Welcome to the Turkey Run Inn

Welcome to the Turkey Run Inn. The Turkey Run Inn was built in response to the travel needs of the time.. , The establishment of Turkey Run State Park coincided with the dawn of the automobile. As a means of travel, cars were still unreliable. Journeys commonly included flat tires and breakdowns. A 50-mile trip typically required an overnight stay. Many visitors to Turkey Run State Park sought accommodations in the countryside around the park, sleeping in the barn lofts, porches and spare bedrooms of area farmers., To better accommodate overnight visitors, early planners of state parks developed a system of state operated Inns. The Turkey Run Inn was the first inn specifically built for this purpose. It was constructed in 1919 using labor from the State Penal Farm at Putnamville., The original inn had 13 sleeping rooms, a single bath on the third floor and a kitchen in the basement. For $2.50 per day, a person could have a room, access to the bath, and meals that included a supper of fried chicken with all the trimmings., In 1920, the inn was enlarged and included a new wing and cabins. A second 32-room brick veneer annex was added in 1930., A swimming pool was completed in 1975 and enclosed in 1991., In 1882 the Indianapolis, Decatur and Springfield Railroad created Bloomingdale Glens on land leased from owner John Lusk. Vacationers from Indianapolis and Chicago took weekend excursion trains into Marshall and Bloomingdale, and rode horse drawn "hacks" to the resort. They were provided tents and food by the hotel, and could buy snacks and souvenirs at the concession stand. The buildings were torn down soon after the present day Inn was built., We hope you enjoy your stay at the park and the Turkey Run Inn! , Staying on marked trails protects both you and the park's fragile plant communities.