Pokagon State Park in Lake James in Steuben County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"Our Pride and Joy": The Spring Shelter

--Roger Woodcock, CCC Enrollee, 1936 - 1939

Photographed by Lou Donkle, February 1, 2024

1. "Our Pride and Joy": The Spring Shelter Marker

Inscription.
The finding of a spring during construction further enhanced this special building.

The Spring Shelter was completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938. As the shelter was being constructed, the CCC men noticed a nearby spring. Pipework was added. The spring is an artesian spring.

Company 556 of the CCC was assigned to Pokagon State Park. In addition to many infrastructure and erosion control projects, the CCC built the classic structures found throughout the park. One senses the pride and enjoyment they took in their work. The Spring Shelter is no exception and was described by CCC enrollee, Roger Woodcock, as their "pride and joy".

People have been enjoying the fresh cold water of the spring for years. The water is tested regularly for purity, but is not treated.

[Captions:]
Springs occur where the water table is exposed.

Flowing wells are always lower than the recharge line.

An artesian spring occurs when a layer of permeable rock is between two impermeable layers. Pressure builds up and forces out the water.

Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 41° 42.758′ N, 85° 1.434′ W. Marker is in Lake James, Indiana, in Steuben County. It is in Pokagon State Park. It can be reached from Indiana Route 727 0.7 miles north of Lane 100 Lake James, on the right when traveling north. The marker stands at the Spring Shelter in Pokagon State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fremont IN 46737, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern 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: Just Add Water: Restoring a Wetland

Marker in front of the Spring Shelter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, February 1, 2024

2. Marker in front of the Spring Shelter

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to the Potawatomi Inn (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dryer Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pokagon's Toboggan Slide (approx. 0.6 miles away); Beginning in Ice: The Lakes of Pokagon (approx. 0.7 miles away); Barracks #1 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Latrine (approx. 0.7 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (approx. ¾ mile away).

Inside the Spring Shelter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, February 1, 2024

3. Inside the Spring Shelter

Artesian Spring for which the shelter was named image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, February 1, 2024

4. Artesian Spring for which the shelter was named

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.