Lazarus Shirk first settled on Coal Creek in 1826 followed by James Marks in March 1830. The town was platted as Fullerton by Peter Blakewell on April 11, 1836. It may have been named for Robert Fulton who built the first successful steamboat. Jesse Bowen and Elijah Thompson owned all of the land and the east hill was called Golderay.
Renamings
Less than a year later though the town would change its name to Lodi on January 26, 1837. It may have been named for the city of Lodi, Italy near Milan, Italy, where Napoleon won a great victory over the Austrians in 1796. The Post Office was officially call Lodiville. Once again the town's name changed in 1857 to Waterman in honor of Dr. Waterman who had opened a pork packing plant and store in town. In 1874 an R.M. Waterman owned large coal fields north of town.
Industry and Businesses
The Wabash and Erie Canal passed around Lodi on the west side and wrapped around the south side before crossing Coal Creek and continuing its journey south. A feeder dam was built on coal creek. The last canal boat to pass Lodi was in 1875 heading north to Lafayette. Along with the pork packing plant by the 1880s Lodi's businesses included the Lewis Davis and Charles Bright flour mill, drug store, dry goods store, grocery store, two blacksmith shops, sawmill, Masonic Lodge, G.A.R. Post, and a school.
North of town there was a health spa, that was built around the Lodi Artesian Well, that operated for many years. In 1913 the well was purchased by a group of Chicago capitalists. They installed a large pipe that allowed the well to flow into a basin. A large dance pavilion and a baseball diamond were built and the resort was most popular during the Depression. The dance pavilion was later converted to a roller skating rink and the well was used to fill the swimming pool. The business came to an end though when, in an attempt to clean the pipe, Fred Clingan instead plugged it. While it may be noted that many were sad to see the local landmark close, others expressed their gratitude for the relief of the sulfurous smell that came from the water. Today, Lodi remains a small town served by a garage, thrift shop, sign shop, mower and bait shop, vegetable stand, and an archery and gun shop.
Geography
Lodi is located at at an elevation of 505 feet. It is adjacent to the small community of Silverwood.
