| Pokagon State Park | |
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Wetlands in Pokagon State Park |
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| Location | Indiana, USA |
| Nearest city | Angola, Indiana |
| Area | 1,260 acres (5 km2) |
| Established | 1925 |
| Governing body | Indiana DNR |
Pokagon State Park is located in northeastern Indiana close to the village of Fremont and 5 miles (8 km) north of Angola. It was named for the 19th-century Potawatomi chief, Leopold Pokagon, and his widely known son, Simon Pokagon, at Richard Lieber's suggestion. The 1,260-acre (4.9 km²) park has an inn, camping facilities, and a staff of full-time naturalists.
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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 (16 km) of hiking trails wind through the park.
The Wisconsin Glacier, the last of the Ice Age’s four glaciers that covered Indiana, created 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 35-40 miles an hour (60 km/h) on the quarter-mile (400 m) long track.
Pokagon State Park was created in 1925. Through fundraising efforts, the citizens of the county purchased the first 580 acres (2.3 km2), 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 (2.9 km2). 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 three editions of the toboggan run, and the CCC Shelter, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The CCC also planted trees and created roads and trails. They published a newsletter, the Pokagon Chieftain. The CCC was instrumental in transforming Pokagon into the park that it is today.
Presently the park contains 1,260 acres (5 km2). Efforts were made to secure a property across the street from Pokagon. It was officially transferred in June 2007. It will be managed by Pokagon State Park and called Trine State Recreation Area.
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