Historical Markers in Wayne County, Indiana
1968 Downtown Richmond Explosion
Bishop William Paul Quinn
C. Francis Jenkins
Cambridge City
Cambridge City Veterans Memorial
Camp Wayne
Early Masonic Hall
East Germantown Civil War Band
Fountain City Veterans Memorial
Freedom Fountain
George Washington Julian
Historic National Road
Historic National Road
Historic National Road / Make History, Drive It
Home of Levi Coffin
Home Sweet Home
Honor Roll
Huddleston House
Indian Boundary Line
Indiana University East
Indianas First Womans Rights Convention
Iron Brigade Commander
John Burney's Carriage Shop
John Scott, 1793 (?)-1838
Korean War Memorial
Levi Coffin
Madonna of the Trail
Madonna of the Trail
Mansion House
Mary B. Thistlethwaite Birdsall Home
Mendenhall-Clay Debate / Confrontation
Old Camp Wayne
Old Salisbury Court House
Oliver P. Morton Home
Overbeck House and Studio
Richmond Police Department Memorial
Richmond's Record Roots
Sailor Street
The Boundary Line Between Government and Indian Lands
The First Toll Gate
The Four Boulders
Thistlethwaite Falls
Valley Grove Cemetery
Valley Grove Veterans Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Virginia Claypool Meredith
Wayne County Seminary
Wayne Township World War II Memorial
Whitewater Hall
The Wabash River, which flows through western Indiana, was the inspiration for the state song, "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," written by Paul Dresser in 1897. It became one of the most popular songs of its time and has since become a symbol of the state's heritage.
About Wayne County
Wayne County Timeline
Wayne County, Indiana, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1811. The county was named after General Anthony Wayne, a renowned American Revolutionary War hero. The area was originally occupied by Native American tribes, including the Miami and Lenape, who were gradually displaced as European settlers arrived.
The first European settlers arrived in the early 1800s, attracted by the fertile lands and abundant natural resources. Richmond, now the county seat and largest city, was laid out in 1806 and quickly became a bustling center of commerce and industry. The construction of the Whitewater Canal in the 1840s further stimulated economic growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
During the turbulent years leading up to the American Civil War, Wayne County was a hotbed of abolitionist sentiment, with many residents actively involved in the Underground Railroad. The Levi and Catherine Coffin Home, now a National Historic Landmark, served as a safe haven for escaped slaves. Notable figures like Levi Coffin and his wife, "The President of the Underground Railroad," played significant roles in helping slaves on their journey to freedom.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Wayne County experienced industrial expansion, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The automobile industry had a significant presence, with companies like Wayne Works and Westcott Motor Car Company operating in the area. Today, Wayne County continues to thrive as a center for manufacturing, healthcare, education, and tourism, while preserving its proud history through numerous historic sites and landmarks.
The first European settlers arrived in the early 1800s, attracted by the fertile lands and abundant natural resources. Richmond, now the county seat and largest city, was laid out in 1806 and quickly became a bustling center of commerce and industry. The construction of the Whitewater Canal in the 1840s further stimulated economic growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
During the turbulent years leading up to the American Civil War, Wayne County was a hotbed of abolitionist sentiment, with many residents actively involved in the Underground Railroad. The Levi and Catherine Coffin Home, now a National Historic Landmark, served as a safe haven for escaped slaves. Notable figures like Levi Coffin and his wife, "The President of the Underground Railroad," played significant roles in helping slaves on their journey to freedom.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Wayne County experienced industrial expansion, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The automobile industry had a significant presence, with companies like Wayne Works and Westcott Motor Car Company operating in the area. Today, Wayne County continues to thrive as a center for manufacturing, healthcare, education, and tourism, while preserving its proud history through numerous historic sites and landmarks.
Wayne County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Wayne County, Indiana.
- 1796 - Wayne County established as a county in the Northwest Territory
- 1803 - First courthouse built in Centerville, becoming county seat
- 1811 - Native American presence in the area diminished after the Battle of Tippecanoe
- 1814 - Pioneers began settling in the county
- 1818 - Richmond, now the largest city in the county, founded
- 1840s - Rapid growth and industrialization in Richmond
- 1863 - Largely affected by the American Civil War
- 1873 - "The Great Fire" destroys a significant portion of downtown Richmond
- 1890s - Boom in manufacturing, specifically in the automobile and furniture industries
- 20th Century - Continued growth and expansion of Richmond and other communities in Wayne County