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Richmond and Wayne County: Gateway to Indiana’s National Road
The National Road, which is now U.S. 40 in Indiana, was once the east-west highway through the United States. It was the first national highway, and the only highway ever funded by the federal government. Families heading West came by covered wagons along the National Road, and towns like Centerville and Cambridge City sprang up along the route. Richmond and these Wayne County towns were some of the first in Indiana to be settled, and many of the homes and historic landmarks can still be seen. Today Richmond welcomes visitors interested in its fascinating, well-preserved history. The area, also known by antique lovers throughout the country as Antique Alley, is home to over 900 antique dealers. Walking the streets of Richmond and other Wayne County towns, visitors are reminded of its heritage not only during its early years as a gateway to the West, but also of its contributions to Indiana’s history. Richmond was once a major producer of automobiles, lawn mowers, steam engines and threshing machines, and was the “birthplace of recorded jazz”.
Many early settlers reached Indiana by the Ohio River, as steamboats were on the River since around 1812. It wasn’t until the 1850’s that railroads were built that could carry people and cargo throughout the state. Congress realized a road was needed to take people through the interior of the nation. In 1811 construction was begun on The National Road. Building a road through dense forests was a slow project. It wasn’t until 1827 that the National Road was completed through Wayne County. In 1825 the capital had been moved from Corydon to Indianapolis, which was by no means a major city. Its central location made access nearly impossible. At the time Indianapolis became the capital its population was only 600. It was a one-street village that didn’t even have reliable stagecoach service. Washington Street was already the widest street in town, so it was widened to 120 feet to accommodate the coming road. In 1835, eight years after the National Road was completed in Wayne County, it reached Indianapolis. By 1837 Indiana’s National Road was bustling with travelers. The Richmond Palladium reported that over one hundred wagons a day passed through Richmond! The National Road was becoming a major through-way. The National Road, on its completion, would go from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois, crossing six states. It was competed through Vandalia in 1839.
The 1830’s to 1850’s brought an unprecedented number of settlers to Ohio and Indiana. The Richmond area attracted many other Quakers, who would have quite an influence on the region. The National Road continued through Indiana on what is now U.S. 40, and along the way “pike towns” sprang up every ten miles or so. These provided travelers places to stop, rest, have a meal or repair work done on their wagons. The towns and businesses also served local farmers. These pike towns can be seen along U.S. 40 throughout Indiana, but for now we will focus on Wayne County. National Road Pike Towns
Centerville The first pike town west of Richmond was Centerville. Centerville was Wayne County’s first “Seat of Justice” and its history gave it a unique look. The Lantz House was owned by wagon-maker Daniel Lantz, who also repaired wagons. Properties along the main street became so valuable that the street was narrowed from 100 to 65 feet to allow property owners to add on to the fronts of their shops. Because of this, narrow alleys were left between row houses with arches connecting them. This allowed access to the original buildings in back. Centerville’s archways and row-houses were patterned after Maryland architecture, and are not seen anywhere else in the Midwest. The archways were mostly added around 1832 as the National Road was completed. Over 100 of Centerville’s buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visiting Wayne County Hayes Regional Arboretum
The Wayne County Historical Museum The museum also has an 1919 Davis airplane that was manufactured in Richmond, a Wooten desk, a replica of a general store, and much more.
Outside the museum is a Village Square, with a fully operational blacksmith shop, the 1823 Dickinson house and an old log school. The Palladium Printing Office is a functioning print shop modeled after Richmond’s 1890’s newspaper office. Much of the museum’s material is still printed on the grounds. Birthplace of Recorded Jazz The Starr Piano Company opened in 1872, and in 1915 phonographs were added. Hoagy Carmichael recorded “Star Dust” in Gennett Recording Studios. The history of the Starr Piano Company and Gennett Studios are on exhibit in the Wayne County Historical Museum. This exhibit provides a fascinating look at Richmond’s rich jazz heritage and offers samples of music that listeners are sure to recognize. Earlham College
This was the home of Levi and Catharine Coffin, North Carolina Quakers who were opposed to slavery. Escaped slaves would follow the North Star, traveling only at night to avoid being caught by search parties. They would hide in the homes of people who opposed slavery. Slaves stopped here en route to Canada from Cincinnati, Ohio and Jefferson, Indiana. They often stayed in these homes for weeks at a time until they were strong enough to continue the journey North. Not a single slave who reached the Coffin House failed to reach freedom. The Coffins lived in this home for two years, before moving to Cincinnati in 1847, where they would help 1,300 more more escape. One girl who hid in the Levi Coffin House was “Eliza”, whose story is told in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
History lovers also enjoy Centerville, with its historic homes and unique architecture. “Antique Alley” cannot fully be appreciated in a single day, so packages are available which offer two different antiquing trails with accommodations, discount vouchers for various dealers, and antique shop locator maps. Call 800-828-8414. Richmond and Wayne County JAZZIVERSARY DINNER AND DANCE, March 18th. Sponsored by the Wayne County Historical Museum. Call 765-962-5756 for information. END OF WINTER SUPPERS AT HUDDLESTON FARMHOUSE INN MUSEUM, March 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. The public is invited for an End of Winter Supper, an authentic mid-nineteenth-century meal prepared from period “receipts” at the deep hearth in the farmhouse kitchen. Hearth cooks, dressed for the period, show visitors how. The lavish meal is served by candlelight at the long harvest table in the farmhouse dining room. Following dinner, enjoy dessert and a candlelight tour of the 1841 farmhouse, period music, and the exhibit Indiana through the Mapmaker’s Eye. Contact 765-478-3172 Tuesdays through Fridays, 10am-4pm. For more Wayne County activities, see the SouthernIN.com Calender of Events. Old National Road Welcome Center, 765-935-8687 or 800-828-8414. Levi Coffin House, 765-847-2432. Wayne County Historical Museum, 765-962-5756 Huddleston Farmhouse Inn Museum, 765-478-3172. |
Rising Hill, on U.S. 40 in Hendricks county. This magnificent 1870 historic home will be featured on Bob Vila's Restore America on March 19 and 9 p.m. Central, 10 p.m. eastern time on HGTV. You can also learn more about it in the April issue of SouthernIN.com as we continue our look at The National Road.
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All Feature Articles, artwork and photographs ©1999 by Dervish Design. Some information on the 'County Info' pages is taken directly from brochures published by Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce.
On the eastern border of Indiana lies Richmond, in Wayne County. This town is the gateway to one of Indiana’s two National Scenic Byways: The National Road.
