{"id":610,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:36","latitude":39.463554964290182169861509464681148529052734375,"longitude":-87.42061614990234375,"title":"Wabash River","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/3efe4100068a268f535f20a009ba2243.jpg","address":"Wabash River, along the Indiana/Illinois border","all_locations":[],"zoom":13,"creator":["Suzy Quick"],"description":"At 503 miles long, the Wabash River originates in Ohio and flows westward through Indiana. It travels south along the Illinois border, eventually meeting the Ohio River. The river’s natural flow made it the easiest way to travel for early settlers. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhen early French explorers embarked upon the Wabash Valley in the 17th Century, they named the prominent river “Ouabache,” easily pronounced “Wa-bash.&quot; It comes from the Miami-Illinois name for the river, waapaahšiiki, meaning “water over white stones.” At that time parts of a limestone riverbed could be seen through the pristine water.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhen the peaceful waters of the Wabash River suddenly rise, they pose a tremendous danger. In March of 1913 the Spring weather was unpredictable. Violent storms and more than typical rainfall led to elevated river levels. On the evening of Easter Sunday, a deadly tornado churned through Terre Haute neighborhoods and countryside. It left a path of destruction all the way to Greencastle.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFollowing the tornado, heavy rains continued and river waters rose even higher. Banks were flooding quickly and on March 25th a levee broke causing disastrous flooding throughout the Wabash Valley. Many residents of West Terre Haute and Terre Haute evacuated their homes. The entire settlement of Taylorville was under water within days. Many homes and lives were destroyed in what was known as the greatest disaster to strike the Midwest.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nLong before the first settlers moved to the Indiana Territory, the Wabash River supplied an abundant life source for many living things. Healthy soil and clean water made it possible for a multitude of species to live in this area. At one time, large numbers of Black Bears, Wolves, and Mountain Lions roamed these banks.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAs more surrounding land was developed, natural habitats were cut back and water quality became polluted by domestic and industrial runoff. Because of overhunting and loss of habitat, over time many of the local animals became extinct. By the 1940’s over-fishing and environmental destruction by industrial pollution reduced the number of species of fish to 97. Thanks to conservation efforts to protect the river, the Wabash is now home to 150 native species of fish and more than 120 endangered species of plants and animals. Bald eagles, catfish, beaver, and paddlefish are just a few examples of wildlife that have returned.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/3efe4100068a268f535f20a009ba2243.jpg":{"id":2960,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Durkee&#039;s Ferry","description":"Durkee’s Ferry, five miles north of Terre Haute, was one of the first ferries on the Wabash River. In 1818 John Durkee received a permit to maintain a flatboat large enough to hold a wagon with a team of four horses as well as a pirogue, a small boat for foot passengers.     | Vigo County Historical Museum","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/3efe4100068a268f535f20a009ba2243.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/4f7bf39678e35d41b0c5233b56a6e958.jpg":{"id":2961,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Steamboats","description":"The Wabash River made Terre Haute a popular destination for steamboats, with Terre Haute even being reported as the “Port of Terre Haute” in the Army Engineer Archives. Typically, the arrival of these large boats brought a crowd of people to watch them dock. Eventually, the development of other modes of transportation, such as railways, caused the downfall of steamboats on the river. | Vigo County Historical Museum | Circa 1870&#039;s","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/4f7bf39678e35d41b0c5233b56a6e958.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/f4de40697614f203204788f027316a7d.jpg":{"id":2962,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Alligators in the Wabash","description":"Although not native to this area, there have even been a few reported cases of alligator being caught in the Wabash River. Here, Raymond Wyrick of West Terre Haute shows off his catch. The story is told that one day while fishing, Wyrick pulled  the three alligators up from the Wabash River in a shipping crate near West Terre Haute. | Vigo County Historical Museum | March 19, 1939","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/f4de40697614f203204788f027316a7d.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/7661e65b7a8b333edf7bb7ceb87db3dd.jpg":{"id":2963,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"1913 Flood","description":"Flood waters swept across the Wabash Valley following an unexpected F-4 tornado on the evening of March 23, 1913. This photo from the archives of the History Center was taken from the west side of the Wabash River. These derailed train cars and demolished homes are a small representation of the widespread wreckage.  | Vigo County Historical Museum | 1913","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/7661e65b7a8b333edf7bb7ceb87db3dd.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/9d365150b586aa9b09801257219cbf9b.jpg":{"id":2964,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Fairbanks Park Pool","description":"Fairbanks Park, established in 1917, was developed from land donated to the city of Terre Haute in 1916 by Crawford and Edward Fairbanks in memory of their father and city Mayor Henry Fairbanks. The pool was constructed south of the Chauncey Rose Memorial in 1926 and continued to serve the people of Terre Haute until it was filled in and the current fountain was placed over the spot.  | Vigo County Historical Museum","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/9d365150b586aa9b09801257219cbf9b.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/88359940010fef4a29922129d04d5517.jpg":{"id":2965,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Pavilions at Fort Harrison","description":"Fort Harrison was commissioned in 1811 by General William Henry Harrison.  Captain Zachary Taylor was in command in September, 1812 when the siege of the fort took place.  The fort held, resulting in the first American land victory of the War of 1812.  The fort was thereafter known as the fort of two presidents, both Harrison and Taylor. These pavilions were constructed to serve as a scenic feature for incoming boats and sightseers.  | Vigo County Historical Museum | Circa 1960&#039;s","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/88359940010fef4a29922129d04d5517.jpg"}}}