The opening pages of my novel begin on a train to Attica, where my main character begins her journey to the famous Mudlavia Hotel. One thing that has been really fun about writing this historical fiction novel is that I get to see and experience the places I'm writing about. When I create other worlds, I have to rely on my creativity, and hope that someday I'll get to see the ideas in my head come to life through illustrations or the big screen. But for this story, I can recreate the road to Mudlavia because the general path to the hotel still exists today.
First stop, Attica Station!
The Attica Station used to reside on this corner. At the turn of the century, the station would have been bustling with people. The hotel attendants, men in spiffy uniforms from various area hotels, waited at the depot, yelling loudly at the people coming off the train to convince them to stay at their hotel.
The Mudlavia employees wore gray uniforms and drove hacks...
Let's discuss the word "hack" for a second. Nowadays a hack is a cool trick or shortcut for something. Years ago it meant when someone did a bad job at something. And if we go back to the turn of the century and the time of the Mudlavia Hotel, it meant a carriage or stagecoach pulled by horses. Mudlavia had several hacks, but their most famous one was called the Tally-Ho. Later on, they also acquired fancy automobiles that would meet people at the train station and drive them to the hotel.
Once you climbed into a Mudlavia hack or car, you were on your way across the Wabash river. Obviously this wasn't the original bridge they used, but you get the idea!
Moore's Hill Road was there at the turn of the century and is still here today!
Moore's Hill today
Illustrated picture of Moore's Hill from the early 1900's. I can only imagine what a wild carriage ride this would have been!
There are lots of corners and turns...
The famous Pine Creek, where the guests would swim, enjoy picnics, and participate in gamey bass fishing competitions.
Pine Creek is still gorgeous!
They would keep going...
and going...
and going...
This is where I must leave you for now. (The property where the Mudlavia Hotel used to reside is privately owned and I gave my word to the owner that I would not post any other pictures of it.) Henry Kramer called Mudlavia and the surrounding area peaceful valley, and as you travel the road to Mudlavia, you will find the views both breathtaking and peaceful indeed!
