Salamonie Trail

Salamonie Trail

13 mile or 20 mile 

(see policy for more information)

Bloodroot Trail / Salamonie Reservoir

AREA HISTORY

Northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio once was occupied by the Miami Indians. The Wabash River was used widely by Indians to reach their destinations. 

The Miami people called the river, WAH-BAH-SHIK-KI, meaning bright and clear. Downstream of the reservoir on the Salamonie River, where it meets the Wabash is a small town called Lagro. Lagro was an Indian Trading Post deriving its name from the old French-Indian (Miami) Chief, Le Gros. The government gave him several sections of land in 1828 and built him a brick house, which was the first house in Lagro. 

In 1958 the 85th Congress approved the Flood Control Act authorizing the Salamonie Reservoir Project. Construction of the reservoir began in 1961. The area covers approximately 12,187 acres, with the lake stretching over about 3,000 acres, The dam is 133 feet high, 6,100 feet long and 916 feet wide at its base and is earth filled. Changes made to the area by the construction of the reservoir involved relocation of four cemeteries having a total of 2,652 graves. The small towns of Dora, New Holland and Monument City were also relocated. The Salamonie Reservoir dam was completed in 1965.