Lagrange combines architectural history and art with trails and activities at West Point Lake. Its architecture ranges from a grand 19th-century Greek Revival house to a residence completed in 1916; at the lake, kayaking and canoeing, along with a long lakeside route, take center stage. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, you can choose Lagrange based on your interests: historic places and collections, or nature trails and water activities.
Discover History and Architecture
At the Biblical History Center, the Archaeological Replica Garden features 23 life-size reproductions of structures from the ancient world. The Center also houses more than 250 artifacts from the Israel Antiquities Authority. Here, two different perspectives on the ancient world come together: large-scale architectural reconstructions and a collection of artifacts. The reproductions convey the scale of the structures, while the collection focuses on individual objects.
Bellevue is a National Historic Landmark in historic downtown Lagrange. Benjamin Harvey Hill had the grand antebellum house built for his wife, Caroline Holt Hill, in the Greek Revival style between 1852 and 1855. The residence at Hills & Dales Estate offers a different emphasis: completed in 1916, it was designed to flow seamlessly into the gardens. At Bellevue, the construction period and architectural style are defining features; at Hills & Dales, it is the connection between house and garden.
Art, Monuments and Events
The LaGrange Art Museum is housed in a distinctive 1892 prison building. Its permanent exhibition began with a painting donated by Lamar Dodd. The Lamar Dodd Art Center presents rotating art collections. Together, these offer different perspectives on art: the history of a permanent exhibition and changing collections; at the museum, the building itself is also part of its architectural context.
The Callaway Memorial Tower, also known as the Callaway Monument, was erected in 1929 in honor of textile magnate Fuller E. Callaway. It was modeled after the Campanile in St. Mark’s Square in Venice. Its dedication and architectural inspiration offer two ways to understand the tower: its connection to a figure in textile history and its reference to the Campanile.
Boyd Park is home to the Sweetland Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue with 2,500 seats for performances and community events. This venue for community gatherings adds another dimension to Lagrange’s cultural offerings, alongside architecture and art.
Trails and Activities at West Point Lake
The Thread is twelve feet wide and designed for multiple uses; this paved, non-motorized trail system is intended to connect Lagrange’s parks, attractions and neighborhoods. It passes through neighborhoods, scenic parks and well-known attractions, as well as the LaGrange College campus. The Lakeside Trail offers a different kind of route: its loop winds through the woods around West Point Lake and along its shoreline, stretching for more than eleven miles. The two routes differ in both their surroundings and stated length: one is an urban trail system, while the other is a longer loop by the lake. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.
West Point Lake has extensive shorelines, diverse wildlife, and numerous trails and parks. Kayaking and canoeing on its calm, open waters are possible year-round. Water activities and the lakeside route offer different ways to explore: a paddle takes you out on the lake, while the Lakeside Trail runs through the woods and along the shore. This can help you decide whether you’d rather spend your time on the water or on a longer trail.
A Culinary Highlight
Nutwood Winery is set on ten acres shaded by 200-year-old pecan trees. On site, it offers a selection of wines with artisan cheeses and charcuterie boards. For travelers looking to add a culinary experience to architecture, art and trails, this offering rounds out Lagrange’s varied attractions.
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