Columbia City to near Collamer Indiana

Eel River Trail Mission Statement

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The Friends of the Eel River Trail is a non-profit citizen group. Our initial goal is to convert the historic Eel River Railroad line extending from Columbia City to South Whitley, Indiana into a trail for the safe, recreational enjoyment and health of everyone. The planned rail trail envisions educational opportunities and positive economic impact on Whitley County.

(Click to Enlarge) Steam locomotive used occasionally on Eel River Line in 1940's and 1950's (Photo courtesy of Bill Kilgore)

Purposes or Uses of the Trail

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The 10 mile rail trail's intended uses are for walking, jogging, bicycling, in-line skating and wheelchairs. Birdwatchers are also interested in this mostly wooded rail trail route through the countryside. In addition, there are public schools on or accessible to both ends of the trail which will afford use for sports training as well as outdoor math and science educational opportunities.

An important dimension of this trail is its uniqueness. It is Whitley County's only abandoned rail line. This rail line was built in the 1860's, and preservation of this transportation corridor serves to connect the past to the present.

Since the rail line is nearly flat, a rail trail on this route makes a very desirable platform for pleasant, healthful exercise and recreation. Safety concerns for those who exercise are answered by this form of off-road exercise that rail trails offer. On this trail, there are just five road crossings between Columbia City and South Whitley, for example.

Rails to Trails:

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The Eel River Trail, needs only an 18-24 foot wide corridor for the actual trail on the rail bed where the tracks once lay. That includes a 10-12 foot wide paved trail, plus a mowed buffer on each side of the trail, to keep brush and trees away from the trail. The rail line corridor is 100 feet in width. An easement from property owners is all that is necessary to bring the effort together. Nearly half of the rail line property between Columbia City and South Whitely is owned by the railroad. The State of Indiana is interested in catching up to Ohio and Michigan in the area of multi-use rail trails, and is in process of purchasing nearly 300 miles of abandoned rail bed through the Department of Natural Resources, for the express purpose of rail trails.

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