Goshen's landmarks lean historic, and its amenities lean outdoorsy — a combination that shapes a lot of what living here actually feels like.
Historic landmarks
Six Goshen properties sit on the National Register of Historic Places: the Goshen Historic District itself, the Elkhart County Courthouse at its center, the Fort Wayne Street Bridge, the Goshen Carnegie Public Library, the William N. Violett House, and the Violett-Martin House and Gardens. The Old Bag Factory, a converted industrial building turned working studio space, is a working landmark rather than a static one.
Trails and parks
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, a paved rail-trail running northeast out of town toward Middlebury and Shipshewana, is the best-known outdoor asset in the area. Inside the city, Fidler Pond Park and Abshire Park provide closer-in green space, and Ox Bow Park is a short drive away along the Elkhart River. The Millrace and Maple City Greenway trails add further paved routes through the city.
Nearby, in Elkhart
Wellfield Botanic Gardens and the Lerner Theatre, both in neighboring Elkhart, are close enough to count as regular options for Goshen residents — worth knowing if you're weighing the two cities against each other. See Living in Elkhart, Indiana for more.
Where to spend a day
For a fuller sense of how these landmarks fit into an actual day or weekend, see Things to Do in Goshen, Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Goshen properties are on the National Register of Historic Places?
Six: the Goshen Historic District itself, the Elkhart County Courthouse, the Fort Wayne Street Bridge, the Goshen Carnegie Public Library, the William N. Violett House, and the Violett-Martin House and Gardens.
What's the best-known outdoor asset in Goshen?
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, a paved rail-trail running northeast out of town toward Middlebury and Shipshewana.
What Elkhart attractions are close enough for Goshen residents to use regularly?
Wellfield Botanic Gardens and the Lerner Theatre, both in neighboring Elkhart.
