Near Elnora in Daviess County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wabash and Erie Canal
Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009
1. Side A - - Wabash and Erie Canal Marker
A canal from Terre Haute to Evansville authorized 1846. Maysville Division along White River was over 23 miles long from Newberry through Owl Prairie (now Elnora) to Maysville; part of it paralleled what is now S.R. 57. Contracts were let June 1849. Construction was delayed by cholera outbreaks among workers, many of whom were Irish immigrants.
Navigation between Newberry and Maysville opened June 1852. By 1853, Wabash and Erie Canal, America's longest at approximately 460 miles, linked Lake Erie at Toledo, Ohio with Ohio River at Evansville. By 1860, most of southern section no longer used because of repair costs and railroad competition. Entire canal in Indiana sold at auction 1876.
Erected 2007 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Elmore Township Community Association, Inc. (Marker Number 14.2007.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the Wabash & Erie Canal series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1849.
Location. 38° 52.506′ N, 87° 5.434′ W. Marker is near Elnora, Indiana, in Daviess County. It is on State
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region and 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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Joe Dawson (approx. 5.8 miles away); Odon, Formerly Clarksburg (approx. 6.1 miles away); Odon Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.2 miles away); Evans Memorial Park (approx. 8.7 miles away); Homer E. Capehart / GOP Cornfield Conference (approx. 10.6 miles away); Richland-Plummer Creek Covered Bridge (approx. 11.6 miles away); Greene County (Indiana ) War Memorial (approx. 13.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 13.3 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. "The men who dug the Canal". A light and lively song with many old photos of canal builders in the process of digging a canal. (Submitted on October 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. "Angel of the Canal" ::. Many fell ill digging canals. In frontier days there were few doctors and medicine was scarce. In the Brecksville, Ohio area Mrs. Johnson became known as the "Angel of the Canal" for her care of the ill. (Submitted on October 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
3. Photos of Dedication (Courtesy - Indiana Historical Bureau):
Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009
2. Side B - - Wabash and Erie Canal Marker
In the background of the photo is Indiana highway number 58. ...
4. Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB). The IHB provides reference notes on the text of this marker. (Submitted on February 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009
3. Wide (Sunny) View - - Wabash and Erie Canal Marker
On the left in the photo is Indiana Highway number 57. . . .
Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009
4. Long View - - Wabash and Erie Canal Marker
Photo taken from Indiana highway 58 into marker location. The highway to the left in photo is Indiana 57.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,712 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
