(Note: All odometers read slightly different, so the mileage stated here is meant to serve as a general guideline. But it should get you very close.)

0.00 Start

Start your adventure in Madison at the county courthouse, at Jefferson and Main Streets. Head west on Main Street

0.5 River Oak Chophouse

A new dining experience in Downtown Madison, a sister restaurant to Stream Cliff Farm.

0.8 Right on Rte. 7

Turn at the Red Pepperoni Pizza Restaurant, but keep it in mind for your return trip later in the day, in case you are hungry!

1.7 Hanging Rock Waterfall

The old road actually used to pass UNDER this famous landmark, and in fact, you can still drive under it if you want to. After big rains, there can be so much water pouring over the falls that they have to close the road for a short time!

2.0 Diego’s Mexican Restaurant

A two decades old local favorite.

2.5 Left to stay on 7

3.8 Straight across 56/62 to stay on 7

4.8 Left on Deputy Pike

You’ll be on Deputy Pike for about 12 miles. As you get close to the town of Deputy, you’ll have the option to turn right on a gravel section, or go about a half mile further and turn right on a paved highway. Both options lead directly to the Stream Cliff destination. Fun side note: This is the only “DEPUTY” you will find in America. There is no other town, city or village named Deputy!

9.4 Neavill’s Grove Meeting Ground

The “Old Settler’s Meeting” has been held every year on this site since 1885 on the last weekend in August. It’s a time capsule to the old farm country gatherings where people would come to show off their homemade pies, toss some horseshoes, and parade their prize livestock. The open sided meeting house is right out of a classic church revival. There are no amenities but it is a beautiful tree covered rest stop Spring – Fall.

9.8 Volga!

This little cluster of houses, situated on an old creek water crossing (now a modern bridge) does not have a posted name. But if you look on Google Maps, you’ll see it’s the remnants of a town called Volga. Named after the river in Russia? We’ll never know!

10.5 Ford Cemetery, est. 1830

This little cemetery, right close to the road, is a very early burial ground, just 14 years after Indiana became a state. It’s hard to imagine what pioneer life might have been like then.

13.6 Tiny Timbers Saw Mill

If you are a woodworker or do any kind of wood project work, this little mill, quite off the beaten path, is a real treasure. They stock hardwood lumber in all the popular species, such as oak, maple, walnut and many more. They do custom millwork, too.

Alternate Gravel Route to Stream Cliff

If you are comfortable with a little hard pack gravel and a short water crossing, you should consider taking this alternate route instead of Highway 3. It is very scenic and features a fascinating historic 1885 truss bridge across Big Creek. The water crossing is usually very shallow, but could be slippery for 2-wheel vehicles. For Jeeps and most cars with normal ground clearance, it is a piece of cake, and highly recommended! Here are the directions: Just before you get to Deputy, at Mile 17.3, turn right onto County. Rd. 1360. The bridge is about a mile and a half up this road, and you will want to stop and take pictures. Continue until this road “Tees” onto 250 and turn right. Just a short ride into the tiny town of Paris, and watch for County Road 120W in Paris and turn left. (The road will be paved now.) This road will change names to 75W about 1.5 miles in. It’s about 3 miles total until you encounter the wet water crossing. If it has rained recently and water looks fast and deep, this may not be safe, so use caution. But normally it should only be a couple of inches deep and barely flowing. After you cross the water you’ll find Stream Cliff Farm & Restaurant right in front of you! When you are done at Stream Cliff, retrace your path back across the water and south till you hit 250 in Paris. Turn left on 250 in Paris and take it east. You can follow the directions below picking up at “Mile 26.3 Left on 250”, but keep in mind your odometer readings may be a little off.

17.8 Right on Rte. 3 (Paved route)

There is an old classic service station at this intersection, on your left as you are exiting Deputy Pike and getting ready to turn right. It is worth pulling in and peeking in the office window, where you will find a vintage 1970 Kawasaki Bighorn 350 motorcycle lurking behind the glass. Super cool! Jennings County

22.7 Right 115W

This turn is directly across from the Commiskey Store and Gas Station, just for reference.

23.2 Stream Cliff Farm, Restaurant and Winery

You should absolutely get off the bike (or out of the car) and check out Stream Cliff. The owners have done a great job making it a fun and friendly experience, and the food is absolutely home-cooked and amazing. These are the same folks who own Crimson & Oak Restaurant in North Vernon, and the new River Oak Chophouse in Madison.

(Turn around at Stream Cliff and back out the way you came in, on 115W)

23.7 Left on Rte 3 at Commiskey Market

26.3 Left on 250

32.9 Town of Lancaster

Not much left of the town these days, but at one time this was a thriving commercial center and a hotbed of abolitionist activists. Undoubtedly a stop on the Underground Railroad.

33.1 Historic Eleutherian College

Eleutherian College was founded in 1848 by local anti-slavery Baptists, and was the first college in Indiana to admit ALL students without regard to race, ethnicity or gender, including freed and fugitive slaves. The restored three-story stone chapel and classroom building was constructed between 1853 and 1856 and presently serves as a local history museum.

41.9 Right to stay on 7

43.6 Left on Main

This intersection, where 7 hits Main Street, is actually steeped in early town history. This was actually a separate town called West Madison in the early and mid-1800’s. It had its own small cluster of stores and homes, apart from the main town about a mile to the east. You have to remember, in those days no one had cars, so it was a 20 minute walk each way to the center of town to get supplies or groceries. West Madison became its own little town center, to serve this far end of the city. Later when cars became prevalent, it ended up with service stations on 3 of the corners, and all 3 buildings are still there, but now owned by the “Red” restaurant folks.

44.5 Done!