Pokagon State Park

Pokagon State Park
Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park
Location of park in Indiana
Location	Steuben County, Indiana, USA
Nearest city	Angola, Indiana
Coordinates	41°42′50″N 85°01′31″W / 41.71389°N 85.02528°W / 41.71389; -85.02528Coordinates: 41°42′50″N 85°01′31″W / 41.71389°N 85.02528°W / 41.71389; -85.02528
Area	1,260 acres (510 ha)
Established	1925
Governing body	Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Official website

Pokagon State Park is an Indiana state park in the northeastern part of the state, near 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.

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 (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.

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

History

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.

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.

Facilities and activities

• Bicycle Trail
• Hiking Trails
• Pokagon Nature Center
• Picnicking
• Playground Equipment
• Swimming / Beach
• Sand Volleyball Court
• Saddle Barn
• Fishing
• Boating
• Potawatomi 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
  • Raccoon Hunting
  • Dumping Station
• Winter Activities
  • Toboggan Run
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Ice fishing

Equipment rentals

• Pontoon boats
• Paddleboats
• Rowboats
• Toboggan (weekends only, in season)
• Skis Rental (winter)
• Horse-Back Riding (Seasonal)

External links

• Indiana Department of Natural Resources' official Web page
• Pokagon Google Map

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pokagon State Park.