BIG FOUR TRAIL

The Big Four Trail is named after the Big Four Railroad (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway) that was later bought out by the New York Central Railroad seeking to expand into the Midwest.  This trail was also known as the Farm Heritage Trail.  This particular set of tracks went between Indianapolis and Lafayette via New Agusta, Zionsville, Whitestown, Lebanon, Thorntown, Colfax, Clarks Hill, and Stockwell.  The tracks still exist in New Agusta as industries are rail-served in northwest Indianapolis. North of there, the tracks have been replaced by a trail initially between Lebanon and Colfax. Additionally, a newer southern portion of the trail runs south almost continually from County Road 575 E to Zionsville Road in Boone County.  Work is being done to join these two sections and take the trail north to Lafayette.