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Forks of the Wabash little known historic gem
By Rod King
What could Miami Indian royalty, German farmers, French traders, Irish construction workers and the U.S. government possibly have in common in the early 1800s? Surprisingly, they had quite a lot in common!
That’s the time when all those cultures collided and intertwined. The place was at the fork of the Wabash River where the Little River merges just west of what is now Huntington. The area has been a crossroads and stopping place for nomadic hunters and Native Americans for thousands of years.
Today, it’s the location of one of the state’s least known historical gems, and the only place where 500 years of cultural interaction is explained and dramatized. It’s the Historic Forks of the Wabash at the intersection of highways U.S. 24 and State Road 9. Chief Richardville’s grand home (he also had one in Fort Wayne) is on site as is the log cabin of German emigrants Joseph and Margaret Nuck who worked for the chief until they could earn enough money to purchase their own land nearby.
The time line begins when the Miami Indians come to the area in the late 1600s. The first French explorers and traders came in the 1760s, German farmers arrived in the early 1800s and the Irish workers, who came to construct the Erie Canal, came about the same time. In fact, the canal route goes right by the entrance to the Historic Forks visitor center. Then came more settlers, wars were waged and finally the Miami Indians were moved to Kansas in 1846.
The fork in the river was an extremely important portage that was controlled by the Miami Indians. In fact, tolls from the portage and money earned at the trading post on the other side of the Wabash River made Chief Jean Baptiste Richardville the wealthiest Indian in the country and one of the wealthiest individuals in the entire Indiana territory.
Four years ago Historic Forks of the Wabash constructed the present visitor’s center and began filling it with artifacts and educational information on the site. It’s chock full of historical data and memorabilia that covers five centuries and focuses primarily on the interaction between the groups of people who were part of its storied past. For instance, it’s not well known that white people were in the employ of Indians.
Historic Forks hosts thousands of school groups, mostly fourth graders studying Indiana history. Don’t just drop in expecting to see the site because you’re likely to find a closed sign on the door. However, you’re invited to call ahead and let the staff know how many will be in your party (small or large) and they’ll make sure costumed interpreters are on hand to give you a private tour for just $4 per person. Just call 260-356-1903.
In addition to the homes of the chief and the Nuck family, there is another log structure which is the school house. Roaring traffic going by on U.S. 24 is muted by thick woods. While wandering the 100 acres you might see deer, geese, beaver, ground hogs and possibly an eagle. You’ll also note that Historic Forks is a work in progress that will soon include a mile-long trail.
According to Lynn Brown, volunteer executive director, the goal is to enlarge the educational facility in order to provide visitors meaningful information about the site and the cultural history it represents.
Special events coming up are Heritage Days June 27 and 28 which includes visits to other historic sites in Huntington County, old fashioned Fourth of July on July 3 when members of the Nook family gather for a reunion and senior day August 18 when everyone will be admitted for $1. Check out Historic Forks of the Wabash on the Internet at www.historicforks.org.
To get there, drive east on Ind. 124 to Ind. 5. Head north to Huntington and U.S. 24 and go west. It’s located a couple hundred yards past the intersection of Ind. 9 on the left side of U.S. 24. You’ll be rewarded with an interesting and educational look back into Indiana history and the people who made it happen.