Pokagon State Park in Angola in Steuben County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Pokagon's Toboggan Slide
— Steep start–fabulous finish! —
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 31, 2022
1. Pokagon's Toboggan Slide Marker
The toboggan slide started when a few young men wanted to have some fun. It now provides world-class winter excitement.
[Timeline:]
1935: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 556 was stationed at Pokagon. The 11-building camp was just a snowball's throw from this sign, toward the current Nature Center. The young men from the camp built a single track toboggan run right here for their own recreation. The track had curves in it similar to a bobsled run.
1936: The track was straightened to increase speed.
1938: The CCC built a 20-foot tower. The park decided to offer the toboggan experience as a park amenity.
1941: A second track was added.
1971: Refrigerated tracks allowed the slide to remain open regardless of the weather. Even without a single flake of snow, we can still go, go, go!
1974: A 30-foot tower and new tracks were installed. Below and behind the tower was a rustic warming hut converted from the old campers store.
1986: A new rental and warming center was constructed as well as new tracks on the toboggan run.
[Sidebar:]
Did You Know?
Before the tracks were refrigerated, ice blocks were cut from Lake James, then shaved to fit within
this page online
Toboggan Trivia
Record speed: 42 mph
Vertical drop: 90 feet
Track distance: ¼-mile
Ride time: 20-30 seconds
Winter fun artwork taken from the 1937 park made by then Potawatomi Innkeeper, Helen Swenson.
As the decades slide on, your toboggan experience continues to improve. Enjoy the ride!
Erected by Donald and Ruth Anderson Family, Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 41° 42.264′ N, 85° 1.734′ W. Marker is in Angola, Indiana, in Steuben County. It is in Pokagon State Park. Marker can be reached from Indiana Route 727, 0.6 miles Lane 100 Lake James, on the right when traveling west. Marker is at the at the entrance to the toboggan slide from the parking lot at the top. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1415 West Indiana 727, Fremont IN 46737, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dryer Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Barracks #1 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Latrine (about 600 feet away); Recreation Hall (about 600 feet away);
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 31, 2022
2. Marker at entrance to the toboggan slide
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 31, 2022
3. Lower section of toboggan ramp with warming hut in the background
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
