39-576: The Whitewater Canal , which was built between 1836 (188 years ago) ( 1836 ) and 1847 (177 years ago) ( 1847 ) , spanned a distance of 76 miles (122 km) and stretched from Lawrenceburg, Indiana on the Ohio River to Hagerstown, Indiana near the West Fork of the White River . As with most transportation improvements during the early nineteenth century, industry paved
78-692: A library card at the Aurora Public Library in Aurora . Cambridge City, Indiana Cambridge City is a town in Jackson Township , Wayne County , in the U.S. state of Indiana . The population was 1,870 at the 2010 census. Cambridge City was laid out and platted in 1836. The community was named after the city of Cambridge , in England . The Cambridge City post office has been in operation since 1835. Cambridge City experienced growth when
117-560: A long history with whiskey production, earning the city the nickname Whiskey City, U.S.A. MGP Indiana , formerly Seagram's, operates within Lawrenceburg, and distills various alcoholic spirits. Another industry located within Lawrenceburg is Anchor Glass Container (formerly Thatcher Glass). Lawrenceburg is also home to Perfect North Slopes , a ski area located off Route 1. It boasts hills for skiing, snowboarding, and snowing tubing. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg (formerly Argosy Casino)
156-506: A male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age in the town was 39.8 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
195-671: A serious problem for the rest of the canals active history. The White Water Valley Canal Company was granted a charter by the Indiana General Assembly of 1825–26. The company was set up after the State of Indiana could no longer afford to finish the Whitewater Canal system. The White Water Valley Canal Company finished the canal through Cambridge City, Indiana . It constructed the Canal House at Connersville in 1842. The building
234-470: A total area of 1.02 square miles (2.64 km ), of which 1.01 square miles (2.62 km ) (or 99.02%) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km ) (or 0.98%) is water. As of the census of 2010, there were 1,870 people, 785 households, and 514 families living in the town. The population density was 1,851.5 inhabitants per square mile (714.9/km ). There were 893 housing units at an average density of 884.2 per square mile (341.4/km ). The racial makeup of
273-549: Is found in Lawrenceburg, and is the closest Indiana riverboat casino to downtown Cincinnati. The Lawrenceburg School District consists of the Lawrenceburg Primary School, Central Elementary, Greendale Middle School, Lawrenceburg Highschool and St. Lawrence Catholic School. The city has a free lending library, the Lawrenceburg Public Library District . Lawrenceburg residents may also obtain
312-504: Is left of the Whitewater Canal today. Some towpath was bought by the Whitewater Valley Railroad Company and has been used in various train operations over the years. A section of the rail line is still in use as a tourist railroad. The Whitewater Valley Railroad operates between Connersville, Indiana and Metamora, Indiana . The remains of many of the canal locks on this section of the canal can still be seen as well as
351-590: Is located in the Ohio River Valley p and is situated on the banks of the Ohio River. Lawrenceburg is located on the west side of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio tri-state metro area. According to the 2010 census, Lawrenceburg has a total area of 5.21 square miles (13.49 km ), of which 4.94 square miles (12.79 km ) (or 94.82%) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.70 km ) (or 5.18%) is water. As of
390-518: The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 1992. Lawrenceburg, Indiana Lawrenceburg is a city and the county seat of Dearborn County, Indiana , United States. The population was 5,129 at the 2020 census . It is the largest city in Dearborn County. Lawrenceburg is in southeast Indiana, on the Ohio River west of Cincinnati . Founded in 1802, Lawrenceburg was named for
429-656: The Indiana State Legislature approved the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act , which allowed for the development of the Whitewater Canal and a host of other improvements throughout Indiana. The Whitewater Canal was built based on an 1834 survey conducted by Charles Hutchens. The design called for a canal seventy six miles long starting at Nettle Creek near Hagerstown and following the river valley through Connersville, Brookville and into Harrison, Ohio, then back into Indiana to finish at Lawrenceburg. In
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#1732852456306468-525: The Whitewater Canal was extended to that point in 1846. Situated along the historic National Road ( U.S. Route 40 ), Cambridge City is currently a prominent destination for antique seekers . The Cambridge City Historic District , Conklin-Montgomery House , and Lackey-Overbeck House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . According to the 2010 census, Cambridge City has
507-491: The census of 2010, there were 5,042 people, 2,057 households, and 1,142 families living in the city. The population density was 1,020.6 inhabitants per square mile (394.1/km ). There were 2,313 housing units at an average density of 468.2 per square mile (180.8/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White , 3.0% African American , 0.3% Native American , 0.8% Asian , 0.3% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of
546-566: The 76 miles (122 km) the canal dropped 491 feet (150 m). This a very ambitious route as it was quite steep and required the crossing of the Whitewater over an aqueduct at Laurel as well as several other streams of lesser size. The 491-foot (150 m) drop compares to the Erie Canal that dropped 500 feet (150 m) but did so in 300 miles (480 km). The Wabash & Erie Canal dropped 450 feet (140 m) in 460 miles (740 km) while
585-500: The Canal Era is recreated and tourists can stroll through a nineteenth-century town. There are museums, shopping, eateries, and you can even take a horse drawn ride on the canal. An aqueduct carries the canal over Duck Creek at Metamora. It is a twentieth-century reconstruction of the wooden aqueduct built in 1846 to replace an earlier one that was washed out by a flood, and was listed as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by
624-572: The Chesapeake & Ohio dropped 538 feet (164 m) in 184 miles (296 km). That meant that the Whitewater descended 6.4 feet per mile compared to the Chesapeake & Ohio at 2.9 feet per mile, the Erie at 1.7 feet per mile and the Wabash & Erie at 1 foot per mile. The steepness became a problem whenever heavy rains came. Because of the steep grade, the canal required 56 locks and seven dams. The canal
663-581: The annual Canal Days festival, which commemorates the importance of the Whitewater Canal to the formation and growth of Cambridge City in the 19th century. Cambridge City has two schools: an elementary school and a middle/high school that serve the surrounding areas. The town has a lending library, the Cambridge City Public Library. Just south of I-70 , Cambridge City is home to the Indiana Gateway Industrial Park which
702-403: The average family size was 2.85. In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males. The median income for a household in the town
741-404: The average family size was 2.94. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males. The median income for a household in the city
780-554: The canal operating into Connersville. The canal company was running out of money and borrowed from Henry Valette of Cincinnati to finish the canal into Cambridge City from Connersville. From Cambridge City to Hagerstown the Canal was built by the Hagerstown Canal Company and was finished in 1847. The Whitewater Canal was a short venture, but it left a lasting mark on the communities it traveled through. The canal development project
819-552: The city. The population density was 956.1 inhabitants per square mile (369.2/km ). There were 2,162 housing units at an average density of 441.2 per square mile (170.3/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.81% White . The two largest ethnic groups in Lawrenceburg and Lawrenceburg Township are 29% German Americans , and 19% Irish Americans , 4.18% African American , 0.15% Native American , 0.45% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.32% from other races , and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of
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#1732852456306858-552: The diversion dam near Laurel, Indiana that was rebuilt in the 1940s and provides water for the restored canal section in Metamora as well as the mill. The restored grain mill in Metamora which runs on water provided by the canal shows that transportation was not the only use of the canal. Hydro power was in use for many decades after the canal was closed as a transportation route and even was used to generate electricity in Connersville in
897-678: The early part of the 20th century. The most visible area of the Whitewater Canal that exists today is in Metamora. This section from the Laurel Feeder Dam to Brookville was listed on listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as the Whitewater Canal Historic District . The district encompasses 1 contributing building and 31 contributing structures. They include the Metamora Roller Mill, Laurel Feeder Dam, Duck Creek Aqueduct , and Millville Lock. Here
936-569: The maiden name of the wife of founder Samuel C. Vance. In the 19th century, Lawrenceburg became an important trading center for riverboats on the Ohio River. The Dearborn County Courthouse , Downtown Lawrenceburg Historic District , Hamline Chapel United Methodist Church , the Liberty Theatre, the Dunn Home, The Daniel S. Major House , and Vance-Tousey House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The City of Lawrenceburg
975-405: The population. There were 1,914 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and
1014-442: The population. There were 2,057 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.4% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.5% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
1053-407: The population. There were 904 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and
1092-478: The precedent for future canals and proved canals could provide a viable contribution to local economies. There was the need for a high-speed transportation system that could link the Whitewater Valley to the Ohio River. Before the canal, farmers had to transport their goods and livestock to Cincinnati, Ohio on badly rutted and often impassable roads. The journey to Cincinnati could take several days. In 1836
1131-541: The town was 48.8% male and 51.2% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,121 people, 904 households, and 602 families living in the town. The population density was 2,030.6 inhabitants per square mile (784.0/km ). There were 956 housing units at an average density of 915.3 per square mile (353.4/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 99.34% White , 0.33% African American , 0.09% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 0.14% from other races , and 0.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of
1170-418: The town was 98.5% White , 0.2% African American , 0.5% Native American , 0.3% Asian , 0.1% from other races , and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population. There were 785 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had
1209-611: The way within individual states. After successful canal development projects further east in the United States , it was not long until canals were dug across the Midwest . The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 paved the way for improvement projects across the United States and changed the course of American transportation history. The Erie Canal was an immediate financial success. This set
Whitewater Canal - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-535: Was $ 29,306, and the median income for a family was $ 37,978. Males had a median income of $ 31,543 versus $ 21,985 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,656. About 10.3% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 23.8% of those age 65 or over. Lawrenceburg was home to the Tanner's Creek Generating Station , now AEP (Tanner's Creek Generating Station has been demolished). Lawrenceburg has had
1287-426: Was $ 33,750, and the median income for a family was $ 41,731. Males had a median income of $ 35,602 versus $ 23,100 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 17,691. About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over. The town celebrates its history and heritage during the second weekend in each September during
1326-437: Was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age in the city was 35.5 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 4,685 people, 1,914 households, and 1,140 families living in
1365-434: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Hagerstown was supposed to be the northernmost terminus of the Whitewater Canal, but after the state went bankrupt, Hagerstown was forced to finance and construct its own canal to Cambridge City. The Hagerstown Canal Company completed an eight-mile (13 km) long canal between Hagerstown and Cambridge City in 1847. A connecting canal built to reach Cincinnati
1404-560: Was funded under the Act of 1836 and was allotted $ 1,400,000 to build the canal through the Whitewater Valley. This was a huge sum at the time and investors did not take out many loans due to the prediction that they stood to make considerable profit. It was the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act of 1836 that ended up straining the coffers of the State of Indiana. Indiana went bankrupt during the summer of 1839, and canal construction
1443-461: Was halted until 1842. In November 1847 the Whitewater Valley flooded and many sections of the canal were washed out. The section between Harrison and Lawrenceburg was never rebuilt. This effectively ended the canal era in Lawrenceburg after only eight years of service, and only a few months after the canal was finished to Hagerstown. It was ten months before the canal was again operational north of Harrison. Debt incurred to finance repairs in 1847 were
1482-489: Was known as the Cincinnati and Whitewater Canal. This canal was built by Ohio interests and went from Harrison to Cincinnati. It was completed in 1843 and replaced Lawrenceburg as the end of the line after the 1847 November flood. This stretch of canal closed in 1862 and was used as a railroad right-of-way at that time. A canal tunnel constructed to obviate a ridgeline at Cleves still exists, although badly silted up. Little
1521-705: Was started as a state project and ground was broken on September 13, 1836. The first boat arrived in Brookville from Lawrenceburg on June 8, 1839. Because of budget problems construction was suspended in August 1839 not to be resumed until 1842. In 1842, the state of Indiana transferred its ownership in the canal to the White Water Valley Canal Company which was required to complete the canal to Cambridge City in five years. By 1843 boats were arriving in Laurel. 1845 saw
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