Greenfield Project Notifications

 
Under construction icon
See the current status of ongoing City improvment projects current, and upcoming.
 
Under construction icon
 

History of Potts Ditch - October 2014

City's are always changing, improving and moving forward. This is a big part of the reason why there is history to write about because we are always documenting these changes and improvements. People write historical articles and stories because they have found exact evidence and information and they wish to share it with everyone. Other times they write about a topic because there are tons of unanswered questions and writing about it can drum up conversations with a network of citizens so that a more complete history can be documented for the future. I guess that is where I'm at with this topic.

One big improvement that is taking place in the heart of Greenfield right now is the Potts Ditch construction. This project, as large as it may be, is not the first time it's gotten attention. As Greenfield has grown so have the ways we've dealt with the drainage in Potts Ditch.

There are many natural water ways that run through our county. They were a vital resource for our early settlers. In combing through history books to gather information about our drainage areas there are detailed lists of creeks and streams but then lumps everything else as not significant enough to discuss.

Drainage has always been a concern of our forefathers. In 1852 they passed ditch laws which provided money for installing tiles and building extention of ditches that may have naturally existed. They also provided the incorporation of drainage companys for the construction of larger outlets. Tile factories also began to open. The first such company was the Hancock Big Slash Draining Company which incorporated in 1861.

After the Civil War James H. Carr was named Drainage Commissioner and held that posts for many years.

Also during this time as many ditches as possible were being covered with tile. Historical writings discuss the Hollis Ditch, which runs in the northern and eastern part of Center Township and the Briney ditch, which also runs in the eastern part of Center Township, but no mention of Potts Ditch.

We know that Potts Ditch was named after John Potts. Unfortunately no historic writings discuss Mr. Potts. It is listed that Alfred Potts was County Assessor in 1892. You would assume they were related. Marriage records show a Isaac Potts married Caroline Wilette on Oct. 13th, 1831.

Most people might look at Potts Ditch as an eyesore and a nusance but in the early development of Greenfield the downtown area was looked at as a place of beauty. It was described in writings as the "hollow" and in connection with a spring located close by it apparently provided quit a visual, peaceful setting in the area of North St. just east of East Street and east of the Greenfield Christian Church. When it crossed the National Road, which is today immediately east of the Hancock County Humane Society building stone arches were built. This area was described as a favorite playground for the children of the town. When part of the "hollow" was filled in across North Street to the National Road it was viewed with a sense of disappointment by the many of the older citizens. Upon learning of the proposed improvements, one of the Crawfords is said to have remarked that he never cared to visit Greenfield again.

 2014-10-1

Bridge archway on Potts Ditch

 

Oscar Meek, who was born in Greenfield in 1829, recalled going with his mother to the branch to fill their kettles because of the abundance of water. They would do their washing there also.

2014-10-2

 

Potts Ditch starts in the middle of a field south of 300 N. owned by Bob Frost. It snakes its way through town for approximately five miles and connects to Brandywine Creek just south of Osage Street on property owned by the Johnson family.

Part of Potts Ditch run underground. The closed portion starts at Fourth Street and heads southeast under buildings and homes to south Spring Street. The tunnel floods in various places because the openings are not wide enough; debris in the ditch has sometimes made the flooding worse by becoming stuck in the tunnel's twists and turns.

2014-10-3

Brick walls of part of the underground section of Potts Ditch.

 

The ditch has seen many of heavy rains which has resulted in flooding in the downtown areas. Many improvements have been made to lessen that blow. Starting with the weir damn located on the ditch at McKenzie and Broadway. The grass area on the west side of Broadway, north of McKenzie is designed to flood and hold water that is controlled by the weir. This helps control the amount of water that makes it through the tight downtown areas. The construction that is taking place today is being done to help divide the amount of water that goes through that area even further.

2014-10-4

State Street Gym

 

This is a picture of the "State Street Gym" for Greenfield High School. This gym was built in 1921-22 and was the first home gymnasium for the Tigers. This gym was sat back form State Road 9 because at that time Potts Ditch was open and ran across the front of the property which is now home to Highsmiths Guns at 123 N. State Street. The wooden bridge leading to the front doors carries you over the ditch.

If you read my article on natural disasters I described some of these flooding events in more detail. One of those events occurred on Monday March 24th, 1913. The Fourth Street bridge over Potts Ditch was swept off its moorings and floated downstream. On State Street, the large front yard of the John Ward Walker home, known as Walker's Hill, was now a lake. Walker was a prominent local merchant and one of the founders of the Greenfield Banking Company in 1871. The Vawter and Selman homes, located on East St. behind the Post Office, had to be evacuated and were quickly overtaken by flood waters. The Selman barn looked like an island in the newly created waterway. The water ripped away all but one bridge, the East South Street bridge, the town's newest — created just the year before. An estimated 5 to 8 inches of rain fell in a 48 hour period. It was late March in Indiana. The winter of 1913 had been particularly harsh in the Hoosier state.

2014-10-5

Photo of recent flooding on North St.

 2014-10-6

Recent photo of flooding on 4th Streets

2014-10-7

Recent flooding on State Road 9 between Walnut and 4th Streets.

 

So Potts Ditch as well as our other ditches have played a vital role in the development of our community. It's funny how something that's so undocumented has had such an impact. It's been a vital source of water for our pioneers and it's played a vital role in drainage today. Ditches.....you love them when they drain your yard, but we hate them when they flood!

So if you have any stories, old pictures or information on John Potts I'd love to hear from you.

Greg Roland

Resources:
Richmond History of Hancock County
Binford History of Hancock County
USGS Topo

Community Calendar

happening clipart sm

Hydrant Flushing

hydrant-smThe Greenfield Water Utility will be performing a flushing program to clean the drinking water mains beginning March 25 2024.

readmore

TIP411

tip411 logoThe City of Greenfield's Police Department is pleased to announce the implementation of a cell phone and web-based application which will help the public connect with Officers to find information, view alerts, and submit anonymous tips from their smartphone.
 
readmore

Heavy Item Pickup

The City of Greenfield plans a two-week program to rid city properties of heavy items. Tyler Rankins Street Commissioner, announced that the 2024 Heavy Pick-up would be as follows:

readmore

Treatment Plant Progress

Under construction icon
** UPDATED January 17 2024 ** 
 
Follow along as we build the City's new Waste Water Treatment Plant.
 

Brush Drop Off and Mulch Areas are closed

Notice

The City brush, mulch, and compost area is closed until further notice due to construction activities.

Call before you dig

811Eng_sm

 

live stream

2024 Mowing Bids

The City of Greenfield is requesting bids from mowing contractors to provide mowing, trimming, bush-hogging, and trash removal services on properties in violation of local weed, trash, and zoning ordinances.
weeds
readmore
 

City Calendar Notice

note3

 The following meetings have been moved or cancelled for the month of March.

  • The Plan Commission meeting for March 11th 2024 has no new or old business and will not meet this month.
 

Frozen Pipes

frozenthermometerIt is that time of year and the temperatures are dipping below freezing again at night. Frozen water lines in our homes can be prevented.

Here some tips:
-Allow a small amount of water to run from multiple faucets.
-Shut off and drain outside water faucets before freezing occurs.
-Insulate walls nears exposed piping.


Winter is here and these tips will help make it less troublesome. You can read more about preventing frozen pipes by clicking on this link.

Water Line Replacement

service line replacement

The Greenfield Water Utility will be collecting an inventory survey of all water service line materials. Crews will be working now through Oct 2024. How can you help?

readmore

New Police Dept Contact Map

badge map icon
The Greenfield Police Department has created this interactive map to assist our community in communicating directly with officers. We ask that the community use this tool to report non emergency issues they are having around their residences rather than calling 911.
 
readmore

Greenfield In Gear

Greenfield in Gear IconListen up, Greenfield! Do you want to make a difference in our city? Our future? Well, we are proud to announce Greenfield’s new Comprehensive Plan – our growth and development roadmap for the year 2045. This plan presents a great opportunity for positive change in the community, and it needs YOUR voice!

readmore  

 

Minutes available online

City Council  and Board of Works minutes are available online by clicking the buttons below.
council-btn
bow-btn
 
 

Sanitary Sewer Cleaning

 

The Greenfield WasteWater Utility will be cleaning the sanitary sewers in Greenfield as an ongoing project. We will be removing debris and tree roots with a combination of high water pressure and tools designed to accomplish the job.

readmore

Police Bulletins

....Updated September 28....
icons8 police document 68Your Greenfield Police Department would like your help. 
 
Periodically, Police Bulletins will be posted asking for information on incidents currently under investigation. Please visit the Police Bulletins page, and check to see if you can help. Together, we can make our community safe.
 
readmore

Put your camera to work!

camera5

The Greenfield Police Department would like to partner with you to solve crime. If you have a home video surveillance system that may cover a driveway, sidewalk or roadway, we want to hear from you.

Follow the below link to list your camera with the Greenfield Police Department, and start fighting crime today!

Online Camera Registration

Special Events and Road Permits

Calendar icon
 
Having a special event?
 
Need a POD storage container or dumpster sat in the roadway?
 
Want to have a block party?
 
You may need a permit. Applications are available below. If you have any questions please contact the Greenfield Police Department.
 
 
Additional ordinances covering public permits can be found at the City's Code of Ordinances online.

City Services After Hours Emergency Numbers

Power & Light 800-377-5807
Sewer Dept 877-861-6077
Water Dept. 877-861-6081
Storm Water Hotline 317-325-1327
Parks Department Maintenance 317-325-1464

 

Contact City Hall

Greenfield City Hall
10 South State Street
Greenfield, IN 46140-2364

City Phone Directory

Mayor's Office - 317-477-4300
Clerk Treasurer - 317-477-4310
Utility Billing - 317-477-4330
Planning (Permits) - 317-477-4320
Street Department - 317-477-4380
Power and Light - 317-477-4370
Wastewater Department - 317-477-4360
Park Cemetery - 317-477-4387
Pothole Hotline - 317-325-1680
Parks and Recreation - 317-477-4340
Water Department - 317-477-4350
Animal Management - 317-477-4367