The White River
The west fork of the White River has its headwaters in Randolph County, then flows through Delaware County and Muncie, winding its way south and west. During presettlement times, the river ran undisturbed through the hardwood forest. As settlers came in and cleared the land for crops and built shelter, the river started to change. The number of fish became fewer and less diverse. Pollution increased.
As cities and towns were established, the river was used to carry away waste, both domestic and industrial. During the Gas Boom of the late 1800s, land developers advertised the river as one of Muncie's attractions. It was available, they said, as a dump for industrial by-products.
In the later years of the 20th century, municipalities began to view White River as an asset for its quality of life value. A clean river became desirable for recreation and a selling point for attracting new residents and business. Wastewater treatment facilities were gradually expanded and improved. In Muncie, John Craddock was a leader in the efforts to clean White River.
White River is an integral part of Minnetrista. The word Minnetrista means "gathering place by the water." The Delaware Indians established their village on its banks, the Ball family built their homes on the bluff and Minnetrista was established here in 1988. While walking along the bank of the river on Minnetrista's campus, you may see a great blue heron on the water's edge, belted kingfishers searching for their next meal or soft shell turtles basking in the sun.
