U.S. 41: North from the Crossroads
of America in Terre Haute, Indiana

Before we start out on our two-lane highway adventure ... let's eat!

Right at the historical junction of U.S. 40 and U.S. 41, the Crossroads of America, is Boo's Crossroads Cafe/La Familia di Jeshua, depending on the time of day.

Boo's cafe fare will do nicely for breakfast or lunch. In the afternoon, Boo goes home and Jeshua takes over, crafting specialty pizzas or Italian sandwiches and such for dinner.

Now that your tummy is full, let's head north.

The house that
Larry built

Just one block from the historical Crossroads of America is the campus of Indiana State University. Another block north is Larry Bird Avenue, named for Indiana State's most famous student.

Larry Bird Avenue runs one block east to the west entrance of Hulman Center, the site of many of Indiana State's victories during Bird's three years (1977-79) at the school.

The home of prominent early-20th century Socialist Eugene V. Debs also is on the Indiana State campus. Thrown in prison after making an anti-war speech in 1918, Debs ran for president from his jail cell. He was pardoned in 1921.

Continuing north on "Business" 41, you must turn right onto Lafayette Avenue to follow the highway. Layafette runs diagonally southwest to northeast.

It's the real thing

You'll see the Coca-Cola Bottling plant on the west side of U.S. 41 as you continue north. Did you know that the shapely Coca-Cola bottle was designed in Terre Haute?

A fellow named Chapman J. Root owned a glass company here and it was his company's bottle design Coca-Cola chose over nearly a dozen other contenders in 1916.

Shortly, you pass through the 12 Points historical district. The area gets its name from three streets that intersect here and the 12 points (or corners) those intersections make.

Among the historical structures here are the former Garfield movie theater now being used as the home of the Banks of the Wabash Barbershop Chorus and a former bank building that houses several small businesses.

Now, if you didn't take us up on the suggestion to eat at Crossroads/Jeshua's at the beginning of our journey, that's OK, because we're about to recommend several other places to grab a bite.

The first is a little cafe, the Coffee Cup at 1512 Lafayette Ave. Typical cafe food with extra-friendly service. It's on the west side of the highway in what used to be a drive-in restaurant. Sorry, no girls on roller skates these days; you must go inside to be served.

Feast on German cuisine

About two blocks away at 1724 Lafayette is Gerhardt's Bierstube. Draft German beer and authentic German dishes are offered. Many customers select the German Feast so they can try several dishes at once. Don't fill up, though. Make sure you leave room for the Heidelberg Haus Torte for dessert.

From the Bierstube you'll continue north through both residential neighborhoods and retail areas. It's easy to see why this section of U.S. 41 was rerouted onto a bypass years ago.

After several miles of this, once again the highway becomes surrounded by farm fields and the homes become more scarce.

"Business" 41 and U.S. 41 rejoin just before you reach Parke County ... the Covered Bridge Capital of the World.

Continue north on U.S. 41

Photos
Top: Terre Haute's Eugene V. Debs (left) ran for president as a socialist in the early 1900s. Middle right: An early version of the Coca-Cola bottle that was designed in Terre Haute. Middle left: The old Garfield movie theater in the 12 Points historical district has new singing tenants. Bottom: German feasts await at Gerhardt's Bierstube on old U.S. 41. Above: A street sign lets visitors know where the one-block long Larry Bird Avenue is.