Purdue University Landscape Architecture Students' Study
Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Wednesday May 6, 2009 - Delphi, Ind. A presentation was made at the Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretative Center as a final project of the Landscape Architecture students to assist the Wabash Heritage Corridor Commission in fulfilling the vision of a towpath trail extending over and celebrating the history of the Wabash & Erie Canal.
In the report the students noted, "Recognizing the success that has been seen in Delphi, where a trail and other features observe the canal's history have already been implemented, we would like to assist in jumpstarting similar projects across the state and help communities recognize the benefits of supporting the Wabash and Erie Canal towpath trail."
The original canal stretched 468 miles from Lake Erie to the Ohio River at Evansville in southern Indiana. The canal's life may have been short lived but the waterway was still very influential in shaping Indiana history and became an important part of U.S. trade and shipping routes. The students reported that "much of the canal and its history has been lost or depleted over the years, but we are hoping to bring back some of that history by promoting an interactive trail which would span the state."
A visual presentation covered the Benefits of Trails, History, Existing Conditions, Map & Alternate Bike Route, Typical Trail, Aqueduct No. 5 Trailhead Design in Logansport, Streetscape Design, Burnett's Creek Arch Design, Conceptual Design Ideas, Funding Opportunities. A copy of the report will be posted on this site when it becomes formatted and available.
Tom Castaldi
Friday, May 22, 2009
Historic Wabash and Erie Canal Map at FW History Center
Fort Wayne History Center Receives Donation of Historic Wabash and Erie Canal Map
The Canal Society of Indiana recently donated a rare blueprint-map of the Wabash and Erie Canal to the Fort Wayne History Center’s collection.
Todd Maxell Pelfrey, executive director of the History Center, stated, “We are delighted to receive such rare glimpse of history from one of the most adventurous and optimistic chapters of Fort Wayne’s past, that of the Wabash and Erie Canal. For many generations the canal has intrigued our community and this artifact provides singularly precise information about its route through the city. We look forward to sharing this impressive map with the public through a future expansion of our permanent exhibition galleries.”
Tom Fortman of Larwill, Ind. first found the 37-foot long canal blueprint-map hidden away in an old cabinet given to him when he worked for Norfolk and Western Railroad many years ago. He later gave the map to the CSI, who is now donating it to the History Center. Tom and his wife Kay joined the CSI in presenting the blueprint-map to the History Center on May 5.
The map shows the Canal running through Fort Wayne and is significant because it provides details of Moots Lock number three of the Wabash and Erie Canal. CSI previously did not know the exact location of the lock, but guessed it to be buried under the railroad tracks near Glasgow Avenue. The blueprint-map shows that the lock is actually buried under the tracks almost a block east of Glasgow Avenue near the end of Grant Street and Deister Machine Company, Inc.
This donation supplements the History Center’s Wabash and Erie Canal map collection, which includes “an original drawing, eight-foot long, of the route from New Haven to Fort Wayne and details of owners along the route,” according to Walter Font, History Center curator.
For more information, contact the History Center at (260) 426-2882.
The Canal Society of Indiana recently donated a rare blueprint-map of the Wabash and Erie Canal to the Fort Wayne History Center’s collection.
Todd Maxell Pelfrey, executive director of the History Center, stated, “We are delighted to receive such rare glimpse of history from one of the most adventurous and optimistic chapters of Fort Wayne’s past, that of the Wabash and Erie Canal. For many generations the canal has intrigued our community and this artifact provides singularly precise information about its route through the city. We look forward to sharing this impressive map with the public through a future expansion of our permanent exhibition galleries.”
Tom Fortman of Larwill, Ind. first found the 37-foot long canal blueprint-map hidden away in an old cabinet given to him when he worked for Norfolk and Western Railroad many years ago. He later gave the map to the CSI, who is now donating it to the History Center. Tom and his wife Kay joined the CSI in presenting the blueprint-map to the History Center on May 5.
The map shows the Canal running through Fort Wayne and is significant because it provides details of Moots Lock number three of the Wabash and Erie Canal. CSI previously did not know the exact location of the lock, but guessed it to be buried under the railroad tracks near Glasgow Avenue. The blueprint-map shows that the lock is actually buried under the tracks almost a block east of Glasgow Avenue near the end of Grant Street and Deister Machine Company, Inc.
This donation supplements the History Center’s Wabash and Erie Canal map collection, which includes “an original drawing, eight-foot long, of the route from New Haven to Fort Wayne and details of owners along the route,” according to Walter Font, History Center curator.
For more information, contact the History Center at (260) 426-2882.
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