Terre Haute is a city in the US state of Indiana. The 2020 census had a population of 58,389 in the town on the banks of the Wabash River. It is the administrative seat of Vigo County and home of Indiana State University. The mayor is Republican Duke A. Bennett. Outside of town is the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex.
Swope Art Museum, 25 South 7th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Tel:
+1-812-238-1676 . Art museum. Open: Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm,
Saturday from 12pm to 5pm. Price: Admission is free, some special
exhibitions with admission.
Terre Haute Children's Museum, 727
Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Tel: +1-812-235-5548, Email:
info@terrehautechildrensmuseum.com facebooktwitter. Science museum
especially for children. Open: Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm,
Friday from 10am to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 12pm to
5pm. Price: Admission per adult and child US$ 8
Candles Holocaust
Museum and Education Center, 1532 South 3rd Street, Terre Haute, IN
47802. Tel: +1-812-234-7881, email: info@candleholocaustmuseum.org
facebooktwitter. History Museum about the Holocaust. Open: Tuesday to
Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Price: Admission US$5 per person.
Indiana Theater, 683 Ohio Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Tel:
+1-812-232-8076, Fax: +1-812-238-0333, Email:
Info@IndianaTheater.com.
Eugene Debs Birthplace
The Eugene V. Debs House is located on the
campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. It is the
birthplace of American labor leader Eugene Debs and was designated as a
National Historic Landmark on November 13, 1965. Eugene Debs and his
wife Kate Debs built the two-story frame house after their fifth wedding
anniversary in 1890. In the process, Debs' home was criticized for not
reflecting working-class life. Debs' wife inherited from her wealthy
aunt, and furnished her home with sumptuous furnishings. During Debs'
lifetime, visitors to his home included James Whitcombe Relay and Carl
Sandburg. When Debs died in 1926, a funeral sermon was given in front of
the house, and about 5,000 people attended. Furnishings in the house
include a fireplace made of blue tiles imported from Italy, mahogany
furniture in the kitchen and drawing room, and a full set of Haviland
porcelain. Currently, the house is used as a museum. Debs' personal
collection is housed at the Indiana State University Library, just
across the street. One of the rooms has a mural depicting Debs' life.
The Sisters of Providence is a Catholic religious Congregation that was founded in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, United States in October 1840 by Sister Theodora Guérin (known to the congregation as Saint Mother Theodora). Guérin and her companions left the Sisters of Providence in Ruillé-sur-Loir, France, at the invitation of the Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana, to found the Sisters of Providence in the United States. In 1843, the Indiana congregation became independent of the order at Ruillé, and the Rules of the Congregation were approved by the Holy See in 1887. Since 1840, more than 5,200 women have entered the Sisters of Providence.2 By As of 2010, there are nearly 400 sisters in the order, about 300 of whom live and work in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. The others work in 19 states and Asia.
Terre Haute, nestled in the Wabash Valley, is steeped in eerie
folklore, with many legends tied to its historic cemeteries, old homes,
and university buildings. These stories often blend historical events
like the Underground Railroad, premature burial fears, and tragic
accidents with reports of ghostly apparitions, unexplained sounds, and
chilling phenomena. Below are some of the most prominent haunted
legends, drawn from local tales and historical accounts.
Stiffy
Green and the Heinl Mausoleum (Highland Lawn Cemetery)
One of Terre
Haute's most famous ghost stories revolves around Stiffy Green, the
loyal bulldog of John G. Heinl, a prominent early 20th-century florist
and businessman. Heinl died in 1920, and according to legend, Stiffy
Green refused to leave his master's side, guarding the mausoleum at
Highland Lawn Cemetery until he himself died on its steps. The dog was
then stuffed and placed inside the tomb to eternally watch over Heinl,
with his green glass eyes glaring through the door. Witnesses have
reported seeing a shadowy figure of an elderly man walking with a
stiff-legged bulldog whose eyes glow green at night, accompanied by
distant barking echoing from the mausoleum area. Some even claim to see
Heinl smoking a pipe while strolling with the spectral dog. The original
stuffed dog was vandalized multiple times—shot at and damaged—leading to
its removal in 1983 and replacement with a replica; the real one is now
displayed at the Vigo County Historical Society. This legend highlights
themes of unwavering loyalty beyond death, and the cemetery remains a
hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts.
Martin Sheets Mausoleum
(Highland Lawn Cemetery)
Also in Highland Lawn Cemetery, the story of
Martin Sheets reflects early 20th-century fears of being buried alive.
Sheets, a wealthy Terre Haute resident who died in 1910, constructed an
elaborate mausoleum equipped with a special coffin featuring internal
latches for escape, a rocking chair, a bottle of whiskey, and a direct
telephone line to summon help if he awoke entombed. Telephone operators
monitored the line, but no calls ever came. Years later, his wife Susan
died clutching a telephone receiver; when her body was placed in the
mausoleum, the tomb's phone was found off the hook, sparking rumors of
supernatural communication. The mausoleum also holds their infant
daughter Ethel, who died at 13 months. Reports include the phone line
flashing or ringing inexplicably, symbolizing Sheets' lingering
obsession. This legend underscores historical anxieties about death and
technology, with the cemetery's operators once fearing eerie signals
from the grave.
The Preston House
The Preston House, built
between 1824 and 1832 at the corner of Poplar and 13 1/2 Streets, was a
massive stone structure owned by Major George Dewees, a temperamental
man from New Orleans. His wife, Matilda, filed for divorce but
mysteriously disappeared before it was finalized. Legends claim Dewees
murdered her and bricked her body into a space beside the fireplace,
leading to reports of cold spots in that area and blue lights seeping
through shuttered windows. The house also served as a stop on the
Underground Railroad, with a basement tunnel for hiding fugitive slaves;
a cave-in allegedly trapped and killed several, and on warm summer
nights, faint hymns of freedom are said to emanate from the ground.
Fires, neglect, and structural issues led to its collapse during
demolition in 1987, with the fireplace room falling first—preventing any
thorough search for remains. Stones from the house were repurposed for a
grist mill at Pioneer Village in Fowler Park. This tale combines
domestic tragedy with abolitionist history, making it one of Terre
Haute's darkest legends.
Helen Condit and the Condit House
Built in 1860, the Condit House on Indiana State University's campus was
home to Blackford Condit, his wife Sara, and their eight children. As
the university expanded, the family refused to sell, so the campus grew
around it. Helen Condit, the last surviving child, willed the house to
serve as the university president's residence upon her death, but it was
initially used as offices instead—angering her spirit. Hauntings include
windows and doors slamming shut on their own, the cries of infant
siblings who died in the house, and a shadowy female figure in the top
middle window at night, even when locked. After restoration in 1967 to
become the president's home, the more chaotic activity ceased, but
occasional cries and sightings persist. This legend ties into themes of
unfulfilled legacies and family bonds.
Faceless Nun of St. Mary
of the Woods College
At St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, just outside
Terre Haute, the Faceless Nun legend dates to the mid-1800s. A talented
nun artist always painted faces last in her portraits. She began her
self-portrait but fell ill and died before completing the face.
Afterward, another nun heard weeping in Foley Hall's chapel studio and
saw a faceless figure sobbing; it vanished when others arrived.
Apparitions of the nun, sometimes in outdated habits, have been reported
in Foley Hall (demolished in 1989) and other buildings, with weeping
sounds persisting. Related hauntings include a bloodstain resembling a
face on a wall in O'Shaughnessy Hall from a nun's suicide, which
reappears after cleaning; a floating nun in the historic theatre; and
footsteps in empty stairs or closed tunnels beneath the campus. These
stories evoke unfinished business and religious sorrow.
100 Steps
Cemetery (Cloverland)
Located halfway between Brazil and Terre Haute,
near Cloverland on US 40, this Civil War-era cemetery is dubbed
Indiana's most haunted. Visitors ascend 100 steps to the top; legend
says counting them up at midnight under a new moon, then down, results
in a mismatch—triggering a vision from the first caretaker's ghost
revealing your death. A matching count means the vision is false, but
straying risks a red handprint from a devilish force. Historical lore
includes body snatching in 1892, when a farmer's daughter's corpse was
stolen for medical schools. Active today, with a new staircase, it's a
site for thrill-seekers drawn to its numerological and prophetic
terrors.
The Red House
This two-story Shingle Style house in
Terre Haute, painted red (and resistant to repainting), has a dark
history of murders and suicides, reportedly housing at least five
spirits, some demonic. Personal accounts from the 1990s include a tall,
soot-faced man in a toboggan gliding down hallways without legs; a woman
in tattered clothes holding a cat, emitting a musky scent; cold bursts
knocking people back; a dog leaping from a high window in fear; a child
pushed down stairs; and a 500-gallon fish tank shattering inexplicably.
A hidden crawl space revealed a time capsule room with old newspapers
and shoes. Neighbors confirmed its haunted reputation, leading one
family to flee after sightings in windows. The basement's dirt floors
and stone walls added to its creepy aura.
Other Notable Legends
Hell’s Gate (Brazil Tunnel): The last of seven alleged gates to Hell in
the Wabash Valley; flashing lights three times reveals blood on walls,
screams, and car-pounding.
Markle Mill - Old Mill Dam: Ruins of an
1816 gristmill tied to the Underground Railroad; a girl's ghost from a
tunnel death haunts the site.
The Face in the Wall (Fruitridge Road):
A boy's face imprinted in a rock wall after a fatal drag-racing crash;
touching the eye socket allegedly brings death.
Headless Trainman
(North Railroad Tracks): A decapitated brakeman swings a lantern,
searching for his head after a derailment.
'Till Death Do Us Part
(Old Stevens Farmhouse): A bride's gown caught fire before her wedding;
her ghost bangs and stomps, seeking her fiancé.
Shadow Beasts (Off US
40): Running shadow figures mimic bushes but move independently,
vanishing under light.
Indiana State University Hauntings: In Burford
Hall, "Barb" vomits and cries after alcohol poisoning death; Cromwell
Hall has footsteps from a suicide jumper.
Vigo County Historical
Museum: Orbs, mists, and a moving crib in this former halfway house.
Abandoned Places in Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute's industrial
and historical past has left behind numerous abandoned sites, some
intertwined with haunted legends (like the Preston House or Markle
Mill). These spots attract urban explorers, but many are dangerous due
to decay, trespassing risks, or active worksites. Always respect legal
boundaries.
Abandoned Coca-Cola Estate (Rocky Edge Estate)
This historic mansion, once owned by Coca-Cola bottling magnate Chapman
J. Root, sits abandoned in Terre Haute. Built in the early 20th century,
it featured grand architecture but fell into disrepair after Root's
death. The estate includes overgrown grounds, crumbling interiors with
vintage fixtures, and reports of eerie atmospheres, though no specific
hauntings are widely documented. Urban explorers note its photogenic
decay, including broken windows and vandalized rooms. Reasons for
abandonment include ownership disputes and maintenance costs; it's now a
popular spot for photography but off-limits to the public.
Super
Kmart Center
This massive retail building in Terre Haute, a former
Super Kmart, has been abandoned since the chain's decline in the early
2000s. It features vast empty aisles, faded signage, and remnants of
store fixtures like shelves and checkout lanes. The site symbolizes the
retail apocalypse, abandoned due to corporate bankruptcy and shifting
shopping habits. Explorers report vast, echoing spaces with graffiti and
debris, but it's secured and trespassing is discouraged.
Abandoned Buildings at Fairbanks Park
Near the north end of the trail
in Fairbanks Park, close to the YMCA and river, are about eight
abandoned buildings accessible via a hole in the fence. These
structures, possibly old industrial or storage facilities, lead toward a
worksite and baseball field area. Users report no security issues but
advise caution not to venture too far. The site's abandonment stems from
urban decay and park redevelopment; it's a low-key spot for exploration
with overgrown paths and rusted remnants.
Old Terre Haute
Industrial Complex
This sprawling abandoned factory complex in Terre
Haute dates to the city's manufacturing heyday. It includes derelict
warehouses and machinery, abandoned due to economic shifts and plant
closures in the late 20th century. Current state: Overgrown, with
structural hazards like collapsing roofs. No major legends, but its
isolation fosters an eerie vibe for explorers.
Abandoned Terre
Haute Medical Center
A former hospital or medical facility, left
vacant amid healthcare consolidations. It features empty patient rooms,
outdated equipment, and peeling paint. Abandonment reasons include
mergers and funding cuts; now it's a site of urban decay with potential
asbestos risks. Some report ghostly feelings tied to its medical
history, though unconfirmed.
Ruins of Terre Haute Military Base (Cold
War-Era)
Remnants of a Cold War military installation, including
bunkers and overgrown barracks. Abandoned post-Cold War due to base
closures. Current state: Ruined structures amid nature reclamation.
Legends are sparse, but its secretive past invites speculation about
hidden experiments or spirits of soldiers.
Other Abandoned Spots
Abandoned Bridge over Lost Creek: An old, unused bridge foregrounding
active ones; abandoned due to infrastructure updates.
The Mall:
Nearly empty, a victim of online shopping; vast vacant stores create a
ghost-town feel.
Lee Allen Bryant Sanitarium (East of Rockville, near
Terre Haute): Former mental hospital offering tours; abandoned after
closure, with haunted house history and reported paranormal activity.
1 Candlewood Suites, 721 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Tel.:
+1-812-234-3400.
2 Days Inn & Suites, 101 East Margaret Avenue,
Terre Haute, IN 47802. Tel.: +1-812-232-8006.
3 Hilton Garden Inn,
750 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Tel.: +1-812-234-8900, Fax:
+1-812-234-8903.
4 Quality Inn, 555 South 3rd Street, Terre Haute,
IN 47807. Tel.: +1-812-235-3333, Fax: +1-812-232-9563.
5 Red Carpet
Inn, 2150 North 3rd Street, Terre Haute, IN 47804. Tel.:
+1-812-235-0200, Fax: +1-812-235-0233.
6 Red Roof Inn & Suites, 3053
US-Highway 41, Terre Haute, IN 47802. Tel.: +1-812-238-1461, Fax:
+1-812-233-0611.
7 Rodeway Inn, 400 South 3rd Street, Terre Haute, IN
47807. Tel.: +1-812-232-0383, Fax: +1-812-645-1205.
8 Super 8, 3089
South 1st Street, Terre Haute, IN 47802. Tel.: +1-812-645-1796.
9
Travelodge, 530 South 3rd Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Tel.:
+1-812-232-7075.
Pre-History and Indigenous Presence
The area now known as Terre
Haute, Indiana, has roots in Native American habitation long before
European arrival. A Wea Indian village was located near the site of what
would become Fort Harrison, with orchards and meadows extending a few
miles south to the present-day city location. The last leader of this
Wea village was Jacco Godfroy, and the city's Order of the Arrow lodge
is named in his honor. French-Canadian explorers and fur trappers in the
early 18th century named the region "terre haute," meaning "highland" in
French, referring to the bluffs rising above the east bank of the Wabash
River. This high ground served as a natural boundary in the territorial
claims between French Canada and Louisiana, amid broader French and
British colonial rivalries in the region.
Founding and Early
Settlement (1811–1853)
Permanent European-American settlement began
in earnest with the construction of Fort Harrison in 1811 along the
Wabash River, during a period of tension leading up to the War of 1812.
The fort was built under the command of General William Henry Harrison
and played a role in regional defense against Native American forces
allied with the British. By 1816, the village of Terre Haute was platted
as part of Knox County, Indiana. The establishment of Vigo County in
1818, with Terre Haute as its county seat, spurred population growth,
drawing settlers attracted by the fertile land and river access.
The
early economy revolved around agriculture, milling, and pork processing,
supported by the Wabash River for transportation. The National Road (now
U.S. Route 40), completed through the area in the 1820s, and the Wabash
and Erie Canal, operational by the 1830s, connected Terre Haute to wider
markets, facilitating trade and immigration. In 1832, with an estimated
population of around 1,000, residents voted to incorporate the village.
By 1853, Terre Haute achieved city status, reflecting its growing
importance as a regional hub.
19th-Century Growth and
Industrialization (1853–1900)
The latter half of the 19th century
marked a period of rapid expansion for Terre Haute, driven by
industrialization and improved infrastructure. The city's population
surged from 4,051 in 1850 to 36,673 by 1900, fueled by waves of European
immigrants and internal migration. Key industries included iron and
steel mills, hominy plants, distilleries, breweries, bottle
manufacturing, and coal mining, which supported the burgeoning railroad
network. Agriculture remained dominant, particularly corn production
used for alcoholic beverages and processed foods.
Transportation
advancements were pivotal: railroads replaced canals as the primary mode
of freight and passenger movement, with Terre Haute becoming a key stop
on multiple lines. Social and cultural development kept pace, with the
establishment of fire protection services, two hospitals, numerous
churches, and entertainment venues. The city gained a reputation as an
educational center with the founding of institutions like Indiana State
Normal School (now Indiana State University) in 1865 and Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology in 1874.
Arts and recreation flourished, with
grand opera houses hosting international performers and vaudeville
circuits. Streetcar systems, electrified in the 1890s, connected
residents to baseball games, amusement parks, river excursions, and
horse racing at the "Four-Cornered" Racetrack (established 1886, now the
site of Memorial Stadium). This era solidified Terre Haute's nicknames,
such as "Queen City of the Wabash" and "The Crossroads of America," due
to its strategic location at the intersection of major east-west and
north-south routes.
Early 20th Century: Disasters, Depression,
and War (1900–1950)
The turn of the century brought both prosperity
and challenges. Population growth continued, reaching 58,157 by 1910 and
peaking at 66,083 in 1920. However, natural disasters struck hard: On
March 23, 1913 (Easter Sunday), a devastating tornado hit at around 9:45
p.m., destroying over 300 homes, killing 21 people, and injuring 250.
Damages were estimated at $1–2 million (equivalent to $32–65 million
today), and it remains one of Indiana's deadliest tornadoes. Compounding
the tragedy, heavy rains led to the Great Flood of 1913, submerging much
of West Terre Haute.
The 1920s saw economic highs from railroads and
manufacturing, but Prohibition (1920–1933) crippled distilleries and
breweries, while the decline of railroad repair work foreshadowed
broader downturns. The Great Depression caused a population dip to
62,810 by 1930, with widespread unemployment. In 1940, the federal
government selected Terre Haute for a new penitentiary on 1,126 acres
south of the city, which later became the Federal Correctional Complex,
including a death row facility.
World War II revitalized the economy:
Three ordnance plants were built in Vigo County, boosting coal mining,
railroads, and agriculture. The city supported the war effort through
troop deployments, victory gardens, bond drives, civil defense, and the
opening of a USO facility in 1943—the 100th in the nation. Post-war,
population stabilized around 64,214 in 1950.
Post-War Boom,
Decline, and Revitalization (1950–2000)
The mid-20th century brought
industrial diversification and suburbanization. New factories included
Pfizer (1948), Allis-Chalmers (1951), Columbia Records (1954), and
Anaconda Aluminum (1959), contributing to a population high of 71,786 in
1960. However, the construction of Interstate 70 in the late 1960s,
bypassing downtown about 5 miles south, shifted commerce to the U.S. 41
interchange. The opening of Honey Creek Mall in 1968 further drew
businesses away from the city center, leading to urban decay.
Population declined steadily: 70,335 in 1970, 61,125 in 1980, and 57,483
in 1990. Economic challenges stemmed from manufacturing closures and
outmigration, but initiatives like the Terre Haute Committee for Area
Progress (1970s) developed Fort Harrison Industrial Park. The mid-1980s
"Grow Terre Haute" campaign attracted new investments, including Sony's
Digital Audio Disc Corporation (the first U.S. CD factory).
Infrastructure improvements, such as railroad overpasses and enhanced
law enforcement, earned national recognition for volunteerism.
By the
1990s, Vigo County Industrial Park hosted companies like Companhia
Siderúrgica Nacional (steel), Staples (distribution), Advics (brakes),
ThyssenKrupp Presta (steering systems), and CertainTeed (fiber cement).
Downtown revitalization began with tax increment financing districts,
new parking, and headquarters for First Financial Bank. Population
rebounded slightly to 59,614 in 2000.
21st Century: Modern
Developments and Cultural Renaissance (2000–Present)
Entering the new
millennium, Terre Haute focused on education, tourism, and economic
diversification. Higher education institutions like Indiana State
University (ISU), Rose-Hulman, and Ivy Tech became major employers.
ISU's Scott College of Business renovated a 1930s Federal Building in
2010, and partnerships led to downtown student housing by 2015.
Population hovered around 60,785 in 2010 and 58,389 in 2020.
Revitalization efforts accelerated: Nonprofit Downtown Terre Haute
spurred growth with new hotels, businesses at the "Crossroads of
America" (7th and Wabash Avenues), festivals, and building rehabs like
Hulman & Company. A $25 million convention center opened in 2021. In
2019, voters approved a casino on the east side near U.S. Route 40 and
Indiana Route 46, which debuted in March 2024. The city earned the 2010
Indiana Chamber of Commerce "Community of the Year" award for these
efforts.
Culturally, Terre Haute boasts museums like the Swope Art
Museum (free since 1942), Terre Haute Children's Museum (2010), Clabber
Girl Museum (baking history), CANDLES Holocaust Museum, and the Eugene
V. Debs House (National Historic Landmark). Performing arts thrive
through the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (since 1926), Community
Theatre (1928), and festivals like Blues at the Crossroads. Sports
include the Terre Haute Rex baseball team and the LaVern Gibson
Cross-Country Course, a frequent NCAA host. Parks exceed 1,000 acres,
with highlights like Deming Park and Dobbs Park Nature Center.
Politically, Democrat Brandon Sakbun became mayor in January 2024,
defeating incumbent Duke Bennett. The city's motto, "A Level Above,"
reflects ongoing aspirations amid challenges like population
stabilization and economic adaptation.
Notable Figures and
Lasting Legacy
Terre Haute has produced influential individuals
across fields. Socialist leader Eugene V. Debs, a five-time presidential
candidate, lived there; his home is now a museum. Songwriter Paul
Dresser composed Indiana's state song "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far
Away." Authors include Theodore Dreiser (Sister Carrie) and Max Ehrmann
("Desiderata"). Baseball Hall of Famers Mordecai Brown and Max Carey
hailed from the area, as did pitcher Tommy John and NBA player Terry
Dischinger. Other notables: musician/actor Scatman Crothers, U.S.
Senator Birch Bayh, aerospace engineer Abe Silverstein, author Philip
José Farmer, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman.
Terre Haute is located in Vigo County, western Indiana, along the eastern bank of the Wabash River. It sits approximately 75 miles (121 km) west of Indianapolis, about 5 miles east of the Illinois state border, and within 185 miles of major cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, and Cincinnati. The city serves as a regional hub in the Wabash Valley and is positioned at the intersection of key roadways, including U.S. Route 40 (Wabash Avenue) and U.S. Route 41 (3rd Street). Interstate 70 runs about 5 miles south of the city. According to the 2010 census data, Terre Haute spans 35.272 square miles, with 34.95 square miles of land and 0.732 square miles (2.08%) of water. Its elevation is approximately 505 feet (154 meters) above sea level, with low water in the Wabash River at Terre Haute measuring about 445 feet above sea level. The name "Terre Haute," French for "highland," reflects its position on elevated ground above the river, historically significant as a border area with Wea Indian orchards and meadows south of Fort Harrison.
The topography of Terre Haute is dominated by the Wabash River valley, which occupies the western third of Vigo County and divides it into eastern and western sections. The river valley is 4-6 miles wide, with a flood plain rising 14-20 feet above low water, second bottoms at 10-15 feet higher, and a terrace at 50-80 feet. Small bluffs mark the eastern edge of the historic flood plain, while highlands on either side rise 100-200 feet above the river, featuring abrupt bluffs in some areas. The city itself is built on gently undulating uplands with a double slope, and elevations vary across the region— for instance, Union Station in Terre Haute is at 492 feet, Coal Bluff at 553 feet, and Yaw's Hill at 673 feet. Tributary valleys, such as those of Brouillett's Creek, Coal Creek, Sugar Creek, Clear Creek, and Hawk Creek, are 0.25-0.5 miles wide and 30-80 feet deep. In specific townships around Terre Haute, like Fayette, the landscape includes rounded hills from the Wisconsin Moraine, while areas like Sugar Creek feature deep, narrow valleys (70-100 feet) and broken lands with bluffs. The surrounding Wabash Valley includes communities like West Terre Haute across the river and Lawrenceville, Illinois, to the west.
The Wabash River is the primary hydrological feature, forming Terre Haute's western border and flowing southwest through Vigo County. At ordinary stages, the river is about 600 feet wide in the city, with its bed rock lying 80-120 feet below the surface in ancient channels filled with sand, gravel, and boulder clay. Lost Creek drains the northern sections of the city, while Honey Creek handles the southern areas; other tributaries include Otter Creek, Sugar Creek, and Raccoon Creek, which follow old glacial channels. The county is primarily drained by the Wabash system, though some eastern areas feed into the Eel River via Splunge Creek. Historical flooding has shaped the landscape, notably during the Great Flood of 1913, when heavy rains submerged three-quarters of West Terre Haute. Ancient river channels, 100-250 feet deep, occupy half the area and are partly filled with glacial debris, leading to irregular terraces and marshes in places like Prairie Creek Township.
Vigo County's geology, including Terre Haute, is part of the eastern slope of the central North American valley, shaped by Carboniferous Period rocks and Quaternary glacial deposits. The strata dip gently west and south, with local variations, and are obscured by ancient drainage channels 100-250 feet deep. Primary outcropping rocks are Carboniferous sandstones, shales, limestones, and 13-14 coal seams. A generalized stratigraphic section includes surface soils and subsoils (10 feet), boulder clay (20 feet), shales with sandstone (50 feet), variable limestones (1-8 feet), and multiple coal seams like "O" (3-5 feet), "N" (3-5 feet), "M" (1-6 feet), and "L" (5-7 feet, the main vein). Deeper wells in Terre Haute reveal additional layers, such as sand/gravel (80-130 feet), soapstone (6-10 feet), more coals ("I," "G," "F," "B," "A"), and thick limestones (300-500 feet) possibly from the Niagara or Corniferous groups, with oil at depths of 1,569-1,628 feet. Glacial influences from the ice sheet (reaching near the Ohio River) deposited boulder clay (till) up to 150 feet thick, filling old channels, with later Wisconsin Moraine effects in the northwest. No Triassic, Jurassic, or Cretaceous rocks are present, having been eroded away, while Subcarboniferous groups (like Knobstone and Keokuk) lie to the east.
Soils in the Terre Haute area are mostly of glacial origin. Upland soils consist of fine white clay topsoil (silica-rich, 8-24 inches thick, from fluvio-lacustrine loess) over yellow clay subsoil from oxidized boulder clay, transitioning to hard pan over bedrock. Valley soils are alluvial sands, clays, and fertile black prairie soils on sand/gravel subsoils, with sandy or silty terraces leading to marshes. Eastern bluffs feature loess deposits, while areas between Otter and Raccoon Creeks have sand dunes. In the Splunge Creek area, soils overlay ancient lake beds, and alluvial clays in flood plains are porous and fertile (silica 66.11%, alumina 13.78%).
Natural resources include abundant coal seams (e.g., "L" with high fixed carbon 44-56% and heating value of 6,656 calories/kg), historically mined in townships around Terre Haute. Oil and natural gas are present in deeper limestones, with notable production from wells like the Phenix (1,800 barrels/month in the late 19th century) and gushers in 1888; an oil well was drilled downtown in 2013. Other minerals include ironstone nodules (used historically in furnaces), gypsum crystals in shales, quarriable limestone for building and roads, and sandstone for glass sand. Salt and sulphur waters are common in wells, with gas under pressure used as fuel. No major metallic minerals like copper or silver are found in paying quantities.
Environmentally, Terre Haute is part of a glaciated landscape with post-glacial lakes and marshes from the Champlain Period, followed by slight regional elevation. The area has been affected by major events, including the 1913 tornado outbreak (March 23), which killed 21 people, injured 250, and caused significant damage, followed by the Great Flood of 1913. Urban forestry efforts have earned the city Tree City USA status since 1999. Ancient river channels and glacial deposits contribute to uneven flood plains with ponds, while anticlines suggest potential for further resource exploration.
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