Aukiki River Festival

07/26/2024

07/05/2024

In my last Facebook posting I told you of Rowley and Bertha Morehouse. My research shows that Rowley Morehouse was arguably one of the highest respected and successful Kankakee River guides of the Kankakee Marsh. Rowley and Bertha’s home was across the Kankakee River from Baum’s Bridge. Their descendants still call Northwest Indiana their home. Their daughter, Mary Thatcher, kept up her family story for all of her life. Mary was interviewed by Laverne Terpstra, Transcribed by Shirley Zeck on November 19, 1992. This work was DeMotte-Kankakee Valley Rotary Club Oral History Project

Mary Morehouse-Thatcher was a Kankakee River fur trapper’s daughter. Mary was born on August 19, 1893 to Rowley and Bertha Lange Morehouse near Wheatfield, Jasper County, Indiana. The Morehouse farm was located across the Kankakee River from Baum’s Bridge. Mary’s story tells the details of being raised on a farm at the turn of the 20th century. This was the first female’s perspective of life in the Kankakee Marsh that I’ve come across. So many little things that we take for granted were labor intensive in the early 1900s. Bath taking is one example that Mary told about: “To take a bath, we took the wash tub behind the stove, (ha, ha) heat some water and crawl in there and take your bath. Then that all had to be dumped out. The next guy come along. My mother always put the boiler on when it come time to take baths. A couple times a week we took a bath. When she took out one to give a bath, she put a little more water in the boiler to keep hot water. Everybody had their baths. It was hard getting along in those days, I tell you.” But, male or female, everyone worked the farm. Mary talks about all aspects of farm life and its duties. Mary passed away on January 30, 1994 not far from where she was born in Jasper County, Indiana along the Kankakee River. Mary lived to see her one-hundredth birthday! Mary is pictured on right front in around 1910

Mary can be seen near the front of the buggy. Go here to read Mary’s life story: http://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=1405

06/28/2024

I a previous Facebook posting was about the Rowley and Bertha Morehouse 50th anniversary in 1937. Rowley was arguably one of the most knowledgeable and legendary characters of the old Kankakee River. Rowley was born in 1859 in Michigan. Around 1882 he moved to Jasper County, Indiana. Eventually, Morehouse owned 1000 acres along the Kankakee River south of Baum's Bridge.

Rowley farmed, timbered, trapped and hunted the Kankakee River. Trapping back then was a very lucrative business in the Kankakee Marsh. Morehouse stated "if I didn't get half a dozen mink or c**n in one day I didn't consider it a normal day at all." Hunting and acting as guide were other sources of income. "My brother William and I and two or three other hunters got 225 ducks and 21 geese in three days" said Morehouse.
Morehouse had about 700 acres under cultivation with the rest used for trapping and hunting. Kankakee River land was becoming more valuable and sought after. Just prior to WW I prices jumped from $12 an acre to as high as $175. One marsh land investor "announced that he would buy the whole county of Jasper if they would abolish the courthouse."

Morehouse was well acquainted with the rich and famous that came to the Kankakee Marsh. He was honored to count General Lew Wallace as one of his friends. "I have talked with him (Lew Wallace) on many occasions, and he has been my guest in my home many times... He seemed to like my stories and often urged me to tell them. At one point not more than 80 rods from Oxbow Bend he wrote 13 chapters of his famous story, Ben Hur.”

I think my favorite yarn told by Morehouse was the story of Chief Pokagon's granddaughter. In 1879 Morehouse lived at Houghton Lake, Michigan. "There were lots of Indians and I got acquainted with some and went down to their place every Saturday night and took a pint" said Morehouse. Later when Morehouse lived in Jasper County he "went to Valpo with a load of hogs. Going up the hill on Franklin Street I saw the Indians in camp there." He struck up a conversation with a young Indian lady. He asked her how she liked Valparaiso. She told him "Oh, fine, the men are so nice. They take me to Flint Lake and to Wanatah." Rowley asked her if she knew Chief Pokagon and she replied "He's my grandpa. They brag about my American blood when we visit." She told him that Chief Pokagon was at Flint Lake, but she could not join them because there was no room in the car. Being the gallant man he was, Rowley told her he would return later and take her to Flint Lake. He went home and told his wife that he was returning to Valpo that evening. "She thought she was going too, and asked me what was going on in Valpo. I told her I'd met an old pal and she asked me to come back tonight." The "she" is the key word here! "The wife’s lips turned blue and she said she wasn't going, and you ain't going either! It looks stormy and you have a bad cold. That was the end of the argument. I didn't go to Valpo.” So ended Rowley's escapade to Flint Lake!

Rowley Morehouse passed away on October 17, 1942 and is buried at the Kouts Graceland Cemetery.

06/07/2024

Day 2 of Collier Site Dig. The chert is huge!! Mystery continues. What is the 1/2 rod with curved end and why is it buried so deep?? Chime in with your guess. Enjoy reading and a few pics from today's dig.

05/29/2024

With our Collier Lodge site dig less than a week off, I thought you'd like to see a posting I made from last year's dig. Enjoy! You too can work our 2024 Collier Lodge site archaeological dig. Go here and fill out the dig applications and KVHS membership application: https://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=3017

05/24/2024

In “Alfred H. Meyer: The Life and Work of a Midwestern Geographer” it is stated that: “Meyer is perhaps most noted for his application of the sequent occupance concept in the historical geography of the Kankakee and Calumet.” I am still trying to better understand what the heck “sequent occupance” is. In the second of my four part River Bits series about Alfred H. Meyer I introduce you to Meyer’s thoughts on the subject. Go here to read my 2nd Meyer column at The Times website: http://www.nwitimes.com/.../article_fa0dbb07-3269-5615... Or here, at the KVHS website: http://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/Wordpress1.../... At the bottom of the KVHS 2nd Meyer column is a link to a more in depth definition of Sequent Occupance. The picture is of a cabin on the Kankakee east of Baum’s Bridge in about 1930.

05/22/2022

I hope that this posting finds you healthy and happy. COVID has affected our lives and businesses, creating lasting effects for 2022. It continues to impact the Kankakee Valley Historical Society, and our Aukiki River Festival reenactors and volunteers. Our KVHS Board of Directors have discussed this problem. Our Board does not feel we can provide the structure for an enjoyable experience for our guests for this year. Therefore, the Board has made the difficult decision to cancel the festival for 2022. Plans are in the works for great 2023 Aukiki River Festival!

Join us at our Collier Lodge Site Archaeological Dig. Observe the dig from June 6th through June 23rd, Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm, 1097 Baum’s Bridge Rd. Kouts, IN 46347.

We appreciate your understanding this decision.

06/02/2021

I hope this posting finds you healthy and happy. COVID has affected all our lives. Some more than others. The good news is that there is now a vaccination, and many have been fully vaccinated. Last year, due to COVID, the Kankakee Valley Historical Society needed to cancel all events and gatherings.

This spring, we held our Aukiki River Walk. It was a success and enjoyed by many as we were able to adapt the event to a “self-guided” tour. Providing for a safe and enjoyable event for guests and volunteers.

Our Board of Directors have discussed our Aukiki River Festival. Taking into consideration the greater number of volunteers, participants, and guests. At this time COVID rules have been eased, but some are still in place. After much consideration, our Board of Directors do not feel we can adapt the festival to adequately provide for all the festival needs, an enjoyable experience for our guests in a COVID safe environment for all. That being said, I regrettably announce the cancellation of our 2021 Aukiki River Festival, scheduled for August 28 and 29. Our hopes are that you understand our concerns and join us for a great 2022 Aukiki River Festival. Please join us for future KVHS activities.

04/20/2021

03/23/2021

Spring is on the way! Need to get out and commune with nature? We have an event for you.

The 2nd annual Aukiki River Walk is scheduled for May 1, 2021. This is a self-paced hike, and you are welcome to start anytime between 9 and 11 AM. The walk will be presented by the Kankakee Valley Historical Society and Porter County Parks and Recreation (PCPR). This 1.5-mile self-guided hike will allow you to set your own pace and start time. The trail will be well marked and will have stops along the way where you will be able to access short historical videos using your smart phone (camera or QR code reader required). Along the way, PCPR naturalists will be stationed to provide you with more information about the nature of the Kankakee River. Included will be information about the flora and fauna of the marsh. Also, a PCPR naturalist will be on hand to explain the conservation practices of the KVHS wetland restoration project the society is working on. Tickets can be purchased at the Kankakee Valley Historical Society website or purchased at the gate.

The trail will follow a rough dirt lane through the woods. Please bring insect repellant, good shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and any other personal items you may need for a hike.

Walk is $5 per ticket, children under 12 are free!

Walk start: 1097 Baum’s Bridge Rd. Kouts, IN

Go here to register and purchase tickets: https://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=2790

06/19/2020

With deep regrets, the KVHS Board of Directors have decided to cancel this year’s Aukiki River Festival. There are a number of reasons we have come to this decision. Mainly, it is our concern for the safety of our guests, participants and volunteers. We have already begun working on next year’s festival and it will be held on the weekend of August 28th & 29th, 2021. If there was any way that we felt comfortable on holding our festival this year, we would not have in clear conscience come to the decision to cancel. See you next year!

08/25/2019

The 12th annual Aukiki River Festival got off to a great start! Go here for pictures and videos from the first day: https://www.facebook.com/KankakeeValleyHistory/

08/23/2019

The M29 Weasel is the first of the 5th Armored Davison to arrive at our Aukiki River Festival. More to come throughout the day!