Things to See and Do Near a Stuckey’s: Wolcott, IN

Wolcott, Indiana, was founded in 1861 and named after the man who founded it, Anson Wolcott. In fact, the post office Anson started that year is still in operation. Interestingly, Wolcott was a descendent of Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Even more interesting than that, however, is a town noise ordinance passed in 2022 that would essentially make Wolcott the quietest town in America. The ordinance basically says that if you so much as make a peep that can be heard by your neighbor in his yard, you’re being too loud and will be fined accordingly.

The ordinance is also not limited to humans. Does your dog bark? Fido has to go! Are you a dentist working out of an office in a residential area? Put down that drill! Find those wind chimes on your front porch relaxing? Your neighbor doesn’t, so get rid of them!

What that also means, however, is that as hard as it might be to contain your excitement by letting out a big “Yippee!” after you find out the Stuckey’s of Wolcott just got in a new supply of Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls, don’t do it. Silently stock up on your favorite Stuckey’s road trip snacks and slowly head back out on the road to these less quiet locations:

Home of Dan Patch / Oxford, IN

Before Babe Ruth was well-known in every American household, the most famous sports celebrity in America went by the name of Dan Patch.

Back in the 20th century, people would travel from near and far just to meet Dan Patch including a young Dwight Eisenhower who met the famous athlete at Kansas State Fair.  With his likeness on everything from whiskey bottles to manure spreaders, Dan Patch was America’s first superstar athlete and celebrity endorser. And, well, Dan Patch didn’t mind having his image on a manure spreader at all. In fact, he was used to working around manure. You see, Dan Patch was a horse.

Born in Oxford, Indiana on April 29, 1896, it didn’t seem the young foal would amount to very much at first. When he was born, his legs were so crooked that he couldn’t even stand on his own. In fact, some even suggested he be put down. Nevertheless, his owners managed to hold the wobbly foal up to get his first milk and his legs eventually grew straighter and stronger. Four years later, after a lot of patience and hard work, Dan Patch would enter the world of harness racing. On September 8, 1906, the horse that was almost put down would become a national sensation when he ran a mile in 1:55 at the Minnesota State Fair. His record would not be broken for another 32 years.  After a much storied career, the sports legend died on July 11, 1916. His owner, Marion Willis Savage died the next day.

Today, you can visit the barn where Dan Patch was born in Oxford. The barn’s roof proudly reads “Home of Dan Patch 1:55″. Nearby, there’s also a historical marker that tells more of the story of America’s first sports celebrity.

Exploring the Final Frontier / West Lafayette, IN

The town of West Lafayette has some pretty out of this world things to see, all of which can be found on the campus of the world-renowned Purdue University.

Start at the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering where you’ll find Perdue’s most-famous astronaut alum. Sculpted by artist Chas Fagan, the larger-than-life bronze statue, unveiled on October 26, 2007, depicts Armstrong as an undergraduate student in the 1950s and has become a popular selfie spot for students and visitors alike.  That being said, you may have to wait in line behind the graduating class of 2023 if you plan on visiting around May 12. That’s because it’s become routine during commencement weekends for students, families and friends to line up on Stadium Avenue to snap photos with the Neil Armstrong statue.

To the left of statue, look down and you’ll see several concrete moon boot footprints where, like Neil Armstrong (and Sting) you, too, can take giant steps as if you’re walking on the moon.

While you’re walking, head south across the campus to Discovery Park where you’ll find a scaled model of our solar system. Known as the VOSS model, it was named after another astronaut and Perdue alum, Janice Voss. Designed by Jeff Laramore and Tom Fansler of Smock Fansler Corp. of Indianapolis, the model is based on the Fibonacci Spiral, you travel around 5.4 million miles in space. At the model center is the Sun at 45’ in diameter. Surrounding the Sun are the eight planets of our solar system (sorry Pluto fans) set into a series of curved, six-foot-high walls

Prophet’s Rock / Tippecanoe, IN

About a twenty minute drive northeast of Perdue University you’ll find Prophet’s Rock State Park and the eponymous stone inside the park has quite an interesting story behind it.

The famous Shawnee Chief Tecumseh had a twin brother, Tenskwatawa, who Tecumseh would put in charge whenever he was away. Known as the Prophet, on November 7, 1811, Tenskwatawa stood on a protruding rock and began praying to the Great Spirit. After he finished praying, he prophesied the upcoming battle, assuring his fellow tribesmen that no bullet fired by the white man would kill any red man. From that very same rock, he would give the signal for his tribe to go to start the battle. Since that day, that rock has become known as Prophet’s Rock.

Unfortunately, the chief’s prophecy would not come to fruition. Some 150 Native Americans were killed or wounded that day.  The commander of the American forces at Tippecanoe, William Henry Harrison, would burn the Native American village known as Prophetstown to the ground. Harrison would later go on to become the 9^th President of the United States. He ran under the slogan, “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too!” “Tyler” of course, refers to John Tyler, Harrison’s Vice-Presidential running mate (and 10^th President of the United States when Harrison died after just 31 days in office).

Tecumseh would return to Prophetstown devastated. Nevertheless, he gathered up what was left of his tribe, banded together with other Indian tribes and nations, and went on to fight the Americans alongside the British the next year in the War of 1812.

Take Some Stuckey’s Along for the Ride

Of course, there’s much, much more to see and do around the only Stuckey’s in Indiana than we can fit into one blog story. However, no matter if you’re traveling to Gary, Indiana, or Greer, South Carolina, wherever you’re headed, be sure to take some Stuckey’s along for the ride.

From our iconic Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls and classic Stuckey’s Pecan Pralines now made in our candy factory in Wrens, Georgia, Stuckey’s has all the road trip treats you need to get you where you’re going. And our Stuckey’s branded caps and tees and travel mugs will have you looking and feeling good all road trip season long.

Get all of this and more sent right to your door. Browse our website and order your Stuckey’s treats today – only from stuckeys.com!

Stuckey’s – We’re Making Road Trips Fun Again!