Whitewater Canal State Historic Site
The Whitewater Canal was one of several projects begun by the Indiana Improvement Act of 1836, which was designed to improve transportation and develop commerce state-wide. Constructed to link southeastern and central Indiana, the canal was completed in 1847.
The canal extended 68 miles from Lawrenceburg to Cambridge City, with an eight-mile extension north to Hagerstown and a 25-mile extension to Cincinnati.
Although canal traffic flourished for several years, the project proved to be a financial disaster for the state of Indiana.
The costs incurred in the construction of the 56 locks and seven feeder dams required to maintain the canal totaled over one million dollars.
The advent and development of the railroad during the early 1860s marked the demise of the Whitewater Canal and the canal era in Indiana.
In 1946, the State of Indiana began the process of reclaiming and restoring a 14-mile section of the original canal.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wabash & Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 39° 27.1′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Whitewater Canal (approx. 0.6 miles away); Locking Thru Lock No. 24 (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Whitewater Canal State Historic Site (approx. 0.6 miles away); Metamora to Twin Locks: along the trail (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Duck Creek Aqueduct (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Duck Creek Aqueduct (approx. 0.9 miles away);
Another marker is no longer nearby. Gordon's or Millville Lock #24 (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 241 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
