Uncover Orange County’s charm through scenic railways, wooded trails, and historic towns rich with stories.
When the hills turn copper and the air takes on that first crisp hint of autumn, Orange County invites travelers to step into a living story. At one time, French traders, Quaker homesteads, and free Black farming communities shared the landscape with grand resorts, forest trails, and the distant call of train whistles. History lingers in the air, and every turn in the road tempts visitors to stay just a little longer.
The journey begins in French Lick, where long before grand hotels and mineral water advertisements, there was the spring itself: a salty, mineral-rich lick that drew wildlife and the French traders who followed them. Today, a self-guided tour through the heart of town and toward the springs sparks the imagination, bringing to life the barter, the pack trains, and the mingling of cultures that once defined this valley.
Hear the echoes of history as they roll in on steel wheels aboard the restored rail trolley linking French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel. In moments, passengers are transported to the resort era, when fashionable travelers arrived to admire grand domes and stroll elegant promenades. Though the ride is brief, the sense of history is unmistakable, and today’s trolley-themed shuttles extend the experience, making it easy to explore without the hassle of parking.
From here, the rhythm of the rails continues on the French Lick Scenic Railway. Once the lifeline bringing guests from Chicago, Louisville, and St. Louis, these tracks now host guided tours through the Hoosier National Forest, into the 2,200-foot Burton Tunnel, and past hillsides blazing with autumn color. In winter, the view becomes a serene postcard. From November
through December, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride adds cocoa, carols, and pajama-clad fun. This is a holiday tradition worth reserving well in advance.
Orange County’s charm shines in every detail. Whether it’s the grand presence of its resorts, the quiet dignity of its historic churches, the hush of its forest paths, or the welcome of its main streets, each stop offers its own reason to linger.
Not far away, history speaks in quieter tones. On land granted in 1812 to Quaker leader Jonathan Lindley, the 1850s Thomas Elwood Lindley House preserves the spirit of faith, abolition, and community. By appointment with the Orange County Historical Society, visitors can step inside for an intimate look at pioneer life and the ideals that shaped the county.
Heading south of Paoli, the story deepens at Lick Creek, where free Black farmers built a thriving community in the early 1800s with the support of nearby Quakers. Known as “Little Africa,” the site once held homes, gathering spaces, and a cemetery that still stands today. A self-guided tour with wayfinding signs leads visitors through this significant place, once part of a lesser-known Underground Railroad route threading north from the Ohio River via Evansville and Salem.
In West Baden, the restored First Baptist Church (Colored), established in 1909, stands as a proud witness to the resort era’s Black heritage. During hosted hours and programs, stories unfold of hotel workers, families, and performers whose lives shaped the town’s golden years. The county’s African American history also resonates through sports and music, from two Negro League baseball teams to the French Lick Jazz Festival of the late 1950s, which brought legends like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.
Nature takes the stage just beyond town at the Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest, an 88-acre preserve of old-growth oak-hickory woodland. This self-guided trail, protected since 1940, offers a gentle 1.3–1.5 mile walk and is particularly peaceful in the quiet months after the leaves have fallen.
Located on Paoli’s Courthouse Square, the Orange County Historic Museum is open during hosted hours, and showcases artifacts from the pioneer era through the county’s industrial past. In December, the square glows under strands of lights, the air scented with pine and warm drinks from nearby cafés.
As the loop comes in full circle, Orange County’s charm shines in every detail. Whether it’s the grand presence of its resorts, the quiet dignity of its historic churches, the hush of its forest paths, or the welcome of its main streets, each stop offers its own reason to linger. This is a destination where history, culture, and natural beauty blend into one timeless journey, perfect for a day of discovery or a weekend escape
For more information visit: visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com
