Hi,
As far as I know Fountain has always been a part of Fountain County as it is
now. The Wabash River is the boundary line between Fountain and Warren
counties along there. As a child, I never heard it called Fountain (it's
official name). Most people stilled called it Portland Arch (for the natural
stone arch in the nearby woods) or simply Portland. Here are some things I
transcribed from the following source:
History of Fountain County, Indiana 1983
Published by Fountain County Historical Society, Printed by Taylor
Publishing Company.
"At Fountain (Portland Arch) was the widest part of the canal between Terre
Haute and Lafayette. It was the only place between the two towns where boats
could pass. Warehouses were located at Maysville, Attica, Jamestown,
Fountain, Covington, Sarah, Vicksburg, and Silver Island where merchandise
was unloaded off the canal boats." Page 10.
"In the southwest corner of Shawnee Township stands the town of Fountain. At
one time this was called Portland, but its name was changed at the request of
the United States Postal Department because of another Portland listed in
Indiana. The name was taken from the county's name. However, the village is
still called Portland by many old timers.
Fountain was laid off in town lots in 1828. At one time Fountain
(Portland) had a post office, eleven stores, a hotel, six physicians,
thirteen saloons, crafsmen of various kinds, and sizable population. The
post office was abandoned in 1905. Keeps Store, one of the business places,
furnished most of the goods used by the people for hundreds of miles up and
down the Wabash River. Powder, lead, salt, iron, whiskey and leather were
the staples of trade in exchange for beeswax, tallow, feathers, furs, deer
skins, and wild hops. Flat boats were used on the Wabash to transport corn,
wheat, and fruit.
At one time Portland (Fountain) was considered to become the county seat,
however, after oppositon from other localities Covington was chosen.
The Wabash and Erie Canal was a boom for Fountain from 1846-1875. This
provided a way for them to shipo produce to cities and make it possible for
them to purchase needed manufactured articles from eastern cities. Passenger
boats on the canal furnished the people transportation. The canal at
Fountain was the widest spot between Terre Haute and Lafayette, and it was
there that boats could pass." Pages 148-149.