Indiana

David Thompson, born in 1793, knew how to take advantage of an opportunity. As a reward for fighting in the war of 1812, he received a land grant on the Grand River which was shortly to become the site of the Grand River Canal. David made a fortune working as a contractor on the canal and went on to become a major shareholder in the Grand River Navigation Co. When the village of Indiana (also spelled Indianna), located at the foot of the Thompson estate, was established as the first lock station, the future couldn't have looked more promising.