Hobart

Last updated on August 28, 2024.

Hobart is a friendly town in Northwest Indiana. It has a pleasant, small downtown worth checking out if you’re in the area. There are also some great family-friendly activities a short drive from downtown.

 

Brief History of Hobart, Indiana

Hobart was founded in 1847 by English immigrant George Earle. He named it after his brother, Frederick Hobart Earle, who never left England. At that time, the settlement was populated by several German farmers.

 

Downtown Hobart, Indiana

There’s not a whole lot to see in town, but Main Street is lined with historic buildings for a couple blocks. They’re filled with shops, a couple restaurants, and local businesses.

 

Lakefront Park

A block west of Main Street is Lakefront Park, which features an accessible lakeside promenade, gazebo, boat launch, and fishing. It sits right on Lake George.

 

St. Bridget Church

St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church is at the north end of Main Street with the entrance a block east on Center Street. The parish dates back to 1873, when the town was made up of a large number of German and Irish immigrants.

 

County Line Orchard

County Line Orchard is an apple orchard and a great family attraction. It’s located on County Line Road, a short drive east of downtown Hobart.

County Line Orchard is open to the public from the end of August to the end of October. If you plan on visiting the attractions or picking apples, you have to pay admission at the check-in shed to the right of the Big Barn. You’ll get a wristband and you can start enjoying your day. Bags are provided for picking apples.

General admission is just US$3 for access to the orchards (as of August 2024). There’s also a corn maze, bee yurts, kids farm, and tractor rides available on different passes. The all-access pass for admission to all attractions is US$15 (as of August 2024). Attractions are open daily.

 

Big Barn

The Big Barn contains a store selling all sorts of delicious goods such as donuts, pies, apple cider, and much more. There are also several different types of gifts and souvenirs for sale. Donuts and cider were the hottest items!

 

U-Pick

There are several different fields at the orchard. A brochure shows the types of apples growing in each field and the best time to pick them. We stuck to the orchard just behind the Big Barn.

Each section is clearly labeled with the types of apples you can find. We picked a lot of gala, golden delicious, and macintosh apples. You pay for what you pick by the pound. In addition to apples, there’s a pumpkin patch and sunflowers.

 

Just for Kids

We didn’t visit any of the kids attractions, but we quickly popped into the bee yurts. Most visitors were families with young children heading to the kids farm and tractor rides.

 

Deep River County Park

Deep River County Park in contains a historic area, hiking trails, and a lake for fishing. It’s located a short drive south of downtown Hobart. The entire park is about 1,362 acres in area and is open 7am to dusk year-round.

The main section of the park is the historic area along Old Lincoln Highway. The buildings are open from May 1 to October 31, daily except Mondays from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free (as of August 2024).

 

Gift Shop and Visitor Center

The gift shop and visitor center was originally a church built in 1904. Inside, you can purchase souvenirs and locally-made products such as jams, honey, and maple syrup.

 

Wood’s Historic Grist Mill

Next door is Wood’s Historic Grist Mill. It was built in 1838 by settler John Wood of Massachusetts. Wood claimed the land in December 1835 and with the mill established the very first continuing industry in Lake and Porter counties.

The mill was restored in 1975 and opened to the public as a museum in May 1977. A water wheel, which wasn’t part of the original building, was added for aesthetic value.

Inside the mill, it’s possible to see historic artifacts from the area including photos and furniture. An attendant is happy to turn on the grist mill for visitors and explain how the flour dresser works.

The basement contains tools and equipment that would have been used during the mill’s heyday, while the second floor displays more historic artifacts. Items from a school, typical home, and general store are part of the exhibits.

Finally, on the third floor are more historic artifacts such as a baby carriage and stroller, trunks, and more equipment.

Outside the mill is a common area containing a gazebo which is often used for weddings. A path leads around the gazebo and next to Deep River.

 

Grinder Field

Crossing the bridge takes you to Grinder Field, where the Deep River Grinders vintage baseball team plays home games. They play according to the 33 original rules of baseball adopted in 1858.

At the back of the field are two more historic buildings. On the left is a saw mill and on the right is a maple sugar shack.

 

Trails at Deep River County Park

Deep River County Park contains a few short hiking trails as well. We parked at the lot on County Line Road just north of the historic area, where there’s a playground, picnic tables, toilets, and a small library. From there, we took a nice walk through the forest and along Deep River.

If you pick up a trail map at the mill, don’t trust the trail to loop around back to County Line Road. The map showed the trail crossing the river just before reaching a railroad trestle, but that wasn’t the case. We had to walk back the way we came to return to our car.

 

Fishing at Deep River County Park

Big Maple Lake, which has an entrance along Ainsworth Road, is available for fishing. We didn’t visit this part of the park.

 

Broken Wagon Bison

Broken Wagon Bison is located in Hobart but closer the small town of Wheeler, Indiana. This bison ranch, open since 2003, is a fun and educational experience. Tours are offered every Saturday at 11am and 2pm from June through September. They cost US$10 per person (as of August 2024).

The first half hour features a lecture by the owner about the history and uses of bison, along with an explanation of how the ranch works. We learned how the bison population was depleted to near extinction because of hunting in the 1800s, and why they’re mistakenly called buffalo.

The next half hour or so consists of a hay ride into one of the fields where the bison will run right up to the tractor while the owner feeds them. Some of them come when called by name!

After the tour, you have the opportunity to buy bison meat and souvenirs in the gift shop. If you’re not taking a tour, the store is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm year-round.

 

Where to Eat in Hobart, Indiana

I’ve been to a few places while growing up, but I’ve only been able to visit one restaurant since moving away.

 

Café 339

If you’re looking for a good place to have breakfast or lunch, try Café 339 on Main Street. This family-owned restaurant has a wide selection of hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, and salads, great service, friendly owners, and good food. Portions are big!

 

Map of Hobart, Indiana