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| Landmark #49.1992.5 | Marion County | Visited: October 20, 2019 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque along Indianapolis’ Central Canal! |
| What makes it historical? | THE SIGN SAYS: Authorized by Indiana’s 1836 Internal Improvement Act, Central Canal conceived as link in transportation system connecting Wabash and Erie Canal with Ohio River. State’s bankruptcy in 1839 prevented completion of Central Canal. Canal has since provided hydraulic power, fresh water and recreation.
OTHER TIDBITS: Construction of this canal was part of a canal-digging craze inspired by the Erie Canal in New York! The plan was to dig a 296-mile canal from Peru, Indiana to Evansville, but then the price of cotton fell 25% in 1837, and President Jackson vetoed the rechartering of the Bank of the United States, setting off the Panic of 1837 that ultimately bankrupted the state of Indiana! With only eight miles of the canal completed, the state had to turn over the remaining land to its creditors, and the Central Canal became a decorative, rather than functional, water feature for the state. |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| How do I find it? | Listed Directions: At Central Canal, behind North State Office Building 100 N. Senate Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46204 Annotations: From Evansville: ~171mi (276km) — 2.9hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
