Despite the powerful natural forces that drive them, artesian wells are surprisingly fragile. They depend on delicate underground systems where pressure pushes water through layers of rock. Any disturbance -whether from overuse, environmental changes, or human interference- can disrupt or stop the flow. When they’re respected, artesian wells can thrive for generations! When vandalised or damaged, though, the loss erodes our shared heritage. Unfortunately, that’s what seems to have happened to the Pipe Creek well near Frankton.
Tucked between Frankton and Orestes, the Pipe Creek well has been part of Indiana’s story since 1894. Originally drilled by the Manufacturer’s Natural Gas Company1, the shallow well -just 400 feet deep2– was once a busy hub of activity. By 1901, a gas pumping station stood on the site3. Though modest in depth, its impact was anything but.
After the gas boom fizzled out, water found its way into the old pipe and it’s been gushing ever since. Water is said to pour out at a gallon a second4, which is hard to believe until you see it for yourself. I’ve visited a lot of flowing wells, but none quite like Pipe Creek. It became a go-to spot for fresh water, so popular I had to wait in line behind a guy filling an entire truck bed with jugs!
Not only did the Pipe Creek well gush with more force than any artesian well I’ve ever encountered- it looked completely different, too. Instead of bubbling up directly from the ground, water traveled through an eight-inch pipe that carried it from the wellhead to the roadside. There, it spilled out from a striking stone-and-concrete cairn, giving the whole setup a sculpted, intentional presence.
The current owners of the Pipe Creek well purchased the property in 1985. About five years later, a neighbor approached them with a simple request: could he plant a few flowers around the well5? The modest gesture sparked a transformation. Over time, others added their own touches- most notably, a small chapel that was donated to the site, along with designated parking, a concrete pad, a picnic table, and even an outdoor grill6!
Unfortunately, it looks like the PIpe Creek well’s days as an idyllic picnic spot are over. I’ve heard several7 reports8 of vandalism9 from people on social media and, sure enough, the gates were shut when I last drove past. The change was undeniable: the water was diverted underground, the gates were firmly shut, and a handwritten sign simply read “Well Is Closed.”
If the rumors of vandalism are true, it’s a real shame. Sometimes, people have a real way of taking something beautiful and turning it into a reminder of how easily we can ruin the things we love. When vandals target places like the Pipe Creek well, they don’t just damage property; they take away the joy others find in those spaces. With one fewer flowing well to enjoy, it’s the rest of us who suffer by losing a meaningful source of nourishment and tranquility.
Sources Cited
1 Well Events For IGWS ID: 143128 (2023). Well Record tables. The Indiana Geological & Water Survey. Indiana University. Web. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
2 Chambers, R. (2004, October 6). Knott Well: Refreshing water and a relaxing spot to take a break. The Alexandria Times-Tribune. p. 1.
3 Madison County, Indiana (1901). American Atlas Company [Cleveland]. Map.
4 Watters, B. (2008, April 27). County has 2 flowing wells. The Anderson Herald Bulletin. Web. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
5 (See footnote 2).
6 (See footnote 2).
7 Girt, D. Anderson/Madison County, Indiana history (2024, October 17). I belong to a Frankton fb group and there was a conversation awhile back where someone was sad access to one [Comment]. Facebook.
8 Pipes, G. Anderson/Madison County, Indiana history (2024, October 17). The well in Frankton can no longer be used due to vandalism [Comment]. Facebook.
9 Simpson Myers, N. Anderson/Madison County, Indiana history (2024, October 17). I want the locations of an artesian well I can fill my jugs…Frankton s closed due to vandalism…grrrr… [Comment]. Facebook.
