Torch relay route revealed through Putnam County

Zig-zagging its way across Putnam County over a three-hour period, the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will make its way from southwestern to northeastern Putnam County on Thursday, Sept. 22.

Part of the torch's 37-day, 3,200-mile journey through all 92 Indiana counties, the torch will be in Putnam County from 5-8 p.m.

Along the way, the torch will be carried past the Putnamville Church/Restored Doctor's office, Forest Hill Civil War Monument, DePauw University East College, the Putnam County Courthouse, People Pathways, Heritage Lake Dam and Baker's Camp Covered Bridge, among other scenic and historic spots.

Figure A

The route enters Putnam County from the west on U.S. 40 (See Figure A) before a turn to the north in Putnamville at Main Cross Street/County Road 75 West.

From there, the torch will wind its way through Warren and Greencastle townships to pass in front of Forest Hill Cemetery on Cemetery Road.

The route then turns right onto Veterans Memorial Highway and then left on Bloomington Street/U.S. 231. A jaunt west on Anderson Street, north on Locust and back west on Seminary will carry the torch through the DePauw University campus.

From there, the route heads north on Jackson Street, passing three sides of the Putnam County Courthouse square before heading east on Washington Street.

Figure B

After passing Greencastle High School, the torch will continue east on Avenue D, then north to Indianapolis Road before leaving the county seat via Calbert Way and the People Pathways Fillmore Trail (Figure B).

After turning north on Main Street in Fillmore, the route works its way northeast to Heritage Lake, where it will travel around the west side of the lake on Heritage Drive.

Leaving Heritage Lake, the torch will move toward Bainbridge on County Road 500 North and 275 East, eventually finding its way to U.S. 36/Pat Rady Way via Washington Street.

With one last dip to the south from U.S. 36, the torch will make its final Putnam County stop at Baker's Camp Covered Bridge before heading back to the highway and east into Hendricks County.

The torch relay route was charted by a task force of representatives from multiple state agencies and the private sector; including the departments of transportation, natural resources, state police, tourism, community and rural affairs and archives. Local organizing committees in each county finalized their county-specific routes.

While the route is considered final, it is subject to slight alterations as conditions on the ground during the relay may warrant.

The torch will be primarily transported by people, passing the flame from torch bearer to torch bearer.

Putnam County received more than 30 nominations for torchbearers and those nominations are currently being vetted by the county torch relay coordinating committee.

Torchbearers will be Hoosiers who demonstrate exceptional public service, excellence in their profession, acts of heroism or volunteer service to their neighborhood, community, region or state. Statewide, more than 4,000 torchbearer nominations were received.

The relay will also employ other modes of conveyance that are symbolic of the history and heritage of Indiana, including watercraft, farm equipment, a racecar, horse and wagon, antique automobile and others.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will start Sept. 9 in Corydon, Indiana's first state capital, and culminate with a celebration Oct. 15 on the grounds of the statehouse in Indianapolis. Accompanying the torch will be a high-tech mobile experience--an interactive museum that highlights important milestones during Indiana's first 200 years and looks ahead to the state's future.

Developed by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the relay is patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay and is designed to connect Hoosiers across the state and nation with their home state during the bicentennial year. The torch itself was designed by engineering faculty and students at Purdue University.