Jan 26, 2024
Because of a tragedy, a picturesque town with a Greek name (unusual for Indiana) has been in the national news for more than six years. That has often obscured the colorful heritage that Delphi in northern Indiana has reclaimed in captivating ways, including cruises on a portion of the former Wabash & Erie Canal, restored historic structures and a park showcasing the waterway's heritage, that have made the city a popular destination for visitors.
Hoosier History Live will spotlight Delphi (population. 2,975), the county seat of Carroll County, where, from May through September, visitors enjoy cruises on The Delphi, a replica of a 19th century canal boat. In this encore broadcast (original air date: Jan. 14, 2023), we also look at the history of some sites associated with the tragedy, the murders of two girls in February 2017, as well as the Canal Interpretive Center, which includes an interactive museum, and restored buildings such as the Delphi Opera House. Not only did James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier poet, perform at least six times at the opera house, he also visited the Delphi area to enjoy fishing and other leisure activities.
Nelson's guest is Carroll County historian Mark A. Smith. He is a docent at the Reed Case House, a grand, Federal-style home built in the 1840s by the contractor of the region's section of the Wabash & Erie Canal, which was constructed to connect Toledo on Lake Erie with Evansville on the Ohio River. The Reed Case House eventually became an inn for travelers and canal workers.