Howard County High Point Trip Report
Date: January 6, 2002
Author: Bob Schwab
From the blinker light on Route 26 in the center of Russiaville, drive south on 750W Road for 2 miles to the
intersection with 600 S Road. Turn left (east) on 600 S Road and proceed 1 mile to the intersection with
650 W Road. Turn right on 650 W Road and drive south. In about 0.5 mile, the road will bend abruptly to
the left just after passing a house and barns.
This is the home of Robert Oilar (6458 S 650 W Road), a friendly man who owns the bean field where two
of the county high spots are located 0.5 mile east of here. After getting his permission, continue on the road
for 0.25 mile east until the road jogs sharply to the right (south). Park in the field access pull-off and hike
out into the bean stubble to the northeast to visit area 1, a low rise in the field
(40° 22.959' N, 86° 14.761' W).
From here, hike southeast to some high ground along the fence that marks the county line. The highest spot
in area 2 appears to be right at the fence line where the effects of plowing and field erosion have been minimal.
Return to your vehicle and continue south on the road another 0.3 mile to the first house on the left (east)
which is owned by Lawrence Graves. The house sits on a small contour which represents the third and final
high spot in Howard County. Both Mr. Graves and Mr. Oilar told me that the contour is a natural rise,
and wasn't created by digging a cellar or re-grading the yard.
Because it was foggy, snowing, and visibility was only about 0.2 mile, I wasn't able to conduct an accurate
hand-level assessment of these three areas. Future visitors should visit this area only when the fields are empty.