Near Columbia City in Whitley County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Site of First County Court and First Mill

Whitley County Historical Museum

1. Site of First County Court and First Mill Marker

Inscription.
This site, comprising 240 acres, was obtained from the government in 1836 by Richard Baughan. Here in 1841 he constructed the first flour and saw mill. Flour was of inferior quality and production was soon terminated. The saw mill was operated for several years. In 1838 he was first sheriff of the county. In his home was held the first court in 1839. Charles W. Ewing, President Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, presided. Associate judges were Benjamin F. Martin and Jacob Van Houten. Three minor civil cases were disposed of.

Erected 1965 by Whitley County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 41° 10.863′ N, 85° 27.354′ W. Marker is near Columbia City, Indiana, in Whitley County. It is at the intersection of East Cider Mill Road and Widman Road, on the left when traveling east on East Cider Mill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia City IN 46725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana

and in Greater Fort Wayne.

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, measured as the crow flies: Whitley County Korean War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Whitley County Viet Nam Memorial

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(approx. 1.7 miles away); Zion Lutheran Church Bell (approx. 2 miles away); Pastors Who Have Served Zion Lutheran Church (approx. 2 miles away); Dr. Lloyd C. Douglas (approx. 2 miles away); Old Settlers Monument (approx. 2.2 miles away); Adams-Pond Farm (approx. 2.3 miles away); "The Little Brick House" (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Seek's Village (was approx. 1.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 3, 2023

2. Site of First County Court and First Mill Marker

New Paint

Photographed by Duane Hall

3. Site of First County Court and First Mill Marker

View to east along E. Cider Mill Road

Whitley County Historical Museum image. Click for more information.

via Whitley County Historical Museum, unknown

4. Whitley County Historical Museum

Museum website homepage
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Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2013. This page has been viewed 986 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2013. 2. submitted on September 7, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 23, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.