Pokagon State Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pokagon State Park
Wetlands in Pokagon State Park
Location:	Indiana, USA
Nearest city:	Angola, Indiana
Coordinates:	41°42′50″N, 85°01′31″W
Area:	1,260 acres (510 ha)
Established:	1925
Governing body:	Indiana DNR

Pokagon State Park is located in northeastern Indiana close to the village of Fremont and 5 miles north of Angola. Named for the 19th century Potawatomi chief Simon Pokagon, the 1,203 acre (4.9 km²) park has an inn, camping facilities, and a staff of full-time naturalists.

[edit] Overview

The park is bordered by Lake James on the west and south and Snow Lake on the north. Various wetlands can be seen throughout the park and the Potawatomi Nature Preserve makes up a large portion of its east side. Over ten miles of hiking trails wind through the park.

The Wisconsin Glacier, the last of the Ice Age’s four glaciers that covered Indiana, is responsible for the rolling terrain found in Pokagon. Glaciation’s influence can be seen in many of the features of the park, including Lake Londiaw (a kettle lake), Hell's Point (a kame), and various glacial erratics.

The toboggan run is a popular destination during the winter. Visitors can reach speeds of nearly 40 miles an hour (60 km/h) on the quarter mile (400 m) long track.

The Spring Shelter, so named because of the artesian spring nearby, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937.

[edit] History

Pokagon State Park was created in 1925. Through fundraising efforts, the citizens of the county purchased the first 580 acres, much of it farmland, on the shores of Lake James. The county citizens donated this land to the Department of Conservation, State of Indiana, which added two additional parcels the following year, bringing the park up to 707 acres. In 1927, the newly-christened Potawattomi Inn opened its doors.

In 1934, chapter 556 of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) arrived at Pokagon. During the ensuing 8 years, the CCC constructed many of the best-known buildings at Pokagon including the Gate House, the Spring Shelter, the Saddle Barn, the first 3 incarnations of the tobaggon run, and, not least, the CCC Shelter, a National Register of Historic Places site.

The CCC also planted trees -- sometimes in precise lines -- and created roads and trails. They even published their own newsletter, the Pokagon Chieftain. The CCC was instrumental in transforming Pokagon into the rustic park it is today.

Presently at 1203 acres, efforts are being undertaken to acquire two adjoining parcels for the park.

The Beach House, on the western edge of Pokagon, as seen from Lake James. Behind the Beach House, the land quickly rises to a bluff overlooking the lake.

[edit] Facilities and activities

• Bicycle Trail
• Hiking Trails
• Nature Center
• Picnicking
• Playground Equipment
• Swimming / Beach
• Sand Volleyball Court
• Saddle Barn
• Fishing
• Boating
• Inn
• Cabins
• Meeting and Conference Facilities
• Reservable Shelters
• Camping - Reservations recommended
  • Electric Hookup 200 sites
  • Non-Electric 73 Sites
  • Youth Tent Areas
  • Group Camp
  • General Store
  • Dumping Station
• Winter Activities
  • Toboggan Run
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Ice fishing

Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park, as seen from Lake James looking north.

[edit] Equipment rentals

• Pontoon
• Paddleboat
• Rowboat

[edit] External links

• Pokagon State Park Site

Indiana State Parks
Brown County  - Chain O' Lakes  - Charlestown  - Clifty Falls  - Falls of the Ohio  - Fort Harrison  - Harmonie  - Indiana Dunes  - Lincoln  - McCormick's Creek  - Mounds  - O'Bannon Woods  - Ouabache  - Pokagon  - Potato Creek  - Prophetstown  - Shades  - Shakamak  - Spring Mill  - Summit Lake  - Tippecanoe River  - Turkey Run  - Versailles  - Whitewater Memorial  - White River