Huntington County: Lakes, Nature and History

Huntington County combines expansive waterside landscapes with a multifaceted history. Between Salamonie Lake, river forest and the historic Forks of the Wabash, you will find a variety of opportunities for active days, nature observation and cultural discoveries. This combination helps you choose a vacation rental or vacation home based on the experiences that are to shape your trip.

Hiking, Cycling and Nature by the Water

The Bloodroot Trail runs along Salamonie Lake. The hiking and cycling trail is 13 miles long and has a moderate difficulty level. A shorter alternative is the 5.5-mile Kin-Ti-On-Ki Bike Trail, which is intended for beginners. This allows you to choose between a longer route and an option for beginners when planning your day, without making all your outings the same.

Salamonie River State Forest was established as a demonstration river forest to reclaim eroded areas. A winding trail leads through several ravines and provides views at several points of the Salamonie River, rocky ravines and waterfalls. The J.E. Roush Lake Fish & Wildlife Area covers 7,347 acres of land, 900 acres of lake and 350 acres of reservoir. It offers opportunities for wildlife observation year-round; in spring, the area is particularly suitable for observing waterfowl.

For travel planning involving different interests, these nature experiences can be given different weight: a longer day of hiking and cycling, a shorter bike ride, a trail through ravines or wildlife observation each creates a different focus.

History at the Forks of the Wabash

At the Huntington County History and Education Center, you can explore the county’s history from prehistory and the era of the Miami and French voyageurs through the canal era and pioneer settlement to the present day. Historic Forks of the Wabash honors the settlement of the Miami, trade, the work of lumberjacks, and the craftsmen and laborers involved in canal construction. The development of communities in the Wabash Valley is also part of this historical narrative.

Three Miami villages once stood at the Forks of the Wabash. Chiefs Richardville and LaFontaine lived there; Jean Baptiste Richardville, also known as Pe-she-wah, was born in 1761 and died in 1841. The Forks were the western end of the Maumee-Wabash portage and, in 1835, the western end of the first section of the Wabash and Erie Canal. Wabash & Erie Canal Lock 4 was the first lock west of the canal’s summit level and was known as Dickey Lock.

Additional historical landmarks add depth to the picture: Huntington Landing ran 120 feet west along Washington Street and extended to the lock at Cherry Street. The first covered bridge over the Little River was built at the historic ford and removed in December 1843. Drover Town was the first settlement expansion south of the Little River and was laid out by Henry Drover on August 22, 1857.

Local History, Gardens and Special Memories

Huntington was called “Lime City” because of its numerous limestone quarries and lime kilns. The historic marker “The Lime City” is located at the intersection of W. Park Drive and Diamond Street in Sunken Gardens Park in Huntington. The Sunken Gardens/Shakespeare Gardens were originally dedicated to Huntington in 1924; from 1964 to 1967, the city implemented a revitalization plan to restore the gardens.

The history of the Miami is also connected to other people and places. Kiilhsoohkwa was born in 1810 in the area of present-day Huntington County and was a granddaughter of Miami Chief Little Turtle. For many years, she preserved a flag that was reportedly presented to her other grandfather, shimaakanehsia, at the 1795 Treaty of Greenville between the United States and several Indigenous tribes. The flag is considered a rare artifact of significance to American history and Miami tradition. The site of the Indian School was the first agricultural school for Indigenous populations in the West. It was founded in 1804 by Philip Dennis for the Society of Friends at the request of Chiefs Little Turtle and Five Medals.

Warren's Carnegie Library also offers a neoclassical-style building. Warren Free Public Library was dedicated on June 5, 1920, with more than 1,500 books. Those wishing to combine nature experiences with regional specialties can find canoeing and kayaking as well as wine, craft beer, spirits, ice cream and food at Rustic River Outfitters. Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington County is described as the birthplace of the hand-breaded pork tenderloin sandwich popular in Indiana.

Choosing Accommodation Based on Your Interests

Huntington County is well suited to a trip that combines nature, history and local highlights. If you focus on trails and water, the different routes and landscapes provide concrete points of reference for your planning. During a cultural and historical stay, the History and Education Center, the Forks of the Wabash, canal history and memorial sites take center stage. For further discoveries, you can also explore Markle. Other destinations for planning your trip include Grant County, Miami County, Ripley, Monroe, Tippecanoe, Henry County and Whitley County.

For the overarching travel overview: Indiana.