A donated caboose, a listed interlocking tower, and the Grand Trunk Depot give Griffith a distinctive railway theme. Add to that festivals with different program focuses and the Erie Lackawanna Trail, whose section between Griffith and Schererville is managed by Lake County Parks. This gives you several points to consider when planning your trip: historic sites, a festival date, or the trail. If you plan to visit Griffith Historical Park, also take note of its visitor arrangements.

Railway History in Griffith

Griffith Historical Park was created to honor Griffith’s railway history and received a caboose donated by EJ&E Railway. The park is also home to the E J & E Interlocking Tower. It is listed in both the National Register of Historic Places and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures. The Grand Trunk Depot is another railway site in Griffith; it was added to both registers in 2004. The year refers to the depot’s listing; the tower is also listed in both registers.

Griffith Historical Park (Depot and Train Museum) can be visited on some Sundays or by appointment. Check visiting options in advance if you plan to include the park in your itinerary. This arrangement is especially relevant if the historic park is a main reason for your trip.

Festivals with Different Focuses

Griffith Park Full of Art takes place every year on the third weekend in July. If you’re planning your trip around this festival, check the specific event date before traveling. The Rock ‘N Rail Music & Street Festival features a car and motorcycle show, as well as food and arts and crafts vendors. The Broad Street Blues and BBQ Festival features BBQ, beer, and wine.

To help you choose, consider the difference between timing and program: Full of Art provides an annual date to plan around; for Rock ‘N Rail and Broad Street Blues and BBQ, their respective program focuses may be the deciding factor.

The Erie Lackawanna Trail as Another Point of Interest

The Erie Lackawanna Trail adds another point of interest for trip planning alongside the historic sites and festivals. Lake County Parks manages the section between Griffith and Schererville. If you’re considering the trail as part of your trip, keep this specific section in mind. You can weigh it as a separate interest alongside the railway heritage and events, without assuming that the various themes automatically form a fixed itinerary.

When looking for a vacation rental, you can start by considering which reason for your trip matters most: railway history, a festival date, or the trail section. Plan your travel dates around that focus, and take the visitor options mentioned above into account if you plan to visit the Historical Park.

Discover more destinations: Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Munster, Gary, Hobart, Schererville, Saint John, Merrillville.

For the broader travel overview: Lake.