Chapter 1: Wabash & Erie Canal

Section 3 - 1.1 - transportation by wagonsBefore canals, transporting by wagon was difficult and slow. River routes random and disconnected, and both were costly. Canals arose as a more effective means of moving people and goods, thereby allowing settlements and markets to expand and grow.

The Wabash and Erie Canal opened through New Haven in 1843, forging a path through the wilderness. It was the longest Canal in the Western Hemisphere, traveling a distance of 468 miles from Toledo, Ohio at Lake Erie to Evansville, Indiana.

Using today's landmarks, the Canal made its way through New Haven southwest from I-469 at the old U.S. 24, through downtown and behind the houses on the north side of Main Street. At High Street, it turned northwest, went through Moser Park, and on to downtown Fort Wayne.

Section 3 - 1.2 - Canal Landmarks

Of course, no man-made landmarks existed at the time; they arose because of the Canal which drew people and provided the means for economic vitality.

Descriptive photo of mules tilling the land on the Wabash and Erie Canal banksThe transport vehicle on the waterway was a canal boat, a long, low, narrow structure built for carrying passengers or freight. The boats were drawn by one to three horses or mules hitched to a long rope attached to the bow of the boat. They walked on a path, called the towpath, along the side of the canal and were driven by a man or boy who walked or rode.

photo showing a horse being taken off a canal boat for new load of supplies"Packet" boats spurred the growth of passenger travel across the region. They moved larger numbers of people more quickly, comfortably and at a lower cost than wagons. The boats had accommodations for eating and sleeping. After dinner in the main cabin, narrow beds were folded down like "hanging bookshelves".

The boats through New Haven made regular trips from Toledo to Lafayette, covering a distance of 242 miles in about 56 hours. They were pulled by one or two horses with fresh teams taken on every 15 to 20 miles. A pace of about 4-8 miles per hour was maintained.

Section 3 - 1.6 - freight boat on waterFreight boats often carried a few passengers at a lower fare than packets. These were usually migrating settlers who bedded down on deck and found their own food at towns and farms along the way. Mules were used to propel freight boats and they were usually carried on board. The freighters ambled along at about 2 miles per hour with a cargo up to 80 tons or more.

Tour New Haven - Canal Town 2.2The freight boats were key drivers of the growth that was experienced from the canal. They allowed consumer goods unseen before to be brought to the area from eastern markets. And they provided a means of getting bulk cargo such as grains, lumber, stone and barreled goods to distant markets.

Section 3 - 1.8 - canal beneficial for farmers and familiesThis was especially beneficial to farmers and their families, allowing them to move from the subsistence farming necessary to support their families to market-oriented agriculture.

Section 3 - 1.9 - grain boat on the canalAnd the increasing flow of consumer goods available to them in town freed up time spent on subsistence activities such as making their own food, clothing, soap and shoes to focus on increasing the productivity of their land.

When the Canal was in its prime, a grain boat passed through town on the average of one every 10 minutes during a busy season. Oftentimes wagons waited their turns to unload the products of their farms bound for distant markets.

However, after about ten years of operation, it became increasingly clear to towns along the way that the Canal couldn’t be maintained in an economically sustainable way.

Section 3 - 1.1 - Wabash and Erie Canal remainsIn the 1870s, a period of slow decline came for the Canal as towns along it began to shut down sections. In 1882, the section between Fort Wayne and New Haven was the last to be drained. [Photo: The remains of a Wabash and Erie Canal lock in Lagro, Indiana]

Many towns founded because of the Wabash and Erie Canal died with it. However, New Haven would never lose its busy air; what it lost from the decline of the Canal was more than restored by the railroads.

OF NOTE

Section 3 - Of Note - canal presence is heralded in New Haven today

Today’s most heralded vestige of the Canal’s presence in New Haven is the “Gronauer” Lock, named for its lock keeper, Joseph Gronauer. The lock was the second among 73 along the Canal’s 468-mile course from Toledo to Evansville. [Painting of lock by local artist: Ralph Lehrman]

Section 3 - Of Note - Gronauer Lock no 2

Gronauer Lock No. 2 gained prominence in 1991 when massive timbers were unearthed during the construction of the U.S. 24/I469 interchange. Over 700 timbers, originally harvested from local trees, were excavated from the only wooden Canal lock to be uncovered intact in the United States. [Photo: Gronauer Lock excavation]

Section 3 - Of Note - recovered canal timbers

A portion of the recovered timbers, recreated as a Canal bed, is now on permanent display at the Indiana State Museum. In addition, 10 timbers, cut in cross-sections, are mounted on a wall in the Park Foundation Pavilion in Promenade Park, Fort Wayne. [Photo: Portion of Gronauer Lock exhibit at Indiana State Museum]

Section 3 - Of Note - remaining timebers from 1991 buried in havenhurst park

The remaining timbers unearthed in 1991 are buried in Havenhurst Park for preservation from the elements while awaiting another use. On display there is a history board that describes the Gronauer Lock in the broader context of the Canal.