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.
Read more about this topic: Pokagon State Park
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