Huntington in Huntington County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
In 1835, The Wabash & Erie Canal Was Completed
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 31, 2020
1. In 1835, The Wabash & Erie Canal Was Completed Marker
In 1835, the Wabash & Erie Canal was completed through this area. A swatch, 60 feet wide, was cleared before a channel, 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep, was dug by men using picks, shovels, axes and slip scoops pulled by beasts of burden. Across the way a berm, 5 feet wide, edged the north side of the canal. You are standing on the towpath which was 10 feet wide. Horses or mules plodded along the towpath pulling canal boats that were as much as 90 feet long and 14 feet wide. Mules were used to haul freight boats while the more fleet-footed horses pulled the sleek packet passenger boats at a brisk 5 mph.
The agreement whereby the lands for the canal in this area were acquired from the Miami Indians came as a result of a letter written in 1834 by Chief Richardville to General Lewis Cass, the Secretary of War and a past commissioner at the 1826 Treaty of Paradise.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 40° 52.7′ N, 85° 32.167′ W. Marker is in Huntington, Indiana, in Huntington County
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Wabash & Erie Canal Fulfilled George Washington's Dream (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Home of Chief Richardville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Treaty Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away); Forks of Wabash (approx. 0.3 miles away); The “Lime City” (approx. 1˝ miles away); Huntington Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (approx. 1˝ miles away); Huntington Veterans Memorial (approx. 1˝ miles away); Huntington Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntington.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 24 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 2, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
