Wabash and Erie Canals collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S1495
Scope and Contents
This collection includes texts from Noah Noble, D. Burr, James Whitcomb, John Henderson, and Dr. William N. Reser in Indiana ranging from 1835 to 1941 regarding the Wabash and Erie Canal, its workers, sale, and boats.
There is also a map of Wabash and Erie canals created around 1936 (OBC114).
There is also a map of Wabash and Erie canals created around 1936 (OBC114).
Dates
- 1835-1941
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
In March 1827, Congress provided a land grant to the state of Indiana to provide the means to build the Wabash and Erie Canal. Work began at Fort Wayne in 1832 and by 1835 was completed to Largo, Indiana. The original plan was to go as far as Lafayette and then terminate. In 1836 pressure from area businessmen, including Calvin Fletcher, led to the passing of the Mammoth Internal Improvements Act, this extended the Wabash and Erie Canal to Terre Haute. Construction reached Logansport in 1838, Lafayette in 1841, and Terre Haute in 1849. Segments also extended eastward towards Ohio, and the canal opened in Toledo in 1843. The final steps connected the Terre Haute section with the twenty-mile stretch of canal leading from Evansville (the Evansville section had been completed by 1839). This connection to Evansville was completed by 1853 by way of the abandoned Crosscut canal works and the old proposed Central Canal Route. The full route of the Wabash and Erie Canal measured 468 miles long, making it the second longest canal in the world.
Economically, the canal was not a success. The Panic of 1837 caused a depression in 1839 that led to workers' strikes and statewide debt. Expensive canal projects began to slow or die and public sentiment began to turn away from them. In 1846 Charles Butler, representing the canal bondholders, proposed that the state turn responsibility of the canal over to the bondholders in exchange for bondholders assuming half the debt and the land granted for construction. Butler also proposed that the state issue new bonds at 4 percent yearly interest for the other half of the debt, with an option for the state to redeem the certificates at its discretion. This ended state control of the canal and put the Wabash and Erie Canal in the hands of private trustees by 1847.
The most successful years for the canal were between 1847–1856. Its peak year was 1852 when tolls reached $193,400. Eventually, cheaper, faster, and more convenient trains made the canal obsolete. Portions south of Terre Haute were closed by 1860; the decline continued until 1876 when the canal was officially auctioned off by the trustees and closed.
Sources:
Schmidt, Carolyn I. Wabash and Erie Canal: Canal Society of Indiana, March 27–29, 1998. Vincennes, IN: The Final Link. Fort Wayne, IN: Canal Society of Indiana, 1998.
Schmidt, Robert and Carolyn. Canal Society of Indiana (website). www.indcanal.org
Economically, the canal was not a success. The Panic of 1837 caused a depression in 1839 that led to workers' strikes and statewide debt. Expensive canal projects began to slow or die and public sentiment began to turn away from them. In 1846 Charles Butler, representing the canal bondholders, proposed that the state turn responsibility of the canal over to the bondholders in exchange for bondholders assuming half the debt and the land granted for construction. Butler also proposed that the state issue new bonds at 4 percent yearly interest for the other half of the debt, with an option for the state to redeem the certificates at its discretion. This ended state control of the canal and put the Wabash and Erie Canal in the hands of private trustees by 1847.
The most successful years for the canal were between 1847–1856. Its peak year was 1852 when tolls reached $193,400. Eventually, cheaper, faster, and more convenient trains made the canal obsolete. Portions south of Terre Haute were closed by 1860; the decline continued until 1876 when the canal was officially auctioned off by the trustees and closed.
Sources:
Schmidt, Carolyn I. Wabash and Erie Canal: Canal Society of Indiana, March 27–29, 1998. Vincennes, IN: The Final Link. Fort Wayne, IN: Canal Society of Indiana, 1998.
Schmidt, Robert and Carolyn. Canal Society of Indiana (website). www.indcanal.org
Extent
0.07 Cubic Feet (1 folder, 1 large oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 1998/07 by Philip Williams. EAD finding aid revised 2013/09/10 by Edythe Huffman. EAD finding aid revised 2021/10/25 by Lauren Patton.
- Title
- Wabash and Erie Canals collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
