The Potawatomi-Miami Trail

A major trail passed through Elkhart County, Indiana, between what is now Fort Wayne and Chicago. For centuries the Potawatomi, Miami and other Woodlands People used this trail as a trade route to carry goods between the Maumee River and Lake Michigan. Much of the trail is within the Saint Joseph River Watershed. This trail also became the route that white settlers used to come into the Elkhart County region during the early 1800s. 

Marking the Trail

The trail markers group is working to memorialize this historic trail and recognize the Indigenous People by creating a trail marker system along the route it took through Elkhart County. The group chose the name Potawatomi-Miami Trail to honor the two main groups of this region who were using this trail prior to European settlers arriving. The Indigenous people referred to the trail in a variety of terms rather than having a singular name for the route. Their languages use many action words so the name of the trail depended on the direction they were traveling and where they were in relation to the trail. The trail markers group received input from Potawatomi and Miami cultural leaders in determining the best name to use, as well as the design for the trail sign and logo (see below). The use of the words “Bodewadmi” and “Myaamia” in large font on the signs shows the names the Potawatomi and Miami in their languages. (See list of where trail signs have been placed.) (See photos of trail signs at several locations.)