Near this location, there is a dam that ran the flour mill for the Markle area. Presently there is a nice park and log cabin. The dam is now behind a larger levee that cut off the section of the Wabash River where it is located.A generator which had been located in the river and help make electricity to run the rollers, is located in Markle Old Mill Park. The best view of the dam remnants is from the levee. Park at the end of Wilt St. and take the walking trail on the top of the levee for about ¼ mile. Or, park in the Old Mill Park and take the levee trail to the east. An early Markle log cabin, was discovered in 2016, saved from demolition, and moved to the park in 2017 where it is now on permanent display.
J. Edward Roush Lake (previously called Huntington Lake) is a flood control reservoir opened in 1967 that allows for boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boating. The surrounding park provides for terrestrial interactions with nature such as camping, hiking, hunting, picnicking and snowmobiling.
The Finkle/Salamonie Mill operated in Warren for over 180 years. Sometime between the 1830s and 1850 a mill was built on this site. It was in nearly continuous operation through floods and fires until July 2020.
Belleville was formed around 1834, located at around S Belleville Road and West 700 South. Once a scenic location with a prosperous saw mill, and later a grist mill, Belleville is no more. The four-story grist mill burned down in 1955, and though the dam remains, it is no longer in use. Indiana DNR recommends using caution around any low-head dams like this one as they can have tricky undercurrents that can trap individuals under water.In an article in 2005, it was stated that some logs from the original dam may remain as well as a fish ladder on the end of the dam. If you pull off to the road and look west (downstream), you should be able to see the rapids formed by the dam.Please do not go closer as you will be trespassing on private property.
Rustic River Outfitters provides canoe and kayak rental on the Salamonie River. It also provides a performance and event venue, wine bar with food. Trips are also available on the Wabash River by reservation. It is locally famous for its taco nights (watch for them on Facebook).
Pirates Cove Marina is a full service marina and boat rental business located on Salamonie Lake near the Interpretive Center. Most rental boats are pontoons, but fishing boats, kayaks and paddle boats are also available. Some boats are available at an hourly rate, others for a day rate or both.
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Please stay on the U.S. 24 bridge above Silver Creek. Much of what you can see is private property.The stone arch and broad straight & smooth grassland running east towards Huntington comprise a remnant of the Erie & Wabash canal. The arch was restored around 2012 by the property owner. It is all that remains of the towpath of over Silver Creek.Canal aqueducts can bend your mind a bit since they represent a water “road” going over a natural water way. They are also sometimes called water bridges.
The junction of the Wabash and Little rivers, 100 yards south, was the western terminus of the Maumee-Wabash long portage and, in 1835, of the first section of the Wabash and Erie Canal. During the 18th century French and English traders passed this way and, in 1778, Henry Hamilton brought 171 British troops and 350 Indians with 40 boats through the portage enroute to retake Fort Sackville at Vincennes. Three Miami villages were located here and Chiefs Richardville and LaFontaine once lived here. The Forks was the scene of many Indian councils and the Miami Treaties of 1834, 1838 and 1840.
The Huntington Landing started 120 feet west on Washington St. and continued to the lock at Cherry St.Jefferson Street was closed to motor traffic and transformed into a landscaped and lighted walkway by private financial contributors in 1969.
At the southeast corner of the intersection.Inscription: 1835-1873 The canal boat "Indiana" docked here on the evening of July 3, 1835, opening the Wabash and Erie Canal to traffic from Fort Wayne to Huntington. This was the first section of the canal opened in Indiana. John Burk, for whom the lock was named, was a member of the first Board of Commissioners of Huntington County.
Flint Creek Aqueduct was the fourth aqueduct built on the canal starting at Fort Wayne and moving southwest. It allowed Flint Creek to flow into Huntington city unhindered by the canal. The original aqueduct had a total length of 28 feet.We don't know how much of the current entrance to the underground is from the canal and how much is modifications made when Flint Creek was covered over in the late 1800s, but the construction of the arch and the materials on top of the arch are believed to be in the original style at least.
Sometimes spelled “Lake Claire.”A flooded stone quarry named for former Mayor Bangs that has a fitness park, picnic tables and fishing. It occasionally hosts motor boat and swimming races.
First lock west of summit level of Wabash and Erie Canal (connected Lake Erie with Ohio River in 1853). Known as Dickey Lock. Built as Lock 1, 1834-1835, of wood construction; renumbered Lock 4 as result of canal completion to Ohio line (1840). Remnant of arch culvert nearby. Canal important to founding of Roanoke.
Timber Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities either for the day or overnight when staying at their campgrounds. Swimming, hiking, zip lining, fishing, and boating are among the usual activities. There is a charge for all activities, but some fees are reduced or eliminated for overnight guests.
The Lady Washington was a sternwheeler (type of boat with the paddle wheel in the back) that took passengers up and down the Little River. It would moor at Riverside Park.
Between 1900 and 1977, this bridge was home to several buildings. Prior to the bridge, Native Americans and early settlers forded Little River from Charles Street diagonally across just below the Island to the Court House. A dugout canoe, when hailed, carried pedestrians across for 50 cents. The first truss bridge over the Little River was built here at the ford in 1843. A steel twin bridge was built in 1891 and around 1900, A.J. Johnson erected two-story buildings beside the south span of the bridge. Shops, offices, and dwellings were housed here until the structures were condemned. The Southside Businessmen's Association spruced up the fronts, and the Art Guild donated colorful murals to cover 18 upper windows. Following years of controversy, the buildings were razed in 1977 by order of the state.
The Huntington City-Township Public Library (HCTPL) serves the people of both the city and township of Huntington as well as the town of Markle. Teachers and students in the county schools, another primary/secondary school with a presence in the service area, or Huntington University are also eligible for library cards. It has a large room dedicated as the B. Joan Keefer Genealogy and Local History Center in the main branch, and a small History Room in the Markle branch.
This Tour is a Driving or Biking Tour.
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Huntington County has an abundance of natural and man-made waterways and spaces. Canals, creeks, rivers, lakes, and dams have all played an important roll in Huntington's history. Explore some of the more interesting and/or existing places with this driving tour.
