(c. 1732-1795)
Home of the City of Indianapolis, Marion County was named in honor of Revolutionary War General Francis Marion. It was organized in 1821 when the state decided to move its capital to a more central location. The earliest residents spent much of their time hunting deer and bear, which were plentiful throughout the area. Hides and pelts were tanned and sold or traded, first at Indian posts and later at Indianapolis
Transportation has been a central theme in the county’s history. Indianapolis’ early hopes of becoming a large inland market center were dashed when the White River proved unnavigable and work on the CENTRAL CANAL halted after the state’s program of internal improvements went bankrupt in the late 1830s. Marion County residents relied on the NATIONAL ROAD and the MICHIGAN ROAD for shipping, and many made a living serving travelers as hotel and tavern keepers.
Google Maps
Mileage & Structures
1876 Historical Map
The following tabs correspond to articles written from past Canal Society of Indiana publications and the county you are viewing. Click on the link to read the associated article.
TUMBLE
PACKET
NEWSLETTER
WATERWAYS
TUMBLE
The Tumble
(2017 – Present)
The Tumble is the Canal Society of Indiana’s (CSI) current publication. The Tumble was the first publication of CSI to be completely internet based starting in 2017.
PACKET
The Hoosier Packet
(2002-2016)
The Hoosier Packet was the official Canal Society of Indiana’s publication from 2002 through 2016.
NEWSLETTER
The Newsletter
(1986-2002)
The Newsletter began being published in 1986 and was a companion publication of the Canal Society of Indiana’s (CSI) that ran concurrent with Indiana Canals publication. The Newsletter was initially printed with information about CSI. In the mid 990s Newsletter took on a new format and absorbed Indiana Canals into this one publication which became the primary publication of the Canal Society of Indiana until 2002.
Indiana Canals
(1989 – 2002)
Indiana Canals began being published in 1986 and was a companion publication of the Canal Society of Indiana’s (CSI) that ran concurrent with Newsletter publication. Indiana Canals was initially printed with information about the how the canals function, mechanical features of old and what was still remaining. In the mid 990s Indiana Canals publication was absorbed into the Newsletter which became the prime publication of the Canal Society of Indiana.
Volume III (1991/92)
Volume IV (1992/93)
Volume XI (2000)
WATERWAYS
Indiana Waterways
(1981 – 1986)
Indiana Waterways was the first publication of the Canal Society of Indiana. The first edition was published in 1981 several months before the establishment of the Canal Society of Indiana and became the source of information about the development of CSI and information to the members until the creation of Indiana Canals and the Newsletter in 1986.
Volume II (1982)
Volume III (1983)
- Central Canal Entrance from White River Pictorial
- Third Annual Tour of the Canal Society of Indiana
- Central Canal Feeder Dam at Broadripple Pictorial