Wabash County Indiana was organized in 1835. The name "Wabash" is derived from the Native Miami Indian word "waapaahsikisiipiiwi" which means, "it is a bright white river". The city of Wabash and the county were named after the river. Miami lore tells the story of Frances Slocum, who as a young white girl, was kidnapped by Indians in Pennsylvania. She lived her life as a Miami chief's wife and after 50 years was found here in Wabash County by her family members who had never stopped searching for her. She chose to stay with the Miami tribe. Her name is commonplace today in Wabash.

The City of Wabash was the first to use electricity to light the city's streets. Charles Brush invented an arc lamp that cast such an intense light it literally lit the city as though it were daytime, according to newspaper accounts. Four of these arc lamps were mounted atop the courthouse dome in March of 1888. One of the original lamps is in the lobby of that same courthouse still standing today. In 2005, the city celebrated the 125th anniversary of this historic event.

The Honeywell Center is the cultural and activity center of the community. Diverse Concert performances range from "Hometown Girl" Crystal Gayle, to The Russian Ballet, to REO Speedwagon.

North Manchester in Northern Wabash County is home to Manchester College, founded in the 19th Century. It is also the birthplace of the 28th U.S. Vice- President Thomas Marshall.

In the fall of 2005 Wabash County welcomed the opening of a new state-of-the-art Historical Museum. During a pre-view weekend in early summer in 2005, the museum featured a quilt exhibit from the collection of regional quiltmaker, Bernice Enyeart. Bernice's execution of color and mastery of appliqué are a "Beauty to Behold". The museum is planning for more quilt exhibits in the future, as Wabash is the birthplace of Marie Webster. Marie Daugherty graduated from Wabash High School and on Valentines Day in 1880 married George Webster, and lived her life in nearby Marion, Indiana. In the early 1900's, she wrote her Landmark book "Quilts, Their Story and How to Make Them." The first ever published book about quilt making. This launched her company "Practical Patchwork" and she ran the business from her home in Marion. Today that same home is the location for the Quilters Hall Of Fame Museum. The Marie Webster House has been designated a "Landmark of Women's History" and declared a "National Historic Landmark" by the National Park Service, the only one which honors a quiltmaker and the only quilt museum to be located in the home of a world renowned quilter.

Nestled in north central Indiana, Wabash County offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Two reservoirs offer camping, boating, fishing, and more. Or if golf is the sport of choice there are four area courses.

Wabash is just a few driving hours from Chicago, Detroit, and Cincinnati. Only one and a half hours north of Indianapolis and less than an hour from Fort Wayne, and Indiana's Amish Country.

We invite you to visit soon, in person or online! For more information... (See links for "Local Color")