Wabash and Erie Canal in Delphi

This week’s ramble is a revisit to the Wabash and Erie Canal as seen through the parks, exhibits and trails surrounding Delphi, Indiana under the auspices of the Wabash Erie Canal Association of Carroll County.

According to my writing records, our last visit to the canal park had been in 1998.  I was more than a little shocked at how much things had changed in that relatively short time.

I first discovered Canal Park while returning from a fishing trip from the Tippecanoe River.  Looking for adventure, I began poking around Delphi due to my serious history addiction.  Delphi was major stop on the Wabash and Erie Canal and while wandering around the area looking for musty old historical junk, I stumbled onto the park.

The Erie Canal was the equivalent of the space program to our infant country back in the 1830’s when it was first conceived.  By digging a ditch from Toledo, Ohio on Lake Erie to Evansville, Indiana on the Ohio River, an important trade and passenger route from the eastern seaboard to the Mississippi river was gained

The 468-mile long canal, longest in the country and second longest in the northern hemisphere, was eventually built during the middle 1800’s.  During its heyday, it was responsible for much of the early settlement of northern Indiana and the near-bankruptcy of the young Hoosier state.  The canal was eventually killed by the coming of railroads.

The canal under historic bridge

The canal is enjoying resurgence as local communities begin to appreciate the history and tourism value of the old ditch.  Delphi has been a leader in this area and the Canal Association, along with the entire community, could serve as a role model for small towns that turn ancient history into current events, recreational opportunities and tourism dollars.

Since the 1970’s, the Canal Association has spearheaded the effort to turn what was a muddy slough into a vital piece of living history.  Using donated land, the canal was cleaned and re-dug by volunteers to its specified forty feet wide by four feet deep.  At the north end, the “Tumble” pipes in three million gallons per day of crystal clear, icy water from the nearby limestone quarry.  Bluish and clearer than the water in a swimming pool, fish and abundant weeds are easily seen by hikers moving along the towpath that parallels the canal.

Clear spring water fills the canal

The restored section of the canal is now nearly a mile long and sports several improvements.  More importantly, and surprisingly to this long-lost visitor, was the appearance of a modern 12,000-square foot interpretive and conference center in what had been a weedy lot.

Built to resemble an 1850’s canal port, the center opened in 2003.  The interpretive center portion of the building is open year-round on Saturday from 10-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m.  During the summer, it is also open from 1-4 p.m. on Fridays.  There is no admission charge.

W&E Canal Center

Due to the efforts of volunteers, the Delphi area is now webbed with 10 miles of well-maintained trails.  Though many of the trails run through town, there are several that move into the countryside and offer semi-solitude, especially for those who visit during the week.

The first stop for visitors should be Canal Park and the interpretive center on North Washington Street.  Even if the building is not open, the area is picturesque and worth a few minutes of leg stretching and history contemplation.

From there, you would be advised to travel just south of U.S. 421 on State Road 25 to the Trailhead Park parking area.  With ample parking, this area allows you to explore the canal, Deer Creek and the Wabash River.

Suspension bridge

One feature of Trailhead Park is the suspension bridge over Deer Creek.  This is the fourth bridge at the site, the most recent dating from 2003 when devastating floods carried away the bridge and several neighborhoods in Delphi.

Once across the creek, you can turn left and travel along deer creek to the junction where all three waterways meet.  From there, you can travel along the canal back into Delphi.  Turning right from the bridge takes you a short distance to picturesque Deer Creek Falls and the old Interurban rail line trail that can also be hiked back into Delphi.

Deer Creek Falls

Another hike we discovered after leaving town is the hike to the old “High Bridge” over Deer Creek along the abandoned Monon Railroad.  According to the online trail map at http://www.wabashanderiecanal.org, there is parking for this trail along County Road 300 North.  Looking at pictures of the bridge on the website, that area will be our next family hike destination.

This overview has only skimmed the cream off the top off the Wabash and Erie Canal in Delphi.  As the weather begins to turn hospitable, we urge you to load the family into the car and take trip back to 1850.

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