hill Road. Plug them into your GPS and then get lost. Point your car toward somewhere you’ve never been before and see what you find.

Being from Kentucky, Lawrenceburg has always felt like “out of town” to me, and I can’t really explain why. It just does. I’ve always loved getting away for an afternoon and exploring the area.

Have you seen the Liberty Theater lately? Have you stopped and looked at that old Walnut movie theater downtown? It hasn’t shown a film in years, but the marquee is still there, welcoming you to Lawrenceburg like a relic from another era.

Have you wandered through Greendale and looked at the old homes near the distillery? Acorn Hall has been on my list to photograph for years. I remember when it received a fresh coat of paint around 2019. Today, it’s looking a little rough around the edges, but I still hope that gem can be saved.

Have you ever driven through Aurora? Seen the old vintage Gulf station, the feed store along the railroad tracks, or the historic homes, businesses, and churches around town? Ever stopped to take a closer look at some of those forgotten places and imagine the stories they could tell? Me too.

If you’ve never seen these things, then you’ve never really seen this area. I think that’s what I like most about Southeast Indiana. It’s not just the landmarks or the history. It’s the feeling that there is always something else waiting around the next curve in the road.

I’ve photographed in a lot of places over the years, but I always find myself coming back to Southeast Indiana. There is something about the back roads, small towns, and bits of local history tucked away around every bend that keeps me interested.

And based on the comments, emails, and messages I get, I’m not the only one.

If you have the chance, take a drive and explore for yourself.

If not, I’ll keep sharing what I find through #RobStoneShoots.