Near La Fontaine in Grant County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Miami Indian Cemetery
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
1. Miami Indian Cemetery Marker
The largest Indian cemetery in Indiana. Few graves are marked. The Indians buried here are largely descendants of Chief Metocinya and include Meshingomesia and his family. The first burial was probably in 1873. Burial was contrary to Indian tradition and reflects Christian influence.
An Indian Baptist Church and an Indian school were located here. Otto Winger taught at the school 1895-1898. This land is part of the last Indian reservation in Indiana. The site of the battle of Mississinewa (1812) may be seen along the Mississinewa River to the southwest.
Erected 1972 by Society of Indiana Pioneers. (Marker Number 27.1972.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 40° 38.4′ N, 85° 43.828′ W. Marker is near La Fontaine, Indiana, in Grant County. It is on County Road 600 N 1.1 miles west of State Road 15. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3750 County Rd 600 N, La Fontaine IN 46940, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central 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 3 miles of this marker
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Mississinewa (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Meshingomesia Cemetery and Indian School Historic District. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Submitted on April 28, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Memory of visiting Indian Village
My great-grandfather, Ivan Loer, was born and raised in this area. Later in life, he wrote his memories for his grandchildren. This is what he shared about the Miami Indian Cemetery:
The chief of the Indians was Machingelmacy, and I visited this grave in the Indian Village churchyard many times. The earth had all sunken in, as had the things theyburied, like food, bows and arrows, and prized possessions. These had all rotted away. Someone asked one of the Indians why they buried the food with the body in the grave, as everyone knew he was dead and couldnt eat. The Indian said, Does any of the white men ever come up out of the grave to smell the flowers you put on it?Photographed by Duane Hall, March 8, 20112. Miami Indian Cemetery Marker
on County Road 600N
— Submitted July 14, 2025, by Katherine Newman of Roseburg, Oregon.
Photographed by Duane Hall, March 8, 2011
3. Miami Indian Cemetery Marker
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
4. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
5. Looking toward the school house and cemetery from the roadside marker.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
6. Name and date on the Indian school house still on the site.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
7. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemtery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
8. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
9. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
10. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
11. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
12. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
13. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
14. Markers in the Miami Indian Cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
15. Back of the school house, as seen from the cemetery.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
16. Side of the school house.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
17. Front of the Indian school house.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
18. This sign directing us to the historical marker is at the corner of 600 N.
Photographed by Duane Hall, March 8, 2011
19. 2009 Cemetery Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. This page has been viewed 5,569 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on July 2, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. submitted on July 2, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. 19. submitted on November 19, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
