Transportation was considered an essential component to any successful city at the turn of the century. Before the construction of the Central Canal, Indiana explored the possibilities of utilizing the White River as a method of transportation, sinking and grounding several vessels in the process. In the attempt to successfully navigate towards economic prosperity and ensure connections to surrounding areas and resources, the Indiana General Assembly enacted The Indiana Internal Improvements Act of 1836 — these improvements included $10,000,000 worth of construction projects for railroads, river, and a 296-mile canal. The Central Canal projected intended to connect Indiana to Ohio, ensuring economic prosperity within the state. As a result of the 1837 economic crash, construction of the canal crumbled in 1839 with only twenty-six miles dug and a mere eight miles considered functional. Despite the projects abandonment and failure to meet original expectations, it was still a distinct physical feature of the city. In 1850, private parties purchased the Central Canal from the state as a method to retire its debts. Several owners later, including an indictment for maintaining a “public nuisance”, and the waterway was purchased by the Indianapolis Water Company (IWC); its most long-term owner. During this period, the city was capitalizing off of major industry along the White River despite the industries consistent dumping into the waterway. The White River supplied abundant amounts of untreated, polluted water to the Central Canal and it was primarily composed of raw sewage, garbage, animal carcasses, and various sentiments from the unpaved city streets.
This combination of increased pollution from new industries, the noise and an overwhelming sense of entitlement influenced wealthier residents to establish neighborhoods on the northern side of Indianapolis, eventually turning it into what was considered the most attractive area of the city. As a result of redlining regulations, areas along the Central Canal were mostly populated by immigrants and African-American communities. Many people lived closely along its shores and in the the near the west side, what was considered the industrial, a less desirable portion of downtown Indianapolis. By the 1970’s, the Central Canal was valued at over $1,000,000 and development interests gained traction. In 1976, the Indianapolis Water Company deeded the downtown portion of the canal to the City of Indianapolis. By 1985, the portion south of Interstate 65 was under construction for the city’s most ambitious beautification project. Indianapolis’ largest tourist attractions, “Canal Walk”, is a three-mile loop trail described as an “urban respite for fitness enthusiasts and serenity-seekers alike. This Downtown waterfront is dotted with pedal boats and gondolas, bicycles, surreys and even Segways.”
Despite the seemingly “rags to riches” narrative, the development of Indianapolis’ Central Canal exemplifies the need for the environmental justice movement. Its story exemplifies privilege, negligence, abuses of power and greed. The movement of African-American people during the Great Migration in the early 20th century led to a diversified urban environment in Indianapolis. In addition to various economic and social barriers, the locations in which families and individuals settled were profoundly constrained by redlining restrictions. An area deemed “appropriate” for African-Americans was along the Central Canal, exposing these communities to the waterways raw sewage and pollution. Despite these circumstances, many individuals established their lifelong homes nearby only to be forcefully removed during the Housing Clearance Project of 1945, using public health concerns as a means of obtaining land and again in the 1980’s by eminent domain claiming for public use of the land.
Work Cited
Header photo: People on the canal. Flanner House Records, 1936-1990. IUPUI, University Library, Special Collections and Archives. Bodenhamer, D. J., Barrows, R. G., & Vanderstel, D. G. 1994. The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Bakken, J. Darrell. 2003. "Now that time has had its say": a history of the Indianapolis Central Canal, 1835-2002. Bloomington, IN: 1stBooks Library. Canal Walk Indy. The Downtown Canal Walk. 2018. Retrieved at www.canalwalkindy.com, November 21, 2018.