DELPHI — A sample of the past and a glimpse into the future — that’s what the Wabash and Erie Canal Association offered to more than 100 people in its annual day after Christmas hike on Wednesday.

This was the 15th year for the event, which drew its largest crowd to date for an afternoon of guided tours on the Delphi Historic Trails system. Trails chairman Dan McCain led the crowd along the Monon High Bridge Trail and into the Deer Creek Valley. McCain said he was pleased with the turnout for the event and attributed it both to the favorable weather and to people’s interest in the trail system.

“When we have a day like today, it’s great to get this many people out,” said McCain. “I think people are really interested in this. I think we’re bringing people to the realization of what’s happening with INDOT and the Hoosier Heartland Corridor. We have some treasures here that maybe some people had experienced before but these people have experienced now.”

With sunny skies, a light breeze and temperatures in the mid 40s, a trolley shuttled groups from the Canal Center on North Washington Street to the trail head on 300 North.

Throughout the tour, McCain offered history about the area from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The hike started at Robinsons Run, also known as Gut Crick because of the slaughterhouse that was formerly located up stream and helped to make Delphi the second leading hog slaughter town in the state for a long time.

The trail follows a rail trail to old Camden Road and over to the Monon High Bridge, a decommissioned railroad bridge currently owned by CSX. The bridge, which is now just loosely fitted railroad ties, is the second-highest in Indiana at 63 feet high and is also 853 feet long.

Few had the courage to venture out onto the bridge, but those that did could gaze out into the valley at the swift-rushing Deer Creek below.

“It’s intriguing,” said Jerry Sparks, who came from Camden with his wife and daughter for the hike. “I’ve heard about the bridge but I’ve never seen it before.”

Though the bridge and the portion of route that connects it to the trail is not part of the Delphi Historic Trails system, McCain said the association hopes to acquire it to add to the system and to preserve the bridge.

“It’s important to the structure because it won’t last in its present state,” said McCain, adding that volunteers at the center are hoping to one day add decking and hand rails to make the structure safe and user friendly.

In addition to the picturesque natural views from the bridge and the trails, hikers can see portions of early farm settlements, known as the Deer Creek Rural Historic District. Some of the historic structures are still standing and easily visible from the trail while others are merely remains.

One of the early settlers to the area was Samuel Milroy, who came from Pennsylvania in 1827 and eventually petitioned the legislature to create Carroll County. Hikers can view the monument erected in his honor at the trail head.

Many of the people who participated in Wednesday’s hike said they enjoyed learning about the history of the area.

“We decided that since it was going to be a nice day, we’d come out and hike the trails because we really get into the county history,” said Karen Sparks.

But the hike offered more than just history lessons. McCain, who along with the canal committee has been working with INDOT on proposals for the Hoosier Heartland Corridor, pointed out areas on the trail where visitors will one day see spans of the new highway.

The scenic valley at the head of the trail will eventually be raised 30 feet with fill for the road, according to INDOT’s current proposal. When the road comes through, it will sever the trail north of Deer Creek, which will block portions of the trail and make certain features, including a waterfall, slate bluff and an old pioneer trail, inaccessible.

“There are some things on the south side that are very precious,” said McCain. “They could be in a nature preserve, but who could enjoy that? And I’m not just talking about vehicular access, it would be totally landlocked. We need to make sure we have access somehow, because otherwise, there will be about 100 beautiful acres that nobody can access.”

The committee has made several proposals to INDOT that have been turned down, including running the highway over the trail on a bridge or running the trail under the highway with a tunnel.

McCain said the committee is currently exploring the option of a cloverleaf design for the Delphi exit, which will require lowering certain streets in town but will allow continued access to the historical points on the south of Delphi.

Public support is crucial, McCain said, and he encouraged the hikers to fill out questionnaires and voice their opinions about the Hoosier Heartland Corridor and how it will affect the historic and natural value of the Deer Creek Valley.

“Our real purpose was to get the public to come and observe with us what we think are critical issues yet to be dealt with by INDOT,” said McCain. “We want them to tell us what they think — if they think this is important or not. Then if we’ve got lots of people that feel this way, our committee can approach INDOT and let them know we think this is important.”

Trail hikes

The Wabash and Erie Canal Association offers guided hikes along the Delphi Historic Trails twice a year, including one in the spring. For more information about the hikes or the trails in general, call (765) 564-2870.



Carla Knapp can be contacted at (574) 732-5150 or via e-mail at carla.knapp@pharostribune.com