Near Russellville in Putnam County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Portland Mills
of four Townships on the Parke
and Putnam Co. line, once the
center of the thriving rural town
of Portland Mills
Settled in the early 1800's
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Established 1838 - Relocated 1959
WATER-POWERED MILL
Built 1822 - Destroyed by fire 1960
Erected 1972 by Clinton, Greene, Russell, Union Townships. (Marker Number 67.1972.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 39° 46.769′ N, 87° 0.651′ W. Marker is near Russellville, Indiana, in Putnam County. Marker is at the intersection of County Road 800N and County Road 900E, on the left when traveling north on County Road 800N. Marker is located at the Portland Mills Picnic Area in Raccoon State Recreation Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Russellville IN 46175, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Foundation Rock (a few steps from this marker); Portland Mills Covered Bridge (approx. 7 miles away); State Sanatorium Covered Bridge (approx. 7.2 miles away); Site Of Shiloh Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.4 miles away); First Church Built in Parke County Indiana (approx. 7.4 miles away); Birthplace of Mordecai Brown (approx. 8.4 miles away); The Batty Mine Location (approx. 8.6 miles away); Chief Cornstalk’s Village (approx. 8.6 miles away).
Regarding Portland Mills. In 1960 the Army Corps of Engineers impounded Big Raccoon Creek for flood control purposes and created Cecil M. Harden Lake. The community of Portland Mills was inundated by the reservoir, and community residents were relocated. Community buildings were dismantled, and the covered bridge was disassembled, moved eight miles to the northwest, and reassembled over Little Raccoon Creek.
Also see . . . Portland Mills, Part 1. Putnam County Museum website entry (Submitted on February 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.