(The following brief history has been made available by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites 650 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.)

Canal’s Historic Significance

As settlers moved into the Northwest Territory after 1800, transportation routes became a priority for the government. In 1836, Indiana legislators passed the Internal Improvements Act, which began Indiana’s brief experience with canal building. Whitewater Canal was one of several projects started as a result of this act. 

The canal began in Lawrenceburg and originally ended at Cambridge City. When the state went bankrupt in the 1840s, the canal was completed by private enterprise. Extensions and spurs o the canal were added by the merchants of Hagerstown, Ind. and by the state of Ohio to link Cincinnati to the canal. All of these factors combined to make the canal 101 miles long. Along the route, 56 locks were built to accommodate a fall of nearly 500 feet.

Two of these locks are preserved and can be viewed at the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site. Once contains the massive doors similar to the ones that were used to regulate the flow of water that would raise or lower boats to the proper elevation.

The state of Indiana assumed management of a 14-mile section of the canal in 1946 and today operates a horse-drawn canal boat and the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site. Visitors can step back in time while taking a leisurely 25-minute cruise on the Ben Franklin III. During the voyage, the vessel passes through the Duck Creek Aqueduct, a covered bridge that carries the canal 16 feet over Duck Creek. It is believed to be the only structure of its kind still in existence.

Mill’s Historic Significance

Whitewater Canal State Historic Site has been the home of the Metamora Gristmill since it was built in 1845. After the canal transportation era ended, the canal was used as a source of power for many gristmills, including this one. It was originally built as a cotton mill by Jonathan Banes, a former engineer and participant in the digging of the Whitewater Canal.

Because cotton was not grown in the area, mill operation was not very profitable at first. Knowing this, Banes formed a partnership with a gentleman named Murry in 1857 and converted the cotton mill into a gristmill that ground corn and wheat.

The original mill was a three-story frame structure that burned in 1899. When rebuilt the following year, it was converted to the brick mill we see today. Visitors can stroll through the first floor of the mill and see corn meal, flour and grits being ground much as it was done nearly 50 years ago. Visitors may purchase the products produced at the mill.

(The following comments are provided by Metamora's Mrs. Gail Ginther:)