I was charmed by what I saw of Corydon almost immediately on our recent visit there in late June and early July.
I had always been interested in exploring the community because of its history, but I probably delayed making the trip previously because of concerns of whether there would be much else to explore beyond the original state capitol building, or that perhaps the town would be old and dingy.
Boy, was I wrong.
Granted, a big part of our reason for spending a lot of time in downtown Corydon was to visit the Harrison County Arts center, where the paintings of Linda Kay Shoults were on display. I'll devote a separate post to her artwork in the near future.
But I did set aside time a modest amount of time to walk through as much of the main downtown area as I could while we were there.
It's when I took most of the images you see in today's post, beginning with the shot leading off the post, a composition showing storefronts along Chestnut street as seen from Elm Street. You can see more of my shots in downtown Corydon by following the link in this sentence.
Above and below: A perspective and closeup shot of what I considered my No. 1 discovery during my trip: Butt Drugs. Yes, it's a real drugstore and pharmacy and has an old-time soda fountain. It's named for the surname of the family that owns it. It's been in operation since 1952, and thankfully, the Butts embrace the humor of the name so much that they offer cheeky merchandise for sale (T-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.) both in the store and online (see the link in this sentence). The drugstore was even featured in an Ellen DeGeneres talk show segment about funny commercials (a clip is on the drugstore website). Above: A closeup of an outdoor clock outside the public library on Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135).
Above: The front facade of 1816 Modern Kitchen & Drinks at 100 E. Chestnut St., a place we visited for lunch on one of the days we were in town.
The gazebo above occupies the southeast quadrant of the downtown courthouse square; the county courthouse spans the two northern quadrants and the Frank O'Bannon Memorial occupies the southwestern one.
Above: What appears to be a former church building on Walnut Street, across from the courthouse square, is known locally today as the Ethel Wright Center and is currently owned by Friends of Corydon Capitol Historic Site. The local parks department is in the process of trying to make this its new headquarters. Above: It seemed as if each time that I was in position to photograph the front of this United Methodist Church building on Elm Street across from the courthouse square, I was dealing backlighting. This was the best of my shots of the full structure. Above: The Hayswood Theater is a performance center for theater arts. Above and below: This edifice in an area south of the courthouse square struck me as once being a church for some denomination, but the Champion spark plus logo on the side indicates those days are long past. I don't know for sure what it's used for today, but from the street I had the impression it is not in use for anything today. Still, I was impressed by the architecture, and I hope no one ever takes a wrecking ball to it. Then again, it's possible the inside is in such disarray that it might not be salvageable.
Above: The Harrison Center, an outreach and social services facility. The site of Corydon's Farmers Market (above) where, just to the north, you'll see the mural in the photo below.
Above: The front facade on East Chestnut Street of Vintage Treasures Antique Mall and Emporium. Above: The William Henry Harrison Home Museum, a building on North Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135) was once owned by the ninth president. In the very early 1800s, Harrison served as territorial governor of Indiana. The museum is open only on weekends. Above: A closeup of a small flag outside Olde Country Cupboard Primitives on North Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135), between Walnut and High streets. Above: A residential home on Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135), a block or so from the heart of downtown Corydon. Above: The architecture of Gehlbach & Royse Funeral Home on East Chestnut Street caught my attention.
Above and below: White House Candy Company and Ice Cream on East Chestnut Street, across the street from Gehlbach & Royse Funeral Home. Above: A liquor store on West Beaver Street that caught my attention. Above: I took several photos of this facade on South Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135) -- both with my Canon 6D and iPhone 13 Pro -- because it kept attracting my attention. Not sure what it is used for today. Above and below: Two views of the Kintner House Inn at Chestnut Street and Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135). The structure, built in 1873 and restored in 1986 and reopened as a Bed and Breakfast with 14 bedrooms. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Above and first two below: Shots of Koa's Lodge, a full-service events venue for such things as weddings, baby and bridal showers and corporate meetings. If you're interested in booking the place, you might need to hunt around for more information or call someone at the lodge because the website, while containing some beautiful images of the facility, is seriously lacking in information. A sign on Poplar Street behind Butt Drugs helps directs potential drugstore visitors to the establishment and parking not visible from the front of the store. Above: Capitol Jewelers, which is next door to Butt Drugs on Chestnut Street, was preparing decorations for the Independence Day holiday as well as the return of the Harrison Popcorn Festival, which celebrates one of the local agriculture community's most important products. Above: The county public library takes up a full block along Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135) between Beaver and Chestnut streets. Above: Just north of the county courthouse at Walnut and Capitol Avenue (Old Highway 135) is Frederick's Cafe. Above: The Blaine Wiseman Harrison County Visitors Center, which sits at Elm and Walnut streets, just east of the county courthouse.
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