Adventures Between Time Zones - New Carlisle (Part 3 of 3)

[strannik01]

After taking the South Shore Line and exploring Hudson Lake, I set out to reach the dividing line between Central and Eastern time zones and, with it, New Carlisle.

Comments

New Carlisle

[ext_697024]

The Hudson Lake cemetery is a historical site, it no longer accepts "new residents". Between the tracks storage is behind you in this photo, the central time side. The buildings you see are part of what was an animal rendering plant. The "abandoned plot" is part of the same property of the next photo. The closed pizzeria was so successful that they moved "down town" into a historic building the has been refurbished by the owner,a life long multigenerrational family who's patriarch is a well known carpentry artisan. The sign for Bourissa Hills is in the town's central park, I'm not sure if it has an official name. This park has a gazebo that is the site for free musical events throughout the summer. Bourissa Hills is further to the south on the other side of the school that you walked past. Miller's Home Cafe' is known regionally for it's smorgasbord style of dining. It is true that we are predominately white community, but I know that the majority of our population is quite progressive in views on race. A few can make all look bad. Again thank you for visiting, but your "snap shot" of our community is a little off. I don't think the town is dying. Does your population study include the new subdivisions that have been established just outside of town in the last ten years? Our suburbs. There is still a lot of building going on. There are many times during the year in which community activities keeps the town a buzz. Then we convert back to a sleepy little town that is a joy to live in and around. And in closing, yes it can be a little challenging living across a time zone. Most people and business's chose to live on the time that best suites there circumstances. My wife and live at Hudson in the central time zone, but we both work in the eastern so that is the time we go by. I simply turn off the auto correct on my phone's time function.

Re: New Carlisle

[strannik01]

Thank you for the clarifications. Obviously, since I've only been there once and had nothing but personal impressions to go on, I was bound to get a few things wrong. That's part of the reason why I shared the link - I wanted to get feedback from the local residents that would know better.

If I ever have this published anywhere else, the account will be revised accordingly. I'm already in the process of updating the Flick set, so at least the photos will have accurate captions.

It is true that we are predominately white community, but I know that the majority of our population is quite progressive in views on race. A few can make all look bad.

Undoubtedly. I did not mean to imply that the entire New Carlisle was racist (though I guess I kind of did anyway. My fault). For all I know, the graffiti was just a bunch of kids trying to stir trouble. And, I admit that my perception was colored by a rather unfortunate experience elsewhere in Northwest Indiana.

Again thank you for visiting, but your "snap shot" of our community is a little off.

I am not surprised. I've only been there once - as you rightfully pointed out, that's not enough time to get a fully rounded impression of the city.

Does your population study include the new subdivisions that have been established just outside of town in the last ten years? Our suburbs

I got my figures from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Fact Finder website. I am not sure if 2010 figures included the subdivisions you mentioned, since that set of figures doesn't come with a map.

Then we convert back to a sleepy little town that is a joy to live in and around

Like I said - I can definitely see why people would want to live here. Do I think the town is dying? I would not presume to know. I don't live in the area, and I don't have your knowledge of the area. Besides, I have been to many poor Chicago neighborhoods that have been bleeding businesses and population for decades. New Carlisle is nowhere near that.

Having said that, I don't think I am wrong for wondering about the town's ability to attract visitors. Contrary to what the general downbeat mood of this piece may imply, there were some things I found interesting - the architecture, a couple of cafes downtown, the library (which actually impressed me a great deal - I've seen larger cities with libraries that are nowhere near as good as this one) and, of course, the R. J. Clark Gallery. I was kind of baffled that the one tourism brochure I was able to find didn't list the addresses or any businesses, nor did it list the proper schedule of events. New Carlisle's remoteness has its charm, but surely having more visitors wouldn't hurt.

In closing, thank you for being a good sport about all this. I realize my depiction of New Carlisle wasn't all that flattering, and I appreciate your feedback and constructive criticism. If I ever decide to visit New Carlisle again, I hope to be able to get a proper tour of the town - I am sure a native would be able to give me far more accurate and far more in-depth look in the town than I could ever figure out on my own.