Help bring back the feel of the 1850s in Carroll County by

Making a Reality

Delphi’s Canal Park and trails attractions have been carefully planned and now are underway.  We are initiating an opportunity for individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporate sponsors. This brings excitement in ways that the public has grown accustomed to experiencing ventures with interpretive displays and graphic panels depicting the canal era.

An example of interpretive opportunities are outlined in the plans for twenty-five sites where the Wabash & Erie Canal will put interpretive panels at special historic spots along Delphi Historic Trails and feature our three miles of real canal and towpath experiences.

National Register Historic Sites such as this Harley and Hubbard Lime Kiln site above will become much more of an interpretive experience with interactive exhibits and interpretive panels guiding the public in learning how this canal era industry operated.

Interpretive panels colorfully display historic information

This panel is just outside the Canal Center along the towpath

Already signage is completed at one of the planned sites. Carrollton Bridge (Area 10) received a recent grant from the Canal Society of Indiana.  Land was donated by descendents of the Grantham family and the site involves a very special "slackwater crossing" of the canal.  Your interests might want to develop other special areas illustrated by these drawings of Carrollton and the Papermill sites where last fall we placed the restored iron bridge known as the Stearns Truss (Blue Bridge).

The Canal volunteers have initiated construction of this special interpretive site in anticipation of donor support. This site depicts where the railroad intruded into the commerce of the canal. The old Wabash RR building was moved to the back of Canal Park.

Also nearly complete and available for sponsorship is the "playground boat" that has a permanently setting in the "basin" in front of the Canal Center.  This life-size item is already a popular attraction for kids of all ages.

Starting this September and taking us through the winter months the waterlevel will be lowered in the canal.  So watch in the next couple seasons as the arrival of a 54 foot long operational boat, an overwater warehouse and dock are produced.  Slated for public appreciation by next summer these items are the core of our major improvements.

If you would like more information on volunteering or leaving a family legacy by supporting one of the many outdoor exhibits, graphic panels or illusionary items contact us by return email, phone 765-412-4308 or by mail:

Wabash & Erie Canal Association, 1030 West Washington Street, Delphi, Indiana 46923