The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-06
B-LOOMINGDALE GLENS.
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Special to the indianapolis Journal.
BLOOMINGDALE, Ind, Sept. 5.-Visitors
to this resort find rest and recreation in a
quiet camp life and in hunting and fish
ing along Sugar creek, They revel in the
beauties of the numerous canyons, in easy
walking distance on both sides of the
stream, and delight III hay rides on sum-
mer afternoons, but with September comes
the ideal weather for driving. There are
several places not many miles distant well
worth a visit. Roads are now in fine con-
dition. The air is invigorating and the
days just warm enough to make riding a
pleasure. Whatever direction is taken the
road will lead through a region of farms.
Bright colored wild growths fill every
neglected or waste place. If any city
dweller fancies all flowers gone with the
waning summer, let him behold the gor-
geous display on every hand. There is a
brilliancy of hue now not to be found
earlier in the season. While shades of
orange and yellow predominant, yet blues
and pinks and white are also common.
Iron weeds in rich purplish reds and wild
b~uckwheat, with its feathery white bios
SONS, add variety. Some of the summer
flowers seem to have taken a new lease on
life. The clover fields are covered with an
other crop of bloom.
One of the p~rettiest and most interesting
drives from this place is TO Rockport, the
site of an extinct village. Fifty years ago.
Rockport, a busting little town, with an
excellent outlook for future prosperity, was
situated on the south bank of Sugar creek,
about three miles from this place. Now
only two of the old buildings remain, one
an rnnccupiad dualiip0 tho ofrar a Stora-
room. A dam across Sugar creek afforded
an unrivaled location for a mill. Here, in
the early times, Prior Wright built a grist
mill. which was patronized from far and
near. This energetic miller, with a diver
sity of interests, soon caused the place to
become a center of trade. Flatboats were
built on the creek, loaded with produce and
sent down The great river route to South
ern markets In the winter time pork
packing was carried on extensively. Each
spring quantities of flour and pork were
maQy people located here. The general
supply store was enlarged; a sawmill was
set I'D, "A supply of valuable timber being
close at hand; a blacksmith shop came, and
a postoffice followed. The name Rockport
seemed exactly suited to the place because
of the massive rock which forms the cliff
on this side of the creek. Scenic attrac-
tons were not lacking. as one CANYON.
known as DEVILS Den, is a resort for pic
nickers even in these days. a natural ford
across Sugar creek made the spot a trad
ing post, where Indians bartered furs with
the first white traders of the region. Early
In the civil war a bridge was built over
the old ford. This brought new customers
TO the thriving little town. For many
years the Rockport mill, a great square
structure several stories high, was the
most important factor in the community.
"A school had long been established. Coal
mines and stone ouarries were opened in
the nearby hills. During the prosperous
years of the Wabash and Erie canal il was
not unusual for canal boats to come up the
feeder" and passing through into the
creek, move up stream TO Rockport, bring
ing fresh supplies of merchandise and car
rying away cargoes of produce.
While towns on lower levels in the Wa
bash valley suffered from malaria and ague,
this village from it's perch on The high
bluffs, escaped those evils. Excellent
springs OF limestone water supplied the
peoples need. One of these old springs
with its front of masonry is plainly visible
from the present highway. Although now
unused, Its rugged surroundings are still
beautiful. On q hilltop back Of the town