The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
explored the Wabash and Erie Canal
July 23, 2010
(page 1 of 3)
clipart of a history book"The Wabash and Erie Canal was a shipping canal that linked the Great Lakes to the Ohio River via an artificial waterway. The canal provided traders with access from the Great Lakes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Over 460 miles long, it was the longest canal ever built in North America.

The canal was known as the Wabash & Erie in the 1850s and thereafter, was actually a combination of four canals: the Miami and Erie Canal from the Maumee River near Toledo, Ohio to Junction, Ohio, the original Wabash and Erie Canal from Junction, Ohio to Terre Haute, Indiana, the Cross Cut Canal from Terre Haute, Indiana to Worthington, Indiana (Point Commerce), and the Central Canal from Worthington to Evansville, Indiana." {http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabash_and_Erie_Canal}

Highlights of this area in Delphi include a historic 1850s village, an excellent interpretive museum, bike and paddleboat livery and concession booth, as well as access to the town of Delphi and an array of restaurants, an opera house in the midst of rejuvenation, art gallery and other attractions. A ¾ size replica canal boat moored at Canal Park offers canal rides on the weekends during the summer.
sign - Canal Park
sign about Canal Park
The Wabash and Erie Canal Interpretive Center is the only museum designed to tell the story of the Wabash & Erie Canal, and concentrates on the 44 year operational history of the Canal. The workers were all volunteers and very friendly and helpful. Admission was free. Donations welcome.
sign-The Wabash and Erie Canal Interpretive Center
The Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center
sign about the boat in the playground
Below: The Playground boat is similar to the freight boat used on the Erie Canal and described above.
The Playground boat
The Playground boat
Below: A model of "the Delphi" in the Canal Interpretive Center. The volunteer said the two RV Gypsies could take photos.
a model of "the Delphi"
sign in museum
Below: Pioneer Village
This site where Pioneer Village lays was owned by Reed Case, contractor for the Carroll County section of the Wabash & Erie Canal, and his business partner from Lafayette, James Spears. At one time, the site was home to two brick kilns, which were responsible for firing brick for many of the buildings in downtown Delphi. Reed Case's own Federal-style home anchors the village, complete with period furnishings, many of which came from the Case family
sign about a historical house
historical house
sign about Delphi and trails
sign about the Wabash & Erie Canal
sign showing the Pre-Canal Route of the Erie Canal
Below: A restored section of Wabash and Erie Canal. At 468 miles, this was once the longest canal in the northern hemisphere, and second longest in the world.
A restored section of Wabash & Erie Canal
A restored section of Wabash & Erie Canal
Karen Duquette by the Canal
flowers by the Erie Canal
Below: Part of one of the locks
that goes under the railroad tracks
Below: View of the Canal from beside the lock
part of one of the locks
View of the Canal from beside the lock
Below: Looking down into what remains of the lock
Below: View of the Canal from beside the lock
Looking down into what remains of the lock
View of the Canal from beside the lock
Below: The two RV Gypsies in a short tunnel that went under the railroad bridge to some hiking trails.
a short tunnel
The two RV Gypsies in a short tunnel
Below: Lee Duquette reading the map to decide where to go next
Lee reading the map
Below: Flowers in Canal Park
Beautiful flowers in Canal Park
Beautiful flowers in Canal Park
Below: Purple Coneflower and a BEE
Purple Coneflower and a BEE
Purple Coneflower
Beautiful flowers in Canal Park
flowers
Below: A Bee doing its thing
A Bee doing its thing
A Bee doing its thing
Below: Blazing Star
a flower
flower - Blazing Star
Don't stop now! There's lots more history and photos of the Wabash and Erie Canal

go to the next adventure of the two RV GypsiesPage 2 - Delphi Historic Trail, The 1873 Paint Creek Bridge - A stone arch and more on the Erie Canal