Vincennes in Knox County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Wabash River
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Shane Oliver, June 19, 2021
1. The Wabash River Marker
Although the Wabash River begins in Ohio, its 475-mile length in Indiana makes it a thoroughly Indiana river. The Miami Indian tribes named it Wah-Bah Shik-Ki which roughly translates as "pure white" and comes from the white limestone riverbed as seen through the clear waters in northern Indiana. The French fur traders corrupted the Indian word to "Ouabache" and then the English speaking settlers anglicized the French word by spelling it "Wabash." From where it crosses the Ohio-Indiana border and flows west and south to its confluence with the Ohio River, the Wabash drains 2/3 of Indiana's 92 counties. Its 411-mile unfettered length from the Huntington dam to where it joins the Ohio River makes it the longest free flowing river east of the Mississippi River.
Over the years, the river has been one of the major trade routes for transportation of furs, raw materials, and retail goods from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. During its early years, the Wabash was a major North/South route for the movement of people and livestock.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 38° 40.761′ N, 87° 32.166′ W. Marker is in Vincennes, Indiana, in Knox County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South 2nd Street and Barnett Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located near the George Rogers Clark memorial, on the grounds of George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 S 2nd St, Vincennes IN 47591, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Francis Vigo (within shouting distance of this marker); The George Rogers Clark Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Fort Sackville (within shouting distance of this marker); Constructing a Legacy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Inside the Memorial (about 300 feet away); Fort Sackville (about 400 feet away); St. Rose Chapel (about 500 feet away); The Old Cathedral “French and Indian” Cemetery (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vincennes.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, June 19, 2021
2. The Wabash River Marker
The Wabash River can be seen behind the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
