Deer Creek Township near Delphi in Carroll County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Deer Creek Valley Rural Historic District

Settled 1825

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 15, 2024

1. Deer Creek Valley Rural Historic District Marker

Inscription. Has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior
Listed December 19, 2002

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 40° 35.554′ N, 86° 38.812′ W. Marker is near Delphi, Indiana, in Carroll County. It is in Deer Creek Township. It is on West 300 North 0.6 miles west of North 575 West, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6405 W 300 N, Delphi IN 46923, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern 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 2 miles of this marker,

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measured as the crow flies: Site of Cabin Home Gen. Samuel Milroy (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wilson Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Foreman-Case House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fred Niewerth Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Young Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); “The Brick” (approx. 1½ miles away); Delphi City Hall (approx. 1½ miles away); Civil War Memorial - Carroll County Indiana (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delphi.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Samuel Milroy (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Deer Creek Valley Rural Historic District. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:

The Deer Creek Valley rural historic district is important because it exhibits a nineteenth-century agricultural landscape of substantial integrity as well as the characteristics of a community of families over a long period of time. …

The Deer Creek Valley rural historic district contains forty-four contributing buildings, including agricultural outbuildings and homes, as well as twelve contributing structures associated with the historic area. … Indiana
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 15, 2024

2. Deer Creek Valley Rural Historic District Marker
Poet James Whitcomb Riley had a cabin nearby and took inspiration from this area when he wrote “On the Banks O’Deer Creek” and “From Delphi to Camden.” …

Deer Creek Valley rural historic district contains some of the earliest settled property in Carroll County. For example, the McCain property was settled prior to the formation of the county. … Several cemeteries in the district date to the first years of settlement. For the most part, the land within the boundaries of the district is, and has been, in agricultural use during the period of significance. The association with James Whitcomb Riley occurred between the 1880s and early 1900s.

Also see . . . Deer Creek Valley Rural Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which encompasses 770 acres. (Prepared by Carolyn Schleif, Nightingale Designs Inc.; via Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database) (Submitted on July 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Mears Family Farmstead barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 15, 2024

3. Mears Family Farmstead barn

This Sweitzer bank barn was built circa 1880. It features a pair of gabled cupolas and a rubble stone foundation and lower wall.

Wilson Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 15, 2024

4. Wilson Bridge

The bridge, built in 1875, is a landmark in the district and is listed separately on the National Register.

Mears Farmhouse and Springhouse image. Click for full size.

Nyttend via Wikimedia Commons (public domain), June 4, 2011

5. Mears Farmhouse and Springhouse

The 1852 Greek Revival farmhouse and pre-1880 springhouse are on the original farmstead of Daniel McCain. He, along with three brothers and a cousin, settled in the area in 1826. The poet James Whitcomb Riley, who had a cabin nearby, often stopped near the springhouse to water his horses in the late 19th century.

Portion of Delphi Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Nyttend via Wikimedia Commons (public domain), June 4, 2011

6. Portion of Delphi Cemetery

Also known as Morning Heights Cemetery, it was established c. 1840 as the Milroy family cemetery. Several early settlers of the area are buried here, most notably Gen. Samuel H. Milroy. He was a delegate to the 1816 Indiana Constitutional Convention, a member and speaker of the state House of Representatives, and influential in the creation of Carroll County and Delphi. Also buried here are several members of the Mears family, which has farmed the area since 1864.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 521 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.