Southern Indiana is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the southern third of the U.S. state of Indiana and borders the states of Illinois to the west, Kentucky to the south, and Ohio to the east. Spanning the state's southernmost 33 counties, its main population centers include Southwestern Indiana (anchored by the city of Evansville ), the Louisville metropolitan area (south), and the Cincinnati metropolitan area (southeast). The region's history and geography have led to a blending of Southern and Midwestern cultures, distinct from the rest of the state. It is often considered to be part of the Upland South and the Southern influenced Lower Midwest.
61-519: The Wabash and Ohio rivers form the region's western and southern boundaries, respectively. Elevation ranges from around 360 feet (110 m) above mean sea level at the rivers' confluence to 1,060 feet (320 m) at the highest point in the Knobstone Escarpment . Southern Indiana's topography is considerably more varied than Central and Northern Indiana , including large tracts of forest, rolling hills, and karst caves. The region
122-776: A loosening in border restrictions. 10 games were played in Québec City and 11 in Trois-Rivières. They did not play in Ottawa due to COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario . On October 6, 2021, the owners of the Southern Illinois Miners , Jayne and John Simmons, announced they would be retiring from professional baseball to spend more time with family and the Miners would be ceasing operations and dropping out of
183-462: A maze-like quality in the first seventeen-mile (27 km) stretch as it enters Indiana. At mile forty-five, the river becomes straighter with few sharp bends. An additional seventeen tributaries raise the depth of the river considerably, making it navigable for larger vessels. At mile fifty-nine, the river passes through Ouabache State Park , where it begins to widen and become more shallow. The white limestone river bottom can sometimes be seen in
244-512: A minimum of ten of the 24-man roster are required to be rookies. Typically, teams play a 96-game regular season from May to September. The Frontier League uses a salary cap . As of the 2023 season, clubs had a maximum spend of US$ 365,000 on player compensation, with a minimum salary of $ 13,800 per player. Veterans could earn up to $ 22,800, and each team's highest-paid player could make as much as $ 27,300. For players aged 23 and younger on standard contracts, only 50% of their salary counts towards
305-462: A panhandle between the river and Posey County . From the tail southward there are several cut-offs from the river, resulting in several natural exclaves between Indiana and Illinois, the largest of which is at Grayville . A flood caused the river to change course, disconnecting a two-mile (3 km) long stretch of the river and creating a lake entirely on the Illinois side. Between these exclaves
366-524: A state boundary line with Indiana for the remainder of its course. At Darwin , a farmer's cooperative operates the Wabash's only ferry service. It is used to take heavy farm equipment across the river. South of Darwin, beginning at mile 410 a large bluff gradually rises, eventually towering two-hundred feet over the river. The area is one of the most remote of the river, and it generally gives onto open land. The area becomes more densely populated as it nears
427-689: A successful alternative to the Pittsburgh Pirates due to the latter franchise's long stretch of losing seasons, which lasted from the Frontier League's founding in 1993 until 2013 when the Pirates finished with a record of 94–68. On October 16, 2019, it was announced that the Frontier League would be merging with the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , absorbing five of its teams to form
488-747: Is a 503-mile-long (810 km) river that drains most of the state of Indiana , and a significant part of Illinois , in the United States . It flows from the headwaters in Ohio , near the Indiana border, then southwest across northern Indiana turning south near the Illinois border, where the southern portion forms the Indiana-Illinois border before flowing into the Ohio River . It
549-683: Is also home to the oldest exposed Devonian fossil beds in the world at the Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area . Situated in the Wabash Valley seismic zone , Southwestern Indiana is at elevated risk for earthquakes. Southern Indiana, home to about 1.4 million people, was the first area of the state to be settled by European colonists. Founded in 1732, Vincennes is the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in Indiana and served as
610-604: Is primarily centered on the Louisville metropolitan area . Counties typically considered part of the Kentuckiana sub-region include: Southwestern Indiana observes Central Time , including Posey , Vanderburgh , Warrick , Spencer , and Gibson counties. The rest of Southern Indiana observes Eastern Time . Southern Indiana also differs from the rest of the state linguistically. Southern dialect and South Midland dialect of American English are prevalent, as opposed to
671-480: Is the historic town of New Harmony , a settlement created by Utopians during the 1810s. It is joined by the Black River on the Indiana side. At mile 460, the river again splits into several channels. The area features sandy beaches and the largest islands in the river, some a mile in length. The Little Wabash River , another major tributary, joins at mile 482 on the Illinois side, near New Haven . At mile 491
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#1732800715062732-621: Is the largest topographical feature in Allen County, Indiana . When the ice melted completely from the region, new outlets for Lake Maumee's water opened up at elevations lower than the Wabash-Erie Channel. While the St. Joseph and St. Marys Rivers continued to flow through the channel, Lake Maumee no longer did. Now a low-lying, probably marshy bit of terrain lay in between. It is not known for certain when, but at some point in
793-571: Is the largest northern tributary of the Ohio River and third largest overall, behind the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. From the dam near Huntington, Indiana , to its terminus at the Ohio River, the Wabash flows freely for 411 miles (661 km) The Tippecanoe River , White River , Embarras River and Little Wabash River are major tributaries. The river's name comes from a Miami word meaning "water over white stones", as its bottom
854-556: Is white limestone, now obscured by mud. The Wabash is the state river of Indiana , and subject of the state song " On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away " by Paul Dresser . Two counties (in Indiana and Illinois ); eight townships in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; one Illinois precinct , one city , one town , two colleges , one high school , one canal , one former class I railroad , several bridges and avenues are all named for
915-628: The Attack on Fort Recovery (1794), the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811), and the Siege of Fort Harrison (1812). Several different conflicts have been referred to as the " Battle of the Wabash ". A 329-acre (133 ha) remnant of the old-growth forests that once bordered the Wabash can be found at Beall Woods State Park , near Mount Carmel, Illinois . In the mid-19th century, the Wabash and Erie Canal , one of
976-761: The Boston Red Sox . Although the league does not have any teams located in the same city as Major League teams, it does nonetheless have teams located within the markets of Major League teams. The Chicago area has three teams ( Joliet Slammers , Schaumburg Boomers and Windy City ThunderBolts ), as does the New York area ( New Jersey Jackals , Sussex County Miners , and New York Boulders ), and St. Louis ( Gateway Grizzlies ), Cleveland ( Lake Erie Crushers ), Cincinnati ( Florence Y'alls ) and Pittsburgh ( Washington Wild Things ) each have one. The Wild Things, in particular, have been able to market themselves as
1037-602: The Gulf of Mexico via the Wabash; it served as a vital trade route for North American-French trade and was the river they knew best. In the 18th century, the profitable 8-mile portage between the Maumee River and the Wabash was controlled by the Miami people at Kekionga . The United States has fought five colonial and frontier-era battles on or near the river: the Battle of Vincennes (1779), St. Clair's Defeat (1791),
1098-712: The Inland North dialect in far Northern Indiana and the North Midland dialect in Central and North-Central Indiana. Southern Indiana is the northernmost extent of the South Midland region, forming what linguists refer to as the " Hoosier Apex" of the South Midland dialect. About 12 accredited institutions of higher education are located throughout Southern Indiana, including some private, liberal arts colleges and multiple public university campuses, including
1159-827: The Johnnies ), Richmond Roosters in 2001 and 2002, Windy City in 2007 and 2008, the Joliet Slammers in 2011 and 2018, and the Evansville Otters in 2006 and 2016. With four titles, the Schaumburg Boomers have won the most league championships. On June 20, 2000, Brian Tollberg debuted with the San Diego Padres , becoming the first player from the Frontier League to make it to the Majors. A week later, Morgan Burkhart made his debut with
1220-585: The St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers. Their combined discharge was probably the primary source of water for the proglacial Wabash River system. As the Erie Lobe of the glacier continued to retreat, its meltwater was temporarily trapped between the ice front to the east and the Fort Wayne Moraine to the west, and formed pro glacial Lake Maumee , the ancestor of modern Lake Erie . Around 11,000 years ago
1281-467: The Texas Rangers affiliated Down East Wood Ducks . The two new franchises bring the league to 18 teams, the largest total in its history. The expansion also marks the league's first expansion into the deep south, with the previous southernmost team being the Evansville Otters . Commissioner Steven Tahsler announced a new scheduling format for the 2025 season. Instead of a two division model,
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#17328007150621342-893: The Trois-Rivières Aigles , and the Ottawa Titans would not compete in the 2021 season due to the prolonged closure of the Canada–United States border as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic . The Titans, the Aigles and the Capitales later joined forces to form a new team that competed as a member of the Atlantic Division. Known as Équipe Québec , they began the season as a traveling team , and starting on July 30, 2021, started sharing home games between Québec City and Trois-Rivières following
1403-620: The White River at Mount Carmel, Illinois , significantly increasing its size, to over 750 feet wide. Roughly a mile downstream, near the Gibson Generating Station , another large tributary, the Patoka River , also joins. During low water, there are rapids at the confluence, caused by an old canal lock that was abandoned after flooding. Further downstream, the river zig-zags, creating the "tail" of Gibson County,
1464-649: The Fort Wayne Outlet into the Maumee River since it was at a lower elevation than that of the sluiceway. This meant that when the flood waters receded, the sluiceway was permanently abandoned by the two rivers. As a result of capturing them both, the Maumee was converted from a minor creek to a large river. Once again, river waters flowed through the Fort Wayne Outlet, but now they flowed eastward, toward Lake Erie, instead of westward. Following this event,
1525-467: The Frontier League announced it would be adding two new teams. The first announcement came around the same time as the announcement of the partnership with Major League Baseball, as Ottawa was granted an expansion franchise in the league. The team, as chosen by fans in a contest, was named the Titans and will play at RCGT Park . Then, on January 8, 2021, after the reorganization of Minor League Baseball,
1586-705: The Frontier League. As a result, the league formed the Empire State Greys , to compete as a traveling team with a roster of players from the Empire Professional Baseball League . In September 2023, the league announced a new team, the New England Knockouts , were to play at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, Massachusetts, beginning with the 2024 season. This brought the total number of permanent members of
1647-594: The Indiana-Ohio border. The water source is farmland drainage. A half mile downstream (i.e. east), at a roadside park on Ohio 49 at the Mercer County line, is a historical marker that announces the river's start. This land is also the portage for headwaters of the Mississinewa River , Stillwater River and West Fork of the White River , which lie just a few miles away. Between the start of
1708-558: The Midwestern Division. The league had a partnership agreement with the California Winter League for player development. On September 24, 2020, Major League Baseball announced that it named the Frontier League an MLB Partner League . This enables collaboration with MLB to jointly discuss marketing and promotional initiatives to grow, expand, and enhance the game of baseball. For the 2021 season,
1769-708: The United States and 3 in Canada. The FL is one of the four independent baseball leagues that is considered to be an MLB Partner League , and the level of play is comparable to the High-A level. The league is headquartered in Sauget, Illinois . 25 distinct franchises had competed in the league. Its largest period of growth followed in 2020–21, when six teams from the ceased Can-Am and New York–Penn leagues joined alongside an expansion franchise. The Evansville Otters ,
1830-538: The Wabash at this point. Because of the dams on the Wabash, the Little River often carries more water than the Wabash. Additional minor tributaries raise the water level between Huntington and the city of Wabash . As the river passes Wabash and moves toward Peru , it splits, creating a series of islands; sandbars are common in the stretch. The river returns to a single channel at Peru, and flows through one of its most gentle stretches until reaching Logansport . Here
1891-490: The Wabash flows into the Ohio River near Hovey Lake . The Wabash is the 24th largest by discharge volume and 38th longest river in the United States. The major tributaries of the Wabash River include: right tributaries left tributaries The Wabash River supports an abundant and diverse wildlife population. At least 150 species of birds have been sighted around the river. The waterfowl are most dependent on
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1952-451: The area, whereas it is not visible due to pollution elsewhere downstream. As the river exits the park and flows toward the city of Bluffton near mile sixty-six, it widens further, becoming more shallow; only a narrow channel is navigable by larger vessels. The river remains shallow and somewhat rocky with minor rapids until mile seventy-one near the community of Murray . There the river becomes calm and deeper until mile eighty-one, due to
2013-487: The branch of the Wabash River that originates along the Wabash Moraine near Bluffton became the system's main course and source. For part of its course, the Wabash follows the path of the pre-glacial Teays River . The river has shifted course several times along the Indiana and Illinois border, creating cutoffs where parts of the river are entirely in either Indiana or Illinois. However, both states generally regard
2074-472: The city of Covington , the river begins flowing due south. The river is deep at this point, but there are several gravel bars between Covington and Terre Haute . Terre Haute, beginning at mile 300, is among the largest cities in Indiana. Although navigable by large ships in the past, the remainder of the river becomes shallow in places due to erosion and silt . The river gradually widens moving south. It borders Illinois beginning at mile 316, and serves as
2135-615: The city of Vincennes at mile 441. Founded by the French about 1720, Vincennes is the oldest European settlement in Indiana, and among the oldest in the American Midwest . The city is sited on a strategic bend in the river that allowed it to control river traffic. Four miles west, as the river turns southward, another major tributary, the Embarras River joins. Past Vincennes, the Wabash is joined by its largest tributary,
2196-632: The clarity of the river in Huntington County, Indiana , where the river bottom is limestone . As the Laurentide Ice Sheet began to retreat from present-day Northern Indiana and Northwest Ohio between 14,000 and 15,000 years ago, it receded into three distinct lobes. The eastern or Erie Lobe sat atop and behind the Fort Wayne Moraine . Meltwater from the glacier fed into two ice-marginal streams, which became
2257-401: The dam and levee at the town of Markle . The lock that was formerly at the site is abandoned and a narrow washout is the only means to bypass the dam. In the rocky washout the river level drops four feet, making it one of the most dangerous points on the river. Boaters are advised to exit the river and reembark on the other side of the dam rather than traverse the washout. At mile eighty-nine,
2318-408: The distant past the St. Joseph and St. Marys Rivers jumped their banks and flooded the marshy ground of the Fort Wayne Outlet. The discharge of this unusual flood was enough to cut across the outlet and come into contact with the headwaters of the Maumee River. Once this happened, the flood waters rushed to the east into the Maumee River, and their erosive force was enough that the new channel cut across
2379-554: The first capital of the Indiana Territory ; Corydon would later serve as the state's first capital. Protected areas include Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area , George Rogers Clark National Historical Park , Hoosier National Forest , and the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial . Southern Indiana is home to about a dozen higher education institutions, including Indiana University Bloomington ,
2440-687: The flagship campus of the Indiana University system, IU Bloomington . The "‡" symbol indicates universities with main campuses outside Southern Indiana. There are two professional sports teams in the region, both located in Evansville – the Evansville Thunderbolts (founded in 2018), and the Evansville Otters (founded in 1995) play in baseball's independent Frontier League . Wabash River The Wabash River / ˈ w ɔː b æ ʃ / ( French : Ouabache )
2501-692: The flagship campus of the Indiana University system. The Catholic Church has a significant presence in the region, including Saint Meinrad Archabbey , the Monastery Immaculate Conception , and Mount Saint Francis. The region is split between the Eastern and Central time zones . Kentuckiana, a portmanteau of " Kentucky " and " Indiana ", is a loosely defined sub-region of the Upland South that spans north-central Kentucky and Southern Indiana's south-central counties. It
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2562-530: The large Huntington Dam blocks the river. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers to make a reservoir, the dam creates the J. Edward Roush Lake . The lake is surrounded by park land and recreation areas and is about five miles (8 km) in length and a mile wide at its widest point. The mile-long stretch after the Huntington Dam is rarely navigable. No lock connects the two sections of the river, and
2623-403: The largest independent professional baseball league. This added the New Jersey Jackals , New York Boulders , Quebec Capitales , Sussex County Miners , and Trois-Rivieres Aigles to the league; the Ottawa Champions , the last remaining Can-Am League team, was not invited to participate. The divisions were renamed, with the easternmost teams playing in the Can-Am Division and the westernmost in
2684-441: The late 19th century, erosion due to farming and runoff made the Wabash impassable to such ships. Dredging could have resolved the problem, but was not undertaken because railroads had become the preferred form of transport. The 200-mile stretch south of Terre Haute includes several inoperable swing bridges . The Wabash River rises 4 miles south of Fort Recovery, Ohio , very near the Darke-Mercer County line about 1.5 miles east of
2745-413: The league added the Tri-City ValleyCats , which were one of several teams that were orphaned or disbanded when the New York-Penn League was folded. The Titans and ValleyCats joined the five former Can-Am League teams and Washington in the Can-Am Division; to even the divisions at seven teams, Lake Erie was moved to the Midwestern Division. In April 2021, the league announced that the Québec Capitales ,
2806-416: The league champion. The Frontier League was founded in 1993. It initially struggled to retain franchises, with four of its eight founding teams folding within three seasons, though steadily grew to twelve teams within a decade. The first league champions were the Zanesville Greys . Eight teams have won more than one championship: Springfield in 1996 and 1998; Johnstown in 1995 (as the Steal ) and in 2000 (as
2867-415: The league to sixteen teams. In September 2024, the league announced an expansion to Mississippi and North Carolina. An as yet unnamed expansion franchise was awarded to Pearl, Mississippi , following the departure of the Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliate the Mississippi Braves . The Down East Bird Dawgs, a new team in Kinston, North Carolina , will play in Grainger Stadium , which was formerly home of
2928-507: The league will revert to the 2021 setup; 2 conferences with 4 divisions. Mississippi will be playing in the West Division of the Midwest Conference while Down East will be in the East Division of the Atlantic Conference. Teams in the Frontier League must recruit and sign their own players, who usually are undrafted college players or one-time prospects who have been released by their teams. Frontier League rules limit teams to three "veterans" (Players older than 29 years as of October 1), while
2989-421: The longest canals in the world, was built along much of the river. Portions are still accessible in modern times, but most of the abandoned canal no longer exists. Its contribution to transportation was surpassed by construction of competing railroads. The Wabash River between Terre Haute and the Ohio River was navigable by large ships during much of the 19th century, and was a regular stop for steamships. By
3050-414: The middle of the river as the state border. The Wabash was first mapped by French explorers to the Mississippi in the latter half of the 17th century, including the sections now known as the Ohio River . The Wabash is considered a tributary of the Ohio River. Until the mid-18th century, however, the Ohio was considered a tributary of the Wabash. French traders had traveled north and south from Canada to
3111-420: The only one of the original eight franchises still playing today, is the longest tenured team in the league, while the Schaumburg Boomers have won the most championships. The FL's regular season is typically held from May to September, with each team playing 96 games. Following the conclusion of the regular season, 8 teams advance to the playoffs, a three tournament that runs approximately two weeks to determine
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#17328007150623172-411: The river again splits into multiple channels, divided by islands. Some of the channels are narrow and rocky, while the larger channels are navigable. Between Logansport and Delphi , at mile 176, is one of the few remaining stretches of the Wabash and Erie canal. It can be accessed at Delphi. Just past Delphi, the Wabash's second major tributary, the Tippecanoe River , joins the river. The confluence of
3233-422: The river and Fort Recovery, the current is swift and the water remains very shallow and follows a poorly defined channel. The shallow depth and low bridge clearances make the section nearly impassable by boat except in the most ideal conditions. At mile seven and mile nine, two tributaries give the river a significant boost in volume, and at mile eleven the river flows past Fort Recovery. Two more tributaries add to
3294-497: The river itself while four US Navy warships are either named for the river or the numerous battles that took place on or near it. The name Wabash is an English transliteration spelling of the French name for the river, Ouabache . French traders had adopted the Miami-Illinois word for the river, waapaahšiiki , meaning 'it shines white', 'pure white', or 'water over white stones', and attempted to spell it according to their own phonetic system. The Miami name expressed
3355-404: The river's volume between Fort Recovery and Macedon at mile eighteen, making the river navigable for the remainder of its course. The river continues to flow northward passing the community of Wabash at mile twenty-three and then cutting sharply west, crossing into Indiana at mile twenty-eight. Upon entering Indiana, the river has many sharp turns; these regularly lead to log jams that can block
3416-450: The river's watershed including the American bullfrog and the eastern newt . Crayfish are also common throughout the river. Notes Bibliography 37°47′53″N 88°1′38″W / 37.79806°N 88.02722°W / 37.79806; -88.02722 Frontier League The Frontier League ( FL ; French : Ligue Frontière, LF ) is a professional baseball league in North America consisting of 18 teams – 15 in
3477-402: The river. Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned night heron , and merlin inhabit the area. Several species of shorebirds build nest on or near the banks of the river. The river is home to many species of fish including species of bass , sunfish , crappie , catfish , carp , and others. Aquatic reptiles including snakes and turtles also occur in the river. A number of amphibians occur throughout
3538-429: The river. Because of the many turns in the river, during the 1830s, the state created several separate canal channels to shorten the journey between the state line and Fort Wayne as part of the Wabash and Erie Canal project. The canals were abandoned after competing railroads took over; this allowed the river to shift courses several times, resulting in the formation of many cut-offs and coves with no outlet. The river has
3599-413: The two rivers is part of Prophetstown State Park , the site of the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe . The flow of the Tippecanoe into the Wabash raises its level dramatically. At this point, most large power boats can easily navigate the river at cruising speed. The river passes the city of Lafayette at mile 210 and gradually begins to end its westward flow, beginning a wide turn to the south. At mile 241, at
3660-405: The water is often very shallow. A second smaller dam at mile ninety-one presents a dangerous hazard, and the section between it and the Huntington Dam has been closed to boaters. At mile ninety-three the river is joined by its first major tributary, the Little River . The city of Huntington developed at the confluence of the two rivers. The tributary dramatically increases the volume of water in
3721-409: The waters of Lake Maumee became deep enough that it breached a " sag " or weak spot in the Fort Wayne Moraine. This caused a catastrophic draining of the lake, which in turn scoured a 1 to 2 mi (1.6 to 3.2 km) wide valley known as the Wabash-Erie Channel or "sluiceway". The Little (Wabash) River flows through this channel. U.S. 24 traverses it between Fort Wayne and Huntington. The valley
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