A handsome sign, designed by Metamora resident Paul Baudendistel, features a canal boat and the hills of southeastern Indiana.

About 200 of these will be installed along the 76-mile Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway by the Indiana Department of Transportation as soon as funding can be found, said sign chairman Chuck Andres, St. Leon. INDOT gave the official designation to the route July 23.

The byway travels through Wayne, Fayette, Franklin and Dearborn counties. Loops will go from the byway through parts of Union (organizers there “have been very, very active”) and Ripley counties. Directional arrows below the signs will lead tourists to area attractions and historical sites, such as Perfect North Slopes, the Milan ’54 Museum and Oldenburg, Andres explained.

Association members believe the byway designation will help residents from an economic standpoint. For example, now visitors come to Metamora “just for one day. We’re hoping they’ll come out ... and follow this byway” and return in future vacation periods “to spend a few bucks,” Andres said. He envisioned restaurants, hotels and other ventures cropping up along the route. “We hope to be able to increase the business along this loop and bring money into the area and increase the quality of life. This has become a tremendous regional effort.”

The chairman got involved through the Indiana Rural Development Council, of which he is a board member. He wants others to discover the joys and history of the Whitewater Valley. “I used to spend all my summers out here during grade and high schools,” when a train would stop at Longnecker depot at the junction of State Road 46 and U.S. 52.

Each sign costs $100. Andres and other Whitewater Canal Byway Association members are seeking donors, whose names will appear on stickers on the backs of signs.

“We’ve got about 40 or 50 primarily retail people who have purchased signs so far,” he reported. Andres cannot guarantee that a sign will be erected near a sponsoring business, but the committee will try.

Signs also can be contributed in honor of a person or in memoriam.

Persons may send a tax-deductible $100 check made out to WCBA for each sign and mail it to WCBA, P.O. Box 75, Metamora, IN 47030. With the check should be this information: donor’s name, mailing address, phone number and the name desired for the sign’s sticker. Interested persons may also call Andres, 812-662-5888.

In addition to businesses, organizations and persons, Andres wants local governments to help pay for the signs. “Each county needs about 25 to 30,” he estimated. Association representatives will approach county officials about the project. So far Greendale and Lawrenceburg leaders have agreed to purchase signs that go through their communities. A grant application to obtain some of the funding has been submitted as well, he said.

Andres expected signs to be posted starting next spring.

About 20 association volunteers are excited about the byway. The chairman wants that enthusiasm to spread. “The more we can get people involved, the sooner the loops can be developed” and signs installed. “They’re welcome to come to our meetings” (please see box on page 1) or check out the Web site www.whitewatercanal scenicbyway.org.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com