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
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Location. 39° 27.1′ N, 85° 6.933′ W. Marker is in Metamora, Indiana, in Franklin County. Marker is on U.S. 52, one mile east of McGuire Ridge Road, on the left when traveling west. The marker is at a road side rest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17785 US-52, Metamora IN 47030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 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); Duck Creek Aqueduct (approx. 0.9 miles away); Metamora Christian Church (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Whitewater Canal State Historic Site (approx. one mile away); Blacksmith Shop And Cottage (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Metamora.
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 108 times since then and 47 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.
