2013 Map of Merriam

About this map

Port Mitchell and the small settlements of Merriam and Burr Oak anchor this landscape of the upper Elkhart River watershed. This region is defined by an intricate network of glacial lakes and drainage systems, including the South Branch Elkhart River and Steffy Ditch. The presence of Stangland Airport and Shaffer Airport highlights the rural aviation infrastructure common in this part of Indiana. Numerous family-named roads and sites, such as Riddle Farms and N Long Lake Rd, suggest a long history of local land ownership. The map shows a transition from the water-rich northern sections near Port Mitchell Lake and Kuhns Lake to the agricultural reaches surrounding Gandy Ditch and Mud Run. Local history enthusiasts can trace the old road alignments and the numerous lake shores like Wolf Lake and Marl Lake that have shaped the development of these communities.