Pokagon State Park
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
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 1260 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.
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
close to the village of Fremont
Fremont, Indiana
Fremont is a town in Fremont Township, Steuben County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,138 at the 2010 census. Settled in 1834 as Willow Prairie, it became the Village of Brockville when it was platted in 1837. In 1848, it was renamed to honor John C...
and 5 miles (8 km) north of Angola
Angola, Indiana
Angola is a city in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,612 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Steuben County . Angola was founded by Thomas Gale and Cornelius Gilmore. Angola is home to Trine University...
. It was named for the 19th-century Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
chief, Leopold Pokagon
Leopold Pokagon
Leopold Pokagon was a Potawatomi Wkema . Taking over from Topinbee, who died in 1826, Pokagon became the head of the Potawatomi of the Saint Joseph River Valley in Michigan, a band that later took his name....
, and his widely known son, Simon Pokagon
Simon Pokagon
Simon Pokagon was a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, an author, and a Native American advocate. He was born near Bertrand in southwest Michigan and died on January 28, 1899 in Hartford, Michigan. Dubbed the “Red Man’s Longfellow” by literary fans, Pokagon was often called the...
, at Richard Lieber
Richard Lieber
Richard Lieber was a German-American businessman who became the father of the Indiana state parks system. At his death, he could be considered the most powerful spokesman in the United States for the conservation of natural resources.-Early life:He was born into privilege in Düsseldorf, Germany,...
'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
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
’s four glaciers that covered Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, 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
Kame
A kame is a geological feature, an irregularly shaped hill or mound composed of sand, gravel and till that accumulates in a depression on a retreating glacier, and is then deposited on the land surface with further melting of the glacier...
), and various glacial erratics.
The toboggan
Toboggan
A toboggan is a simple sled which is a traditional form of transport used by the Innu and Cree of northern Canada. In modern times, it is used on snow to carry one or more people down a hill or other slope for recreation. Designs vary from simple, traditional models to modern engineered composites...
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.
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
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
(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
CCC Shelter
The CCC Shelter is a stone and wood building within Pokagon State Park in Steuben County, Indiana. The CCC Shelter was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935/36....
, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
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 1260 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.
Facilities and activities
- Bicycle Trail
- Hiking Trails
- Pokagon Nature CenterPokagon Nature CenterThe nature center located in Pokagon State Park, Angola, Indiana, contains animals and displays about Pokagon and its surrounding areas. It is staffed by full-time and part-time naturalists. The Nature Center is the start of some interpretive hikes and the adjacent auditorium is the site of some...
- Picnicking
- Playground Equipment
- Swimming / Beach
- Sand VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
Court - Saddle Barn
- Fishing
- Boating
- Potawatomi Inn
- Cabins
- Meeting and Conference Facilities
- Reservable Shelters
- CampingCampingCamping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
- Reservations recommended- Electric Hookup 200 sites
- Non-Electric 73 Sites
- Youth Tent Areas
- Group Camp
- General Store
- Raccoon Hunting
- Dumping Station
- Winter Activities
- TobogganTobogganA toboggan is a simple sled which is a traditional form of transport used by the Innu and Cree of northern Canada. In modern times, it is used on snow to carry one or more people down a hill or other slope for recreation. Designs vary from simple, traditional models to modern engineered composites...
Run - Cross-country skiingCross-country skiingCross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
- Ice fishingIce fishingIce fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
- Toboggan
Equipment rentals
- Pontoon
- Paddleboat
- Rowboat
- Toboggan (weekends only, in season)
- Ski Rental (winter)
- Horse-Back Riding (Seasonal)