Columbia City: Trails, History and Festivals

Columbia City combines outdoor trails, local history, aquatic recreation and recurring events. The Blue River Trail is shorter than the Mountain Bike Trail; two museums and the self-guided 17-stop Windows into History tour offer different ways to explore the city’s history.

Trails and Recreation

The Blue River Trail is approximately 4.6 miles long. Its route description names Vine Street and Whitley Street as endpoints; the trail also extends into the center of Morsches Park. In spring 2013, it was extended by 0.8 miles from Morsches Park to the DeMoney & Grimes funeral home. A new bridge over the Blue River was built as part of the project.

The Mountain Bike Trail offers more than seven miles of minimally maintained singletrack for mountain bikers, runners and hikers. Its southern side covers approximately 3.5 miles and includes technical sections. The Blue River Trail is shorter than the Mountain Bike Trail; the technical sections are on the southern side of the Mountain Bike Trail. The Blue River Trail runs from Vine Street to Whitley Street and into the center of Morsches Park; the Mountain Bike Trail is minimally maintained and intended for mountain bikers, runners and hikers.

Another recreational option is the Russell and Evelyn Fahl Aquatics Center. It has a swimming pool, water slides, pickleball courts and basketball facilities. The center complements the trails with aquatic and sports activities, offering a different leisure option from outdoor trails.

Different Ways to Explore Local History

The Whitley County Historical Museum is located in the Thomas Riley Marshall House in Columbia City, Indiana. At the Columbia City Fire Museum, artifacts from the early days of firefighting tell the story of the local fire department and fire safety in Columbia City.

Windows into History is a self-guided tour through downtown Columbia City with 17 stops. Unlike the museums, which cover different historical subjects, Windows into History is a self-guided tour with 17 stops through downtown.

Seasonal Events

Old Settlers’ Days takes place every June and features rides, food and a parade. On Christmas Eve, the Columbia City Fire Department holds its candy distribution, a tradition dating back more than a century. It takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Courthouse: children receive a 1-pound bag of candy and an orange. The farmers market is another seasonal event. During the warmer months, it takes place on Saturday mornings around the Courthouse Square. The festival takes place in June, the farmers market during the warmer months, and the candy distribution on Christmas Eve. Check current dates before traveling, especially for the seasonal market.

For the broader travel overview: Whitley County.