Texas in Henry County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

James Durbin

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, March 6, 2010

1. James Durbin Marker

Inscription. Sec. No. 53, W.&E.C.
Completed 1842
By
James Durbin

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wabash & Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 41° 25.412′ N, 83° 56.794′ W. Marker is in Texas, Ohio, in Henry County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 24 and County Route 4, on the left when traveling west on U.S. 24. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Liberty Center OH 43532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp

and in the Till Plains.

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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Texas Veterans Memorial

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(approx. half a mile away); Laskey Family Hickory Grove (approx. 1.7 miles away); Site of Rice Lock 42 (approx. 2 miles away); Lock 43 (approx. 2.4 miles away); Olive Branch Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); Ohio Department of Natural Resources 75th Anniversary (approx. 3.1 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 3.1 miles away); A Brief History of Hockman Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Texas.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Oak Tree (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. When the text of this historical states that Sec. No. 53 W.&E.C. completed 1842, it means that Section Number 53 of the Wabash & Erie Canal was completed in 1842 by James Durbin.

In a book written by Jack Gieck about Ohio's canal era, he states the following: "That at least one contractor took great pride in such structures is evidenced by the monument that James Durbin erected to himself above the site of this Bad Creek Culvert near Texas, Ohio."

In addition, the driving tour of Henry County adds the following insights, "Village of Texas, platted 1845 by James

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, March 6, 2010

2. James Durbin Marker

Durbin. Canal-era Homes & Businesses still standing. Sandstone Bad Creek Culvert (at Durbin Monument) allowed canal water (now US 24) to flow over creek."

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, March 6, 2010

3. James Durbin Marker

View of historical marker situated in a small clump of trees along the south side of US 24. Behind the marker is a view of Bad Creek which flows under what use to be the old canal, but what is today US 24.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, March 6, 2010

4. James Durbin Marker

View from Bad Creek of the historical marker situated in a clump of trees over the culvert built by James Durbin to enable the Wabash and Erie Canal to cross Bad Creek.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, March 6, 2010

5. James Durbin Marker

View from Bad Creek of the historical marker situated in a clump of trees over the canal culvert with modern day traffic crossing the culvert where canal boats use to travel.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,740 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 14, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.