TOPIC:

I've had a lot of people ask me why the northwest corner of the breakwall surrounding the Port of Indiana is called the #4 Marker.

Back in the day when the Port was new (opened in 1975) a series of navigational markers were mounted on the breakwalls of the port. They were basically, just a sign with a number on it. The northwest corner had a sign with a large 4, thus it was the #4 marker. The east end of the north breakwall was adorned with a large sign labelled #2.

Radio conversations often went something like this: "I trolled from the #2 to the #4 without a bite...."

FYI, when the breakwalls guarding the mouth of Burns Ditch was built (early 80s) the entrance to the ditch was called the #6 marker.

Even back in the day, the name "#6 marker" was hardly ever used in favor of "mouth of the ditch." Number 2 marker was used somewhat interchangeably with "mouth of the port."

Each winter the ice build up on the port walls and breakwall at the mouth of the ditch would tear down the markers. After several years, the markers were abandoned but the famed name for the northwest corner "the #4 marker" lives on despite the lack of signage.

Good info Mike. I have a name for #4. I call it Drum corner. Caught more drums their than anywhere else!