Spring Mill Village in Lawrence County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Indiana State Parks

The First 100 Years

— Spring Mill State Park —

Indiana State Parks Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 31, 2020

1. Indiana State Parks Marker

Inscription.

Indiana State Parks. The First 100 Years.

…our parks and preserves are not mere picnicking places. They are rich storehouses of memories and reveries. They are a solace to the aged and an inspiration to the young. , Richard Lieber, Founder , Indiana State Parks

, Setting the Stage , Alarm over the nation's disappearing natural landscape gave birth to the parks movement. Richard Lieber and others advocated for the creation of a state park system as Indiana's 1916 centennial gift.

First Parks , Land for Turkey Run came up for sale at an auction, but was lost to a higher bidder. McCormick's Creek was purchased in time for the State's centennial celebration. Within the year, however, Lieber's group purchased Turkey Run. By 1932, ten parks dotted the state.

State Park Inns , Inns provided accommodations for early park visitors. Many early visitors would stay for over a week.

Gatehouses , Indiana State Parks was a leader in implementing a "User Pays” model to support operating costs.

Nature Guides , Almost from the beginning, Indiana State Parks provided nature guides to interpret the natural and cultural stories of the parks.

Civilian Conservation Corps , During the Great Depression, the CCC put jobless young men to work. They constructed buildings, trail systems and infrastructure in the parks.

Post-World War II , Following the war, many veterans earned college degrees, entered the work force and started families. Increased income led to more travel and a demand for parks.

Reservoirs , Beginning in the 1950s, the US Army Corps of Engineers constructed dams for flood control. Land was managed for camping, hunting and fishing by the Division of Reservoir Management (later merging with State Parks).

Conserving Resources , The 1960s brought new understanding and concern for the environment. State Parks began management practices to conserve and maintain valuable ecosystems.

The Next 100 Years , We continue to be a leader in state park conservation and management. We hope you and future generations will continue to use and support Indiana State Parks, Make your own memories!

…our parks and preserves are not mere picnicking places. They are rich storehouses of memories and reveries. They are a solace to the aged and an inspiration to the young.
Richard Lieber, Founder
Indiana State Parks

Setting the Stage
Alarm over the nation's disappearing natural landscape gave birth to the parks movement. Richard Lieber and others advocated for the creation of a state park system as Indiana's 1916 centennial gift.

First Parks
Land for Turkey Run came up for sale at an auction, but was lost to a higher bidder. McCormick's Creek was purchased in time for the State's centennial celebration. Within the year, however, Lieber's group purchased Turkey Run. By 1932, ten parks dotted the state.

State Park Inns
Inns provided accommodations for early park visitors. Many early visitors would stay for over a week.

Gatehouses
Indiana State Parks was a leader in implementing a "User Pays” model to support operating costs.

Nature Guides
Almost from the beginning, Indiana State Parks provided nature guides to interpret the natural and cultural stories of the parks.

Civilian Conservation Corps
During the Great Depression, the CCC put jobless young men to work. They constructed buildings, trail systems and infrastructure in the parks.

Post-World War II
Following the war, many veterans earned college degrees, entered the work force and started families. Increased income led to more travel and a demand for parks.

Reservoirs
Beginning in the 1950s, the US Army Corps of Engineers constructed dams for flood control. Land was managed for camping, hunting and fishing by the Division of Reservoir Management (later merging with State Parks).

Conserving Resources
The 1960s brought new understanding and concern for the environment. State Parks began management practices to conserve and maintain valuable ecosystems.

The Next 100 Years
We continue to be a leader in state park conservation and management. We hope you and future generations will continue to use and support Indiana State Parks, Make your own memories!

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 38° 44.167′ N, 86° 25.35′ W. Marker is in Spring Mill Village, Indiana, in Lawrence County. It can be reached from Indiana Route 60 0.3 miles west of County Road 950E, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mitchell IN 47446, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Shawnee Hills

and in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Civilian Conservation Corp (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Indiana State Parks

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 31, 2020

2. Indiana State Parks Marker

(here, next to this marker); The Granny White House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Amzi Munson Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Stage Coach Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); The Hamer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Montgomery Tavern (approx. ¼ mile away); Hat Factory (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spring Mill Village.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.