Let's Converse about Converse Indiana

The at . This photo looks south-southeast toward the Fountain County side of the river, and was taken from the shore in "Old Town" near the end of East Washington Street. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Front and southern side of the , a located at the intersection of Marion and Jefferson Streets on the Miami County side of Converse, , . Built in 1918, it is listed on the . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Converse, Indiana is on State Route 18 between US 31 and I-69, near Marion, Peru, Wabash, and Kokomo. It is definitely a place worth a weekend outing. Many of the businesses are closed on Sunday so it is best to visit on a long weekend, Saturday being ideal. The best reason to visit Converse Indiana is pie and wine. I will say a little more about this later. It is one of those great out of the way town's that everyone is excited to discover usually when they are lost on the way to somewhere else.

History

The town where present day Converse Indiana stands was laid out in 1849 by Willis Elliot and O.H.P. Macy and was called Xenia Indiana. The first house was built by Henry Overman in the summer of 1850. It was a log cabin that stood on Delphi road. An addition was later added to the cabin to serve as Xenia Indiana's first store. The store customers had to walk through Mr. Overman's house in order to reach the store.

The first real store in Converse was opened in 1852; by Mr. Macy. The building was used as a general store for many years and used by a Daniel Mendenhall. The original structure of the town was laid out to thirty two lots on four streets. The four streets; Jefferson, runs north and south and is crossed by Wabash, Marion and Sycamore. Plats were added as the town grew.

Converse, or Xenia, experienced a great deal of growth at the close of the Civil War. The Pan Handle Railroad ran through the town. Then saw-mills were established in the vicinity and large quantities of lumber were from the town. The discovery of natural gas also leads several businesses to establish themselves in the town of Xenia. e the Xenia Hoop Works, the Woolen Mills, the Hoosier Canning Company, the Pearless Glass Company, the Chandelier Works, a carriage factory, and the Malleable Steel Works.

On the prosperity of early Converse in the History of Miami County Indiana it is written:

"Around the turn of the century Converse was the principle shipping point on the Pan Handle Railroad between Marion and Logansport. At that time Converse had a bank with a capital stock of $25,000, a Home Telephone Company, some manufacturing enterprises, a large grain elevator, more than a few mercantile establishments, along with a number of attractive residences

In the 1900's the Miami County Agricultural Association held its annual fair and horse races at Converse became known as the 'fair community". I have not found out why today's Converse ceased being Xenia Indiana. It would be something to ask the locals.

The Herschberger Essen Haus is a typical small town Indiana diner where the food is good, fattening, and cheap. It is Midwestern small town fare with the best value being breakfast for fewer than five bucks including coffee. It is not your typical small town diner when it comes to Ruth's Pies. The Strawberry - Rhubarb is so good customers have been known to drive for forty miles for it. Truth is all the pie is to die for and the sugar free pies available means everyone can indulge. We tried the peanut butter chocolate pie and it was worth driving forty miles for. Other great things to eat at Herschberger Essen Haus are the apple dumplings and the pumpkin rolls. The restaurant is located at 223 N Jefferson St Converse, IN 46919 - (765) 395-5905. The restaurant is closed Sunday and opened daily from 6am to 2pm. I would call to check if there are times that the restaurant is open later. They used to have some days they were open till 8pm.

The Oak Hill Winery  specialty is the fact that we make our wines to appeal to new wine drinkers more so then wine enthusiasts." The Oak Hill Winery offers the following wines. is located near the restaurant and it is well worth chasing your pie with some fine Hoosier Wine. The winery is housed in an 1895 Carriage House. This winery is for everyone not just the wine expert. The quote on their website says it all;"

Unsweetened wines:

JALAPA- crisp and flavorful, even sweet drinkers like it! 
PIPE CREEK FALLS - a Vidal that crisp and fruity 
IRON BRIDGE - a Riesling that tasty, yummy! 
MISSISSINEWA WHITE - A classic white wine made with Seyval grapes 
ROANN - wine, interesting! 
INDIANA APPLE - our dry apple wine 
HANGING ROCK - a new Foch, the 2008 vintage is in 
RIVERWALK (LR) - its Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc! ALMOST GONE - 
SEVEN PILLARS - this fruity favorite is back with a new vintage

Sweetened wines:

WINDFALL - a barely sweet Vidal with great flavor 
SWEET SALAMONIE - good old Riesling made German-style 
SWEETSER - An old favorite, tangy taste! 
PERU PEACH - 100% pure peach juice, incredible flavor, 6+ years old 
FAIRMOUNT - Sweet and smooth, a best seller! 
KOKOMO CIDER - a sweet apple wine that's great warm! 
BUNKER HILL - Its concord and it's our best seller! 
RED BRIDGE - a berry raspberry wine 
STOCKDALE - It's here now, a cherry wine 
WAWPECONG - an interesting berry blackberry wine 
MEAD MARION (LR) -wow, its honey you can drink, small supply, almost gone

PRICING: Standard wines: 1-2 bottles $9.99 each; 3-6 bottles $8.99 each; 6-11 bottles $8.49 each; 12+ $7.99 each; Wine Club Members $7.49 each 
----LIMITED RELEASE (LR) WINES: $12.99 a bottle, $9.99 for wine club members.

They are open January 1 to June 1 1-6 PM Saturday and Sunday only 
June 1 to December 31 we are open 1-6 PM seven days a week.

A Special event of interest to those who like fattening deserts and wine is the ":In September is our CHEESECAKE FESTIVAL with local bakers competing for glory and our winery visitors faced with the grim task of judging the best cheesecake, someone has to do it, why not you?"

The winery is located at
111 East Marion Street - State Route 18, 
Converse , IN 
United States of America 
Tel: 765-395-3632

While you are in Converse Indiana have a look see at the Carnegie library it has not been modified much since it opened in 1918. While there are many Carnegie Libraries in small Indiana communities few are in such mint condition. The library is located at 108 S. Jefferson St. in Converse Indiana.

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