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Southeast of Peru in Miami County. From Fort Wayne travel south on I-69 to exit 78 (SR 5/Warren). Turn right (north) onto SR 5, then left (west) onto SR 124 and drive for about 30 miles to the Mississinewa River bridge. If you turn left (south) just before the bridge, onto 340E (Francis Slocum Trail), look for the ACRES parking above the Seven Pillars landmark on your right. If, instead, you cross the bridge and turn left (south) onto 300E and then left (east) again onto Mississinewa Road, look for the ACRES parking lot for the preserve on your right, or drive further to the turn in the road to park and view the pillars form across the river. Driving distance from I-69 to the preserve is 59-½ miles.
Across the river to the south is the Seven Pillars Nature Preserve, a gift of John and Florence Klotz, received in 1993. It has two miles of trails on 150 acres of forested upland, ravines and open meadow. Three streams flow through the ravines of beech and maple. At one time the Miami Wappa-Pin Sah Reserve, the Seven Pillars area has cultural and spiritual significance to the Miami Indians, who historically gathered here for councils and powwows. |
The Seven Pillars Landmark was a 1982 gift of Edward G.
Iddings. It is a geographical wonder, with 25 foot high limestone
cliffs, stream-carved by the Mississinewa River. The centuries of
erosion into the Liston Creek limestone have left the alcove-like rooms,
pillars and cornices. Red cedar, juneberry and shadbush beautify the
bluffs.