Aqueduct St.
Location: Central Canal-Fall Creek aqueduct
The Central Canal through Indianapolis was originally a part of what was supposed to be a statewide canal system. The path of the canal ran through Fall Creek and an aqueduct was needed to moved the canal over the creek. Construction on the canal system began in 1836 and two years later the aqueduct was completed. The original aqueduct was only one span made entirely of wood, so a subsequent aqeducts with more modern materials and improvements were constructed in 1870, 1882 and 1890.
On March 27, 1904, a devastating flood hit Indianapolis and aqueduct was washed away. A subsequent aqeduct was completed in 1905, the fifth aqeduct to be built in the location, just south of the Burdsal Parkway where it crosses the canal meets the creek.
Looking South on Aqueduct Street from Indy Pic-a-Part
Photos courtesy Sergio Bennett
Great post! To continue the “what’s in a name” theme, there’s Drover Street near Kentucky Avenue (most likely related to the now defunct meat packing plants that existed down there. Also a small street near the same area called Sand Street which ran by the old Hetherington & Berner foundry (Sand=Sand Casting?).
A more recent example is by the Kohl’s in the Speedway shopping center. There is a small street that is still called Woolco lane. The Kohl’s building started out its life as a Woolco.
Great suggestions, David!
I believe Drover Street may have been named after the livery companies that preceded trucking companies in West Indianapolis. Hoffa’s Silver Slipper Cafe, a local tavern frequented by “teamsters”; i.e., truck drivers, was located there for decades…a high school classmate used to bartend there.
Does the aquaduct park have public access? I tried to reach it from 3 different directions and was unable to do so. I even followed the instructions on the web site. Would like to view this area if possible. Thank you.
@Doug Sell There is a trail that opened earlier this year that can give you a glimpse — Big Hackberry Nature Trail off Fall Creek. I hiked it this weekend and its a bit rugged. Just follow the trail south until it meets the river. You may need to scramble over some rocks and ruins in order to get a view of the aqueduct. It also may be best to wait until the water level in Fall Creek is low so you have better access to the riverbank. Good luck!