Spy Run in Fort Wayne in Allen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Wabash & Erie Canal

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 30, 2008

1. The Wabash & Erie Canal Marker

Inscription. Anchoring the southern edge of the Headwaters Park “Thumb” until circa 1874, the Wabash & Erie Canal’s importance to transportation to the western part of the United States and to the growth of Fort Wayne was substantial. Headwaters Park is on the “Summit” or highest elevation of the canal project and dependent upon the waters of the St. Joseph River to function. Ground breaking for the canal was held on February 22, 1832. The grand opening was celebrated here, connecting Lake Erie with Lafayette, Indiana, on July 4, 1843. By 1853, the line connected with Evansville, Indiana, on the Ohio River. Its 468 miles established it as the longest canal in the western hemisphere and second longest in the world, behind the Grand Canal of China. By bridging the land portage between the Maumee River east of the park with the Wabash River at the Forks of the Wabash in Huntington, Indiana, to the west, the Wabash & Erie Canal made possible continuous water traffic between the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Gulf of Mexico. Because of improved transportation, markets developed encouraging both commerce and agriculture - and people followed

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in droves. Later, railroad competition reduced the effectiveness of the canal, and the old waterway route was filled in to be replaced with railroad tracks. Today, standing on what was once a four-feet deep canal under the railroad elevation, one can view the expanse of Headwaters Park.

Erected by City of Fort Wayne and Superior Essex.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wabash & Erie Canal series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1853.

Location. 41° 5.149′ N, 85° 8.285′ W. Marker is in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Allen County. It is in Spy Run. It can be reached from S Clinton Street. Marker is one of a series that ring the Great Meadow in Headwaters Park. This marker is just west of the Little Turtle sculpture. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 S Clinton Street, Fort Wayne IN 46802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 22, 2023

2. The Wabash & Erie Canal Marker

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Little Turtle (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Little Turtle (within shouting distance of this marker); Earliest Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Masonic Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Duck Creek: Early Industry and Business Development (within shouting distance of this marker); Miami Legend of the Sandhill Crane (within shouting distance of this marker); League Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Emerine Jane Holman Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Wayne.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Jail Flats (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Great Meadow in Headwaters Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 30, 2008

3. Great Meadow in Headwaters Park

Several markers along path circling the Great Meadow, looking south with downtown Fort Wayne in background.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 1, 2022

4. The Wabash & Erie Canal Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,076 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 21, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on May 3, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.