Sunny and I have visited so many places in Northern Indiana that it’s getting difficult to find new places to explore. I was looking at Google maps trying to find some place we haven’t been when I stumbled upon Krider World’s Fair Garden in Middlebury, IN. We’ve been to Middlebury several times, but never to the garden, until today. We ventured there today and found the perfect spot to visit on a beautiful summer day.
History of Krider’s Nursery and Krider World’s Fair Garden
First a little history about the garden and its namesake.Vernon Krider founded Krider’s nursery in 1893 growing berries on two acres that was given to him by his father, Samuel. By 1908 he built his first nursery building and added roses to his stock. As the nursery grew, he needed ways to transport his product. In 1920 he obtained his first truck. Then in 1923 a railroad switch was added to the side of the building to allow railcars to be unloaded. Now for the part that involves the garden. In 1933 he invested $10,000 to create and build a display for the 1934 World’s Fair in Chicago. When the fair was over plants and exhibits, including a windmill and giant concrete toadstools, were rebuilt into a garden across the street from the nursery headquarters. And today this, along with a variety of other displays and gardens, has become Krider World’s Fair Garden.
Our Adventure
Since we wanted to do a little hiking before exploring the garden we parked at the Pumpkinvine Trail parking lot on CR43. It is located on the left just past 56006 County Road 43. After parking we hiked from the parking lot into Middlebury. We’ve taken this walk several times, but always ended near the Dairy Queen in Middlebury. Mainly because I didn’t realize the trail continued and there was such a nice garden just half a mile away. You can read about our other adventures on this section of the Pumpkinvine Trail HERE.
Today after exiting the wooded section of the trail near Dairy Queen, we continued walking down the street until we came to a traffic light. We crossed N. Main Street and then York Dr. to continue on the trail. As we walked behind Creamery on Main we thought this would be a great place to stop for ice cream. Unfortunately we usually hike in the morning so it was too early. Sunny thinks we should return and next time come late enough to get a tasty treat. A short distance later we crossed the historic trestle bridge. The bridge was built in 1900 to allow the railcars to cross the Elkhart River and in 2006 was recognized as a saved historic structure. There is a lovely sign on the right-hand side as you cross the bridge that gives its history.
Just a short distance past the trestle bridge is the garden. There is a parking lot on the right with the windmill that was part of the World’s Fair. Around the base are some beautiful flowers and behind it is a brick path that leads through the gardens. We had a lovely walk through both the lower and upper gardens which includes the toadstools, quilt garden, pergola and benches, small waterfall, and much more. We found the garden to be beautiful and peaceful and enjoyed our exploration of it. Afterwards we walked back along the Pumpkinvine Trail to our car.
Sunny’s Perspective
I love coming to the Pumpkinvine Trail because there are lots of good smells and there are CHIPMUNKS! Those little critters are interesting and they move so fast. I love sniffing where they have been. I really liked exploring the garden. It had a lot of interesting things and it was all in the shade so that made for a pleasant walk. I wish it wasn’t such a long drive to get there, but it sure is fun once we arrive and get out of the car.
Our Rating
Sunny and I give Krider World’s Fair Garden 3.5 out of 4 paws up. It’s a beautiful garden, there is a restroom as well as good parking. The main down side for us is that unless you walk from somewhere on the Pumpkinvine Trail, it’s a pretty short stroll through the garden. Despite that we truly enjoyed our visit and plan to visit again.
How Do I Get There?
There is a parking lot at the gardens that can be found by using 302 Bristol Ave, Middlebury, IN as the address in GPS. To follow in our footsteps, use 56006 CR43 as the address. You will actually drive past this address to a gravel parking lot on the left. There is a restroom in the parking lot and plenty of parking in the lot.
For more information, check out these websites: