Jump to Additional Information, Aqueduct, Tom Castaldi, eBooks, Gronauer Lock, Markers, Wabash & Erie Canal Park. See the John Brown Stone Canal House - Warehouse 114 East Superior Street.

February 22, 1832 ground was broken for the canal, which would link Lake Erie at Toledo with the Ohio River at Evansville. Jordan Vigus, Canal Commissioner, Charles W. Ewing, Samuel Hanna, Elias Murray participated in the ceremony. It was completed to Huntington County by July 3, 1835 and by July 4, 1843 was completed near Lafayette, Indiana. It was located where the south end Headwaters Park is now located. and was replaced a couple of decades later by the growth of the railroads. The canal froze in winter and was used for skating and sledding. See a sleigh ride story along the towpath from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis by Eliza Taylor Hanna in short bit of history by Tom Castaldi, local historian posted December 17, 2012 on Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook. The last boat was seen on the canal in 1882 from the October 9, 2019 post by The Landing Fort Wayne on Facebook.

The old canal is visible on various maps such as in Adams Township south of the Chicago & St. Louis Railroad in the northern section of Adams Township of the 1898 Standard Atlas of Allen County, Indiana by Geo. A Ogle at Historic Map Worksor Adams Township on page 58 of the Standard atlas of Allen County, Indiana : including a plat book of the villages, cities and townships of the county ... patrons directory, reference business directory ... by Geo. A. Ogle & Co. cn on Archive.org.

A January 20, 2023 post by Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook stated: DID YOU KNOW we’re on TikTok? We are excited to use it to drop some Wabash & Erie Canal fun facts each week, so give us a follow and learn something new! Their video is on the right:

The Wabash and Erie Canal posted March 22, 2021 by Friends of the Rivers on YouTube.

Map of the Wabash and Erie Canal from the Ohio state line to Terre Haute: Showing its course through the public surveys and the area of selection for said work under the acts of Congress of 1824, 1827, 1841 and 1848. From the Indiana State Library Digital Collection where it is zoomable.
Detailed survey map of the Wabash and Erie Canal as it cuts across Indiana from the Ohio state line, through Fort Wayne to Terre Haute. Details such as land sections and names of land grant holders are included. Sheet 1 is from the Ohio State line to just west of Logansport. Sheet 2 continues from that point to Terre Haute. Terre Haute is cut off of the map.

1993 Wabash and Erie Canal map by Tom Castaldi, used with permission, was printed on page 15 in the September 2005 Allen County Lines periodical for the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana.

Tom Castaldi, local historian

January 27, 2023 post by Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook:

Can you imagine the area around the I-65/IN-25 intersection being underwater? That may have been the reality during the Canal Era! Joining us for a short explainer over on TikTok is Allen County Historian Tom Castaldi.

When the Wabash & Erie Canal crossed a natural waterway, there needed to be a structure to cross safely. At the Wildcat Creek, engineers completed a dam in 1843 that created a large slack water (where water backed up and created a "lake”) where towing animals could easily pull canal boats across.

One of the most fascinating things about canal history is that we are still finding new sites and unraveling new mysteries that have been lost to the 150 years since the Wabash & Erie Canal shut down. A big part of our mission is to preserve these stories so future generations can enjoy learning them!

 

 

 

 

 

1. Capt. Mary Ann Mrs. Martin took over two canal boats by Tom Castaldi, local historianpublished Febraury 17, 2017 on Fort Wayne Magazine.
2. Internal improvements: Canal put Fort Wayne in focus by Tom Castaldi published May 3rd, 2016 in Fort Wayne Magazine.
3. Old Aqueduct Club by Tom Castaldi published October 3, 2013 on the History Center Notes & Queries blog. See Old Aqueduct information on our Places page.
4. Pirogues are hollowed out from thirty to sixty foot long logs, these tree trunk boats brought families and cargo up the Maumee River from Toledo and Detroit, and returned with furs to Lake Erie in exchange for traders’ supplies. Read more on Pirogue Landing by Tom Castaldi published January 16, 2014 on History Center Notes & Queries blog.
5. TAKE A DRIVE ON THE ROUTE OF THE WABASH ERIE CANAL THROUGH ALLEN COUNTY by Tom Castaldi published May 9, 2011 on the History Center Notes & Queries blog.
6. Wabash & Erie Canal notebook : Allen and Huntington counties by Castaldi, Thomas E, Publication date 2002 on Archive.org.
7. Wabash and Erie Canal Stop #17 Audio: Wabash and Erie Canal featuring Tom Castaldi, local historiancourtesy of WBNI-Fort Wayne on the Central Downtown Trail 19 stops on the Heritage Trail by ARCH ( Architecture and Community Heritage).
8. January 12, 2012 post about ice skating on the canal by Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook.

9. December 17, 2022 post with many comments by Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook:

   A bit of Canal history from our friend, historian Tom Castaldi:

   "During cold months such as December, the canal water could be frozen over and boat movement on the water suspended until the following spring. Judge Samuel Hanna, considered the man who made the Wabash Erie Canal a reality, served in the Indiana Legislature. It was Hanna who pointed out the practicality of a canal, and along with David Burr, began the correspondence with the Indiana law makers. Later, Hanna, Burr and another literally surveyed the feeder canal that convinced the legislature to proceed.

   Hanna's daughter once told the story of her mother, Eliza Taylor Hanna, having received a telegraph at midnight during a cold wintery month. It was from Indianapolis and news was that her legislator husband Samuel had been taken seriously ill. She wasted no time in securing a sleigh and traveling along the canal towpath from Fort Wayne to Logansport, Indiana, intending no doubt to take the Michigan Road south to Indianapolis. When she reached Logansport, she received a message that her husband had made a recovery, however, she continued on her trip to Indianapolis and spent the winter there with her husband."

November 9, 2022 post by Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook:
This diagram shows the elevation change in the Wabash & Erie Canal from Toledo, Ohio to Evansville. Fort Wayne is the highest elevation on the route (in line "A") and Terre Haute is the lowest elevation (in line "C").

There are many details too small to read here, but hopefully this provides a visual representation of how canals can overcome natural elevation changes while minimizing pesky currents.

A large board of this chart can be found in our interactive museum, which is open Monday-Saturday afternoons 1-4 PM.

This image is identified as the Profile of the Wabash & Erie Canal, Meeks, Thomas & Julia, Anthony Wayne Printing, 1984. At The University of Chicago Library Catalog. Needs more research.

 

 

February 3, 2023 post by Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook discussing Fort Wayne the Summit City:

How did they engineer the Wabash & Erie Canal to make water flow over the summit at Fort Wayne? 🤔 Watch the fast facts from this week for some topography fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 382 drawings of THE CRUMBLING RUINS OF THE CANAL IN FORT WAYNE in The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River by Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs, Publication date 1917 on Archive.org.
THE CRUMBLING RUINS OF THE CANAL IN FORT WAYNE. There are but few reminders of the existence of the Wabash and Erie canal within the limits of the city of Fort Wayne. The upper sketch shows the last remaining piece of masonry that formed a part of the abutment of the canal aqueduct which crossed the St. Mary's river at the point of the location of the present New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate) railroad bridges. The stone work is on the west bank of the river, directly between the two railroad bridges. A — The canal stone work. B and C — The abutments of the railroad bridges. The lower sketch shows the last remaining portion of the aqueduct which conveyed the waters of the feeder canal across Spy Run creek, near Clinton street. The two maps indicate the location of the points described.

Wabash & Erie Canal white sign and black historic marker on Barr Street south of East Superior Street near elevated Nickel Plate RR tracks Street View photo from Google map

Wabash & Canal Markers

Black triangle marker in Headwaters Park near Little Turtle monument Street View photo from Google map
The Wabash & Erie Canal page at The Historical Marker Datatbase HMdb.org has a Google map showing location of 9 historic markers in Headwaters Park.

1. Wabash and Erie Canal Stop #17 Audio: Wabash and Erie Canal featuring Tom Castaldi, local historiancourtesy of WBNI-Fort Wayne on the Central Downtown Trail 19 stops on the Heritage Trail by ARCH ( Architecture and Community Heritage).
2. Wabash & Erie Canal Historical Markers listing 78 markers on The Historical Marker Datatbase HMdb.org states: Measuring 468 miles long, the Wabash & Erie Canal was the longest artificial waterway in the United States.
3. Several photos of the marker in Rockhill Park near the pavilion were posted June 6, 2022 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
4. Wabash and Erie Canal Groundbreaking marker and The Wabash & Erie Canal marker at the intersection of West Main Street and Growth Avenue. "On February 22, 1832, ground was broken two blocks north for the canal, which would link Lake Erie at Toledo with the Ohio River at Evansville. Jordan Vigus, Canal Commissioner, Charles W. Ewing, Samuel Hanna, Elias Murray participated in the ceremony." Both are on HNMdb.org. A photo of this marker was posted January 4, 2016 by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook and shared January 4, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook stating: "Out in the Field " with Hofer and Davis, Inc. Back in November we shared a picture of the smokestack from the old Wayne Knitting Mills. This historical monument is located at the corner of Growth Avenue and Main Street as erected by the INDIANA HISTORICAL BUREAU in 1992. The Wayne Knitting Mills is pictured to the left.
5. Wabash & Erie Canal Historical Markers at The Historical Marker Datatbase HMdb.org.

Aqueduct

The Wabash & Erie Canal Aqueduct posted March 22, 2021 by Friends of the Rivers on YouTube. See the Old Aqueduct Club.

1. Wabash & Erie Canal Aboite Creek Aqueduct No. 2 photos posted January 16, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
2. Aboite Creek Aqueduct by Mike Fromholt July 4, 2022 on YouTube. A short video of the Aboite Creek Aqueduct, which carried the Wabash & Erie Canal over Aboite Creek in western Allen County. As it is a short video, I will explain more at what you're looking at as well as it's history. The Wabash & Erie Canal linked Lake Erie (via the Miami & Erie Canal) with the Ohio River, near Evansville. The major cities along the 460+ mile route were Fort Wayne(located a few miles east of this point), Lafayette and Terre Haute. Construction started in 1832 and was finished in 1853. The railroads came soon after, and abanondonment began shortly there after, with most sections no longer used by 1870. However, from the 1937 aerial, it appears the aqueduct was still in place, although not in use. Sometime before 1957, the aqueduct either fell into the creek or was removed, but the timbers across the bottom of the aqueduct ended up in the creek, and the creek now flows over them. In the video, you can see where the straight edges of these timbers as the water flows over them. I will try to get there during the fall or winter for better views. Along the south tow-path of the canal, ran an interurban railway which connected Fort Wayne to Lafayette. A power line marks it's path for most of it's leangth between here and Fort Wayne. I was told about this location by an employee of Indiana-Michigan Power back in 1981 when I was inspecting the poles on this right-of-way for my job at the time with Osmose. The Interurban railway, sometimes called the Wabash Vally Railway, operated up until about 1936, when it too was abandoned, after only operating for less than 40 years. Redding Road, at this spot, actually crossed Aboite Creek, and was the main route from Fort Wayne to Huntington. This bridge was taken out when the four-lane US 24 was built in the early 1950's. So, at this spot, three forms of transportation, water, rail and road.
3. Wabash & Erie Canal Aqueduct over Aboit Creek in Allen County, IN on Industrial History blog.
4. NS/NKP Bridge and Wabash & Erie Canal Aqueduct over St. Marys River in Fort Wayne, IN has maps and photos from various sources on Industrial History blog.

Old Cabin-Tavern log home on US 24

Diamond in the Rough...Very Rough originally had a video of a two-story log cabin tavern/home built in the 1830s siting along old US 24 near Woodburn, at the edge of the Wabash and Erie Canal as it has for more than 150 years. It was the only stopping off point for canal travelers between the Ohio state line and Fort Wayne. Passengers would climb off the canal boat and walk fifty yards to this house for refreshment. By Eric Olson, 21Country Featured Reporterpublished January 14, 2014 on 21Country at ABC WPTA21.com TV stationnow on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Log cabin is shown in the Daniel Baker photo below:

"Time goes so slowly" by Daniel Baker on flickr
Street View photo on Google map near 19593 US 24 where the old canal bed is still obvious for several miles along the highway
For as long as I remember, this log cabin sat empty amongst a small grove of trees in a field along US 24 near Woodburn. It predated the highway, being built near where the Wabash and Erie Canal carried passengers and supplies to Fort Wayne and beyond. Historical aerial photos show that it continued as a farmhouse through at least the middle half of the 20th Century. A barn that stood behind was removed sometime between 2003-2006. The cabin remained mostly intact until around early 2015 when its roof gave in. When I returned this summer, it had totally collapsed. US 24 (between Maumee Center and N. Sampson Roads) Allen County, Indiana 12.11.2015
A similar 1830's log cabin was a tavern on the Wabash Erie Canal in Woodburn photo is on Pinterest

Beginnings of the Wabash and Erie Canal starts on page 277 of the The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River by Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs Publication date 1917 on Archive.org.

The Wabash-Erie Canal posted Jan 4, 2015 by Decater Collins on YouTube
Part of the Quitting The Grave series of documentaries on American frontier history. Special Thanks to Walter Font and the Fort Wayne History Center. Please visit their website here: fwhistorycenter.com/ Back to top

Indiana's Canal Experience [Full Documentary] published December 11, 2017 by Canal Society of Indiana on YouTube.

Gronauer Lock

Rediscovered in June of 1990 by construction workers working on the widening of US 24 just East of I-469.

1. Saving the Gronauer Lock Canal Society of Indiana by the Canal Society of Indiana published January 22, 2017 on YouTube
   The story of rediscovering the Gronauer Lock, a wooden lock that operated on the Wabash and Erie Canal.

2. Canal carried Fort Wayne fortward four page The News-Sentinel newspaper article

   July 27, 2017 post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook on Facebook:

   : In June of 1990 construction workers stumbled on the Gronauer Lock while working on the widening of US 24 just East of I-469. The News SENTINEL ran a four page pullout by Bob Caylor on February 19, 1992 or February 19, 1991 (dates on pullout are conflicting). This is the opening page about THE WABASH AND ERIE CANAL for "Throwback Thursday"!

3. Page 2, Locks inched boats through the canals

   August 3, 2017post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook on Facebook:

   For "Throwback Thursday" we share Part 2 of the 4 part News SENTINEL pullout by Bob Caylor from February 19, 1991.

4. Page 3, Hardship marked canal travel

   August 10, 2017 post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook on Facebook:

   For "Throwback Thursday" we share Part 3 of The News Sentinel pullout by Bob Caylor from 1991.

5. Page 4, Lock holds keys to the past

   August 16, 2017 post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook:

   The last of the 4 page pullout from the Fort Wayne News Sentinel by Bob Caylor on THE WABASH AND ERIE CANAL dated February 19,1991 for "Throwback Thursday"!

6. 
   Library of Congress image 3 of 63
   63 black & white photos of the lock at the contruction site are found at the Wabash & Erie Canal, Lock No. 2, 8 miles east of Fort Wayne, adjacent to U.S. Route 24, New Haven, Allen County, IN PHOTOS FROM SURVEY HAER IN-74 at The Library of Congress. Notes - Significance: Lock No. 2 is an example of a wood lock, many of which once existed along the original line of the Wabash and Erie Canal. More fragile than those supported by dressed stone, locks which were constructed on either the timber frame or crib plan were subject to greater wear, deterioration and rot. Lock No. 2 provides an example of nineteenth century wooden lock technology. Engineered to provide a seven-foot lift, Lock No. 2 was one of three similar locks between Fort Wayne and the Ohio/Indiana state line. It was originally constructed between 1837-43 as a Timber Frame Lock (according to the engineer's report of 1837) and in 1849 it was rebuilt as a Timber Crib Lock, the latter being a sturdier type of wood lock construction. At least one additional major repair and/or reconstruction occurred. Lock No. 2 is locally known by the name of its former lockkeeper, Joseph Gronauer and his family. Their farm and store were located adjacent to the lock on the north side, throughout the years of its operation. The family farmhouse remained intact at the site until its demolition between 1942 and 1945. The 20-mile section of the canal within which Lock No. 2 is located, once formed a link between the Fort Wayne-Lafayette portion of the Wabash and Erie Canal to the west and the Miami and Erie Canal in Ohio, to the east. When it was finally completed in 1843, travel and commerce to the Great Lakes and the eastern seaboard, via Toledo, Ohio became possible for the citizens of Indiana. - Survey number: HAER IN-74.

7. On U.S. 24 facing west toward the I-469 overpass in this Street View photo from Google map

   
   Image 34 LOC HAER photo
   Is Image 34 the same general location as the Street View photo from Google map? 34. A photograph from the east forebay, toward the west gate, showing all of the opened cribs on the south side. The hoses along the top of the cribs keep the timbers moist. The overpass of the new I-469 is in the background. - Wabash & Erie Canal, Lock No. 2, 8 miles east of Fort Wayne, adjacent to U.S. Route 24, New Haven, Allen County, IN Photos from Survey HAER IN-74. From Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA at The Library of Congress.
8. 
   Wabash and Erie Canal Lock No. 2
   built 1837 - rebuilt 1849 LOC photo
   68 photos are found in a search for Wabash & Erie Canal, Lock No. 2 at Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey: Search Results at The Library of Congress. Photo posted October 31, 2022 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
9. File:Grovenour Lock location.JPG photo at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
10. New Haven, IN: Wabash & Erie Canal Lock #2 (HAER (63 photos) via in0341; HAER photo list; Satellite, evidently the south lanes of US-24 were built over the canal. According to some of the photos, it was located just east of where the ramp now joins US-24.) Starting on Page 8 of the data file [23-page document above] is a general history of the canal. posted March 6, 2019 on Towns and Nature blog.
11. WABASH & ERIE CANAL, LOCK NO. 2 (Gronauer Lock) 23 page document, original construction between 1837 and 1843, rebuilt in 1849. 8 miles east of Fort Wayne, adjacent to U.S. 24 New Haven vicinity Allen County, Indiana, discovered in 1992 when building an interchange on I-469. HAER No. IN-74, /NO PHOTOGRAPHS, WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA, HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD, Northeast Field Area, Chesapeake/Allegheny System Support Office, National Park Service, U.S. Custom House, 200 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
12. Canal's Gronauer Lock could be reburied 25 years after it was first resurrected by Kevin Leininger published April 5, 2016 in The News-Sentinel newspaper now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
13. Some of canal's Gronauer Lock timbers previously found a second home by Kevin Kilbane published April 6, 2016 in The News-Sentinel newspaper no longer online.
14. A short video dated 10-3-1992 of the public visiting the Gronauer Lock was posted March 8, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook

Archive.org ebooks

1. Catagories: Canals -- Indiana, Canals -- Ohio, Wabash and Erie Canal (Ind. and Ohio), United States -- Wabash and Erie Canal
2. Fort Wayne during the Canal era 1828-1855; a study of a Western community in the middle period of American history by Poinsatte, Charles R, Publication date 1969 on Archive.org. A couple of interesting lines on page 91 is Then in the late 1830s “Dame Fashion” played her role. Just as she had decreed earlier that silk was to replace beaver in the making of hats, now she demanded mink, deer, and, above all, raccoon skins. Since the Maumee Wabash region “produced enormous numbers of raccoons” it became “for a few years the center of interest of the fur business of America.” Thus between 1838 and 1842 Fort Wayne became the base from which an extensive war for this fur trade was carried on.

3. The Canal boat case: who done it?: not us, we were asleep (~1850) - Canal Society of Indiana ebook on Archive.org.
   

4. A trip on the Wabash and Erie Canal by Steele, Marilyn, Publication date 1900 on Archive.org

5. Fort Wayne In Canal Days (1900) ebook on Archive.org.
   

6. The 10 Volume book: Newspaper clippings on the Wabash and Erie Canal (Book) at the Allen County Public Library has volumes 2, 3, 4, 6, and 10 online shown below:
7. Newspaper clippings on the Wabash and Erie Canal, Volume 2, April 1835 - January 1841, Publication date 1903 on Archive.org.
   v. 1. March 1814-Jan. 1835 -- v. 2. April 1835-Jan. 1841 -- v. 3. Dec. 1841-July 1844 -- v. 4. March 1845-Aug. 1850 -- v. 5. Feb. 1851-June 1863 -- v. 6. June 1863-Oct. 1872 -- v. 7. Dec. 1872-April 1874 -- v. 8. April 1874- March 1877 -- v. 9. March 1877-Aug. 1880 -- v. 10. Dec. 1880-July 1903

8. Newspaper clippings on the Wabash and Erie Canal, Volume 3, Dec. 1841-July 1844, Publication date 1903 on Archive.org.
   v. 1. March 1814-Jan. 1835 -- v. 2. April 1835-Jan. 1841 -- v. 3. Dec. 1841-July 1844 -- v. 4. March 1845-Aug. 1850 -- v. 5. Feb. 1851-June 1863 -- v. 6. June 1863-Oct. 1872 -- v. 7. Dec. 1872-April 1874 -- v. 8. April 1874- March 1877 -- v. 9. March 1877-Aug. 1880 -- v. 10. Dec. 1880-July 1903

9. Newspaper clippings on the Wabash and Erie Canal, Volume 4, March 1845 - August 1850, Publication date 1903 on Archive.org.
   v. 1. March 1814-Jan. 1835 -- v. 2. April 1835-Jan. 1841 -- v. 3. Dec. 1841-July 1844 -- v. 4. March 1845-Aug. 1850 -- v. 5. Feb. 1851-June 1863 -- v. 6. June 1863-Oct. 1872 -- v. 7. Dec. 1872-April 1874 -- v. 8. April 1874- March 1877 -- v. 9. March 1877-Aug. 1880 -- v. 10. Dec. 1880-July 1903

10. Newspaper clippings on the Wabash and Erie Canal, Volume 6, June 1863 - October 1872, Publication date 1903 on Archive.org.
    v. 1. March 1814-Jan. 1835 -- v. 2. April 1835-Jan. 1841 -- v. 3. Dec. 1841-July 1844 -- v. 4. March 1845-Aug. 1850 -- v. 5. Feb. 1851-June 1863 -- v. 6. June 1863-Oct. 1872 -- v. 7. Dec. 1872-April 1874 -- v. 8. April 1874- March 1877 -- v. 9. March 1877-Aug. 1880 -- v. 10. Dec. 1880-July 1903

11. Newspaper clippings on the Wabash and Erie Canal, Volume 10, December 1880 - July 1903, Publication date 1903 on Archive.org.
    v. 1. March 1814-Jan. 1835 -- v. 2. April 1835-Jan. 1841 -- v. 3. Dec. 1841-July 1844 -- v. 4. March 1845-Aug. 1850 -- v. 5. Feb. 1851-June 1863 -- v. 6. June 1863-Oct. 1872 -- v. 7. Dec. 1872-April 1874 -- v. 8. April 1874- March 1877 -- v. 9. March 1877-Aug. 1880 -- v. 10. Dec. 1880-July 1903

12. The Wabash trade route in the development of the old Northwest by Benton, Elbert Jay, 1871-1946, Publication date 1903 on Archive.org.

13. Canal celebrations in old Fort Wayne - 1916, Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County. cn, ebook on Archive.org.
    

14. The Wabash-Erie Canal : Fort Wayne on the old canal ([1952]) - Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County ebook on Archive.org.
    

15. As I remember … by Randall, Winifred J. Topics Fort Wayne (Ind.) -- History Publisher [Fort Wayne, Indiana] : Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County, 1960 on Archive.org. Another brighter scanned version of As I remember...
    

16. The Irish War on page 129 of Pamphlets by the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County, Publication date 1953, on Archive.org.
    

17. March 17, 2016 post by The History Center on Facebook:

    Happy St. Patrick's Day! Irish immigrants have been a part of Fort Wayne's history from the early days of the frontier. The Irish helped build the Wabash and Erie Canal, laid rail and worked in machine shops for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and are  represented in some of Fort Wayne's most recognizable names such as Hamilton, Hanna, and Swinney.

18. July 12, 2023 post by the Indiana Historical Bureau on Facebook:

    #OTD in 1835, two factions of Irish immigrants—the Corkonians and Fardowns—who had been constructing the Wabash and Erie Canal, skirmished at Lagro. The militia was called in and arrested those laborers who had not already dispersed. According to historian Jay M. Perry, “The Irish War stemmed from real and perceived grievances related to laborers’ economic concerns.” He expounded that “members had organized themselves into protective associations aimed at securing and defending the economic interests of their membership, namely preserving access to employment on the nation’s canals and railroads. Violence and intimidation, their key tools in achieving these goals, periodically resulted in brawls like the one on the Wabash and Erie [Canal].” Learn more: Canals & Conflict: How Irish Immigrants Built and Battled on the Wabash & Erie Canal

    The image of canal workers below is courtesy of Indiana Public Media.

    Wabash & Erie Canal Park

    Wabash & Erie Canal Park Delphi, Indiana, county seat of Carroll County. Their Facebook description states: Visit the only navigable section of the historic Wabash & Erie Canal in Indiana! Enjoy the Museum, Village, Canal Boat Tours, miles of Scenic Trails. Canal Park attractions include an interpretive center, pioneer village, replica canal boat tours, trail & towpath system, canal boat playground, campground, museum and gift shop. Conference Center is available to rent for weddings, receptions, family reunions, special events, business conferences and more. Ask about the Little White Chapel for smaller weddings. The “Delphi” Canal Boat is also available for private charters for up to 30 people. Website: https://wabashanderiecanal.org/. In November 2022 they posted ten days of WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ's with photos and maps. We include the first sentence from each below, click the date to read the complete Facebook post.
    1. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ'S: Day 1 - November 3, 2022 - Welcome to a mini-series we are posting for the next ten days, and we hope you learn something new about our organization and the history we seek to preserve.
    2. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ'S: Day 2 - November 4, 2022 - Many visitors are astonished at the beauty and scenery of Canal Park, and we often hear, "You are so fortunate to have such a beautiful outdoor space!"
    3. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ'S: Day 3 - November 5, 2022 - Today we'll talk about everyone's favorite topic: TAXES! But seriously, you may be surprised to learn that Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal Inc. is not a government-affiliated entity and we don't take a penny of city, county, or state taxes.
    4. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ'S: Day 4 - November 6, 2022 - When visitors see how long the Wabash & Erie Canal was, they sometimes ask where else they can go see it. The unfortunate truth is that we are one of the VERY few spots along the full route where you can clearly see the canal as it once was! The canal brought extensive and rapid change to Indiana, and yet it is a "hidden wonder" today. Here are a few quick examples of how the Wabash & Erie transformed the Hoosier State.
    5. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ's: Day 5 - November 7, 2022 - Sometimes visitors stop in and they are disappointed to learn that the boat or Pioneer Village isn't open on the day of their visit. If we're a historical park, why aren't all the attractions open daily?
    6. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ's: Day 6 - November 9, 2022 - Today's fact is one that often shocks guests: Wabash & Erie Canal Park is, in fact, private property! The common assumption is that our outdoor spaces are part of Delphi's public park system. While the City offers many wonderful outdoor destinations, we are a separate, non-government organization.
       

    
    
    7. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ's: Day 7 - November 9, 2022 - with photo and profile map states: Every so often, a visitor will refer to our canal as "a river," "creek," "stream," or some other naturally-occurring waterway. We don't like to be too picky, but canals are completely different because they are artificial! During Indiana's early years, water transportation was essential. In Delphi, we are next to the Wabash River and Deer Creek. But these waterways weren't enough to bring widespread commerce and development to our area. Why?
    8. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ's: Day 8 - November 10, 2022 - In honor of the incredible weather we're having, let's talk about fishing Are there fish in the water here at Canal Park? YES, and you are welcome to come try your luck! While we do not actively stock the canal, there are still a variety of fish that reside and thrive in there. Our friend George, pictured here, said that he has caught (and released) crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, grass pike, yellow bullhead catfish, and others!
    9. WABASH & ERIE CANAL FACTS AND FAQ's: Day 9 - November 11, 2022 - When people hear that there's a museum to visit in Delphi, there can be some skepticism out there: "What sort of museum can I expect in a town of 3,000 people?" As it turns out, you can expect a top-quality, engaging experience! When the museum opened, it was named best volunteer-driven museum in the United States Most of the museum was built by volunteers, which is a testament to the resourceful generosity of our community in Carroll County.
    10. 468 Club is an informal association of donors who lend operational support to the Wabash & Erie Canal organizationin Delphi, Indiana.

    February 24, 2023 post by Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook:

    James S. Hinton was the first African-American Hoosier to be elected to statewide office, but did you know his first trailblazing role was with the Wabash & Erie Canal? Check out this week's video to learn more!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Additional Information

    1. American Canal Society Canal Index for Wabash & Erie Canal.
    2. Annual Report of the Trustees of the Wabash and Erie Canal, to the General Assembly of the State of Indiana: December, 1847 (Classic Reprint) Hardcover – August 24, 2018 on Amazon.com. It is likely there were reports for other years.
    3. Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Wabash and Erie Canal By Indiana. Board of Trustees of the Wabash and Erie Canal · 1865 a Google eBook
    4. Two images described as A trip down the canal. Wabash and Erie Canal toll receipt from 1851. Describes a boat named J.Q. Adams hauling 2000 Bushels of corn weighing an incredible 120,000 pounds from Pittsburg Indiana (near Delphi Indiana) to the Ohio state line (120 miles) with a tax charge of $40.32. A wagon was also transported. I am not sure what was transported for 20 cents on the third line. Mentions what appears to be ‘Logan’ which I believe refers to Logansport. Let me know if you are able to decipher any more of the cursive writing. posted January 2, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
    5. May 7, 1900 Fort Wayne News newspaper article posted May 7, 2016 on You know you've lived in Fort Wayne too long when... Private Facebook group.
    6. May 17, 1914 in The Journal Gazette newspaper Barge Canal project article was discussed October 7, 2017 on You know you've lived in Fort Wayne too long when... Private Facebook group.
    7. CANAL HISTORY - 1828-1881* from New Haven Area Heritage Association, Inc.
    8. Canal Mania in Indiana 16 pages with maps, photos, and more from the June 1997 The Indiana Historian magazine at the Indiana Historical Bureau.
    9. Canal Society of Indiana founded in 1982, has biographies and/or genealogies of those who were officially connected to Indiana’s canals, worked on them or had businesses related to them on their website: https://indcanal.org, a Historical Archive with past issues of their publication The Hoosier Packet, and 173 page publication Fort Wayne Newspapers 1830-1879 that mention canals. A January 15, 2022 post by the Canal Society of Indiana on Facebook states: Want to know more about Indiana canals? Go to the CSI Website: indcanal.org There you will find all of issues of "The Tumble" to view. Go to Videos & Statistics or to Historical Archives. In the Archives are back issues of "The Hoosier Packet" from 2016 - 2021 and also tour Guides For a guide about Fort Wayne go to "The Beginnings" - 1977. Patience! Let if load up and then just go below the display box of the guide where it says "Click open for a new Tab." Again Patience! This will give you a full screen that you can magnify for an even better view. Try it out and give me a "Like" if you succeed. There are hundreds of pages of canal information on our website. Several posts with photos for Fort Wayne have been on their Facebook page.
    10. Canals: Towpaths West 1963 video by Indiana University Media Collections Online. Canal history plus dramatization of 1840s life along a canal.
        A document of the day March 21, 2018 was the 1961 letter explaining the purpose of this video by Indiana U. Archives on Twitter.
    11. Fleeting canal era had impact on Indiana - INDIANA AT 200, A COLUMN BY ANDREA NEAL published July 30, 2014 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
    12. Fort Wayne during the Canal era 1828-1855; a study of a Western community in the middle period of American history by Poinsatte, Charles R, Publication date 1969, borrow online as on Archive.org.
    13. Fort Wayne, IN: Wabash and Erie Canal has maps and photos from various sources on Towns and Nature blog.
    14. How The Landing and Dock Street Got Their Names (It's for the Same Reason) by Shane G. posted on August 10, 2012 on Visit Fort Wayne blog. See The Landing for more information.
    15. Indiana's canal heritage by Harlow, Alvin F. (Alvin Fay), 1875-1963, Publication date 1954, on Archive.org.
    16. Internal Improvements in Indiana: No. III—The Wabash and Erie Canal a Google eBook. Original source: Cottman, G. S. (1907). Internal Improvements in Indiana: No. III—The Wabash and Erie Canal. Indiana Magazine of History. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/imh/article/view/5608, Volume 3, Issue 3, September 1907 from the Indiana Magazine of History journal in the archives at Indiana University Scholarworks.
    17. Lost Birds of Canal Days - a new sign in 2013 at Eagle Marsh lists Prairie Chicken, Carolina Parrot and Passenger Pigeon as birds canal riders may have seen. See October 28, 2013 photo from Stockbridge Audubon Society shared on Little River Wetlands Facebook page.
    18. Map of Indiana Canals 1805-1915 by the Indiana Historical Bureau on IN.gov.
    19. Take a Motor Tour on the Wabash Erie Canal Towpath TrailNovember 18, 2008 on We Canal Corridor Tour.
    20. New Haven Canal Days on Facebook.
    21. New Haven Fun Fact: Canal Landing is a 1/3rd acre pocket park on Broadway between Main and Bell. Its historic plaque tells the importance of the canal in New Haven’s development. From Moser Park, the canal traveled northeast along the north side of Main Street and through town to cross Green Street between Bell and Canal. It then followed the route of U.S. 24 East. The canal bed is very apparent on the south side of U.S. 24 driving east. Copied from a September 1, 2022 post by City of New Haven Indiana on Facebook.

    22. Wabash-Erie Canal Through New Haven, Indiana November 28, 2022 Mike Fromholt on YouTube
        This short video shows the route of the Wabash-Erie Canal through the city of New Haven, Indiana. The canal operated from the 1830's and was abandoned c1878. Maps from: Google Earth, IMaps

    23. The News-Sentinel newspaper had a four page pullout by Bob Caylor published February 19, 1991, or 1992, posted July 27, 2017 by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook.
    24. Newspaper Clippings on the Wabash and Erie Canal, Vol. 2: April, 1835 January, 1841 (Classic Reprint) Paperback – February 5, 2018 at Amazon.com.
    25. Old Towpaths, The Story of The American Canal Era by Alvin F. Harlow, Publication date, 1926, on Archive.org.
    26. Remnants Of The Wabash & Erie Canal: Fort Wayne/New Haven, Indiana has photos of area remnants on Facebook such as June 14, 2012 with a photo stating: Travelling along Rose Street out to 469 from New Haven, turn to the right and voila, you will see the old traces of the canal. Here is the remnant of the towpath and dip, behind homes in Tanglewood. — in New Haven, Indiana.
    27. The Remains of the Wabash-Erie Canal through Allen County Photos on an archived April 12, 2002 Geocities site on the Wayback Machine.
    28. The Remains of the St. Joseph Feeder Canal an archived 04/12/2002 Geocities user generated web page with photos mirrored in October 2009 to the archive site oocities.org.
    29. Report of the Commissioners of the Wabash and Erie Canal By Indiana. Board of Canal Commissioners · 1835 a Google eBook. It is likely there were reports for many years.
    30. Sweet Breeze a canal boat replica was launched in June 2017 on the 3 rivers sponsored by Friends of the Rivers, forfw.org, Facebook.
    31. The route to Swift's Park (Robison Park) with photos was discussed July 1, 2016 photos and discussion and Fort Wayne Feeder Canal for the Wabash & Erie Canal discussion with photos August 24, 2015 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
    32. Take a Boat Ride on the Wabash and Erie Canal! by Sara published May 24, 2014 on the Home of Purdue blog.
    33. Wabash & Erie Canal on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
    34. Wabash and Erie Canal group on Facebook.
    35. Wabash & Erie Canal map and photos from Ed Pope
    36. Wabash & Erie Canal earthlink site links on to other web sites from 19th Century U.S. Canals.
    37. Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail follows along the path of the former canal connecting various area trails. It is 5.5 miles from Rockhill Park to the Lutheran Hospital campus, weaving through beautiful neighborhoods, scenic marshlands and near areas of commerce. The trail is a bike and pedestrian connection between the Aboite Trails and the Rivergreenway, providing more than 60 miles of connected trails within the trail network. Copied from the Fort Wayne Parks Trails page which also has a map.
    38. Wabash and Erie Canals collection at the Indiana State Library.
    39. Wabash & Erie Canal Park on Facebook in Delphi, Indiana and their web site.
    40. Remnants Of The Wabash & Erie Canal: Fort Wayne/New Haven, Indiana Facebook page that shares and posts photos and information.
    41. Wabash and Erie Canal Company Records, 1833–1877 are available from the Manuscripts and Archives Department, William Henry Smith Memorial Library, Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269.
    42. Wabash and Erie Canal in Indiana Rates of Toll for 1850 poster shown in the digital collections at the Indiana Historical Society
    43. Collection # M 0758, OM 0392 WABASH AND ERIE CANAL COMPANY, RECORDS, 1833–1877 (BULK 1833–1862) Collection Information, Historical Sketch, Scope and Content Note, Series Contents, Cataloging Information, Processed by Colby Barkes, 12 June 2001, Revised 23 September 2003, Manuscripts and Archives Department, William Henry Smith Memorial Library, Indiana Historical Society
    44. Wabash & Erie Canal marker State Highway 58 and State Highway 57, Elnora (Daviess County, Indiana), installed in 2007 Indiana Historical Bureau and Elmore Township Community Association, Inc. lists lots of interesting references on the webpage by Indiana Historical Bureau.
    45. St. Patrick Oratory celebrates patron saint by Joshua Schipper published March 22, 2022 in Today's Catholic. It starts out: A good deal of early Catholic history in northeastern Indiana revolves around the building of the iconic Wabash-Erie Canal in the 19th century. Fort Wayne has two streets named for prominent Catholic Francis Comparet, who hosted priests ministering to the area’s canal workers during the time that the Diocese of Vincennes had jurisdiction over the city. Comparet even notified the diocese that an estimated 2,000 Catholic canalmen had gone roughly six months without access to the sacraments. The article continues discussing Lagro a town in Lagro Township, Wabash County.
    46. April 8, 2022 Mitch Harper on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook shared the article Water Over Water: The History of the Fall Creek Aqueduct on the Central Canal in Indianapolis saying it will deepen your appreciation fo the aquaduct over the Saint Marys near West Main Street for the Wabash & Erie Canal.
    47. Irish Immigrants Left Their Mark Building the Wabash-Erie Canal by Joshua Schipper | Oct 4, 2022 | on  Fort Wayne Media Collaborative. See our Irish section.
    48. A December 10, 2022 discussion on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook about a photo of a sign on I-469 near Rose Avenue for the Wabash & Erie Canal. See Remnants Of The Wabash & Erie Canal: Fort Wayne/New Haven, Indianaphoto posted June 14, 2012 stating: Travelling along Rose Street out to 469 from New Haven, turn to the right and voila, you will see the old traces of the canal. Here is the remnant of the towpath and dip, behind homes in Tanglewood. — in New Haven, Indiana.
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