|
|
|
State Park Overview |
|
Pokagon State Park is located near Angola off I-69. Natural lakes abound in this area and the park borders on Lake James and Snow Lake which offer abundant opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing.
What a thrill! Thats what youll say once youve experienced the quarter mile toboggan track at speeds of 35-40 miles per hour! The toboggan operates weekends from the Friday after Thanksgiving through February, with extended holiday hours. The toboggan is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. |
History of the Area |
|
Legend says that Leopold Pokagon was the son of a Chippawa father and Ottawa mother, born around the year 1775. He was abducted from his Chippawa village by a Potawatomi chief and given to Chief Topenebee of the Potawatomi. He was given the name Pokagon because he was wearing a headdress which contained a human rib. The word Pokagon means "rib". However, books later written by his son, Simon, tend to refute this legend.
Simon Pokagon, son of Leopold, was born in an old Potawatomi village. When Simon was eleven years old, his father died and area settlers took the task of educating him. He eventually attended four years at Notre Dame, one year at Oberlin, and two years at Twinsburg College in Ohio. During his college career, Simon met and married a Potawatomi Indian girl name Lonidaw. They built a wigwam home of bark and poles in a stately wood near a crystal lake somewhere in Northern Indiana. Lake Lonidaw, in Pokagon State Park, got its name because it is said to resemble this legendary lake.
In treaties of 1826 and 1830, the Potawatomi tribe sold all their land which made up a large part of Northern Indiana and included the present site of Chicago. They were compensated with three cents an acre, which even at that time was considered an extremely small amount. It would be 70 years before they would be fully paid for the land. Following the treaty of 1830, the Potawatomi were evicted from the area and were relocated west of the Mississippi River to what is now Kansas. Leopolds band moved on their own to an area north of South Bend near Dowagiac, Michigan. In 1893, Simon Pokagon and his family attended the Worlds Fair in Chicago. It was there that Chief Pokagon transferred the deeds for the land. The occasion was a formality that was long overdue.
In 1925, after careful planning and negotiating, the residents of Steuben County purchased 580 acres along the shores of Lake James and Snow Lake. The land was tendered as a Christmas gift from the residents of Steuben County to the State of Indiana. Another additional 127 acres were added by the State to make a total of 707 acres.
1926 was the actual starting point of park construction. The park at that time consisted of 707 acres and was the third largest park in the state. After approximately two years, the twenty unit hotel (Potawatomi Inn) was completed, costing $3500.00 per unit. On February 23, 1927, Colonel Richard Lieber, State Conservation Commissioner suggested the name Pokagon after the Chief. By unanimous agreement, the park was officially named Pokagon State Park.
Most of the park construction was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) between 1934 and 1942. They constructed the roads, trails, camping units, walks, gate house, cabins, beach house, shelter house, Spring Shelter, Saddle Barn, and the first toboggan slide. In addition, they planted thousands of young trees.
The park presently has 1,203 acres of woods and shoreline. People come from all over the Midwest to enjoy the park and recreational activities offered all four seasons of the year. |
| |
| | |
More Info | |
The 3RVS Pokagon Overnighter Bicycle Tour September 8 & 9, 2001. Ray says, "Im singing the praises of the 3RVS Pokagon Overnighter! I was there last year and it was GREAT! I LOVED IT! Cant... | |
Pokagon State Park Ice Age Legacy (GM-30) On the shores of ... Lake James and Snow Lake in Indianas lake country lies Pokagon State Park, named for a famous Potawatomi chief. Pokagon State Park is. | |
Pokagon State Park, Angola. Directions Right on I69 Trail Information Many trails leading all over this wonderful Park. You can run on hills, or flat grounds. There are many 5 mile loops too.... | |
Pokagon State Park Hiking trails, swimming, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, Mushroom Hunting (10 min.) Pidgeon River Wildlife Area Hiking trails, hunting,... | |
Pokagon State Park Located in Steuben County 450 Lane 100 Lake JamesAngola, IN 46703 219-833-2012. Pokagon State Park is located near Angola off I-69. Natural lakes abound in this area and... | |
A birders guide to visiting Indianas Pokagon State Park. This page is part of a comprehensive guide to Indiana birding. |
Area Campgrounds | | Pentecostal Church of God Campgrounds
1251 W Camden Rd
Camden, MI
(517) 254-4549
| Camp Sack-In
8740 E 40 S
Angola, IN
(260) 665-5166
| Lime Lake Campground
9660 Reading Rd
Reading, MI
(517) 283-3602
| |
|
Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Ultimate Warrior Sporting Goods & More Inc
1385 N 200 W
Angola, IN
(260) 665-5522
| Corner Landing The
3945 N 300 W
Angola, IN
(260) 833-2112
| Long Lake Grocery
9651 Bankers Rd
Reading, MI
(517) 283-2932
| |
|
Area Resorts and Lodging | | Cold Springs Resort
260 Lane 120F Hamilton Lk
Hamilton, IN
(260) 488-2920
| Potawatomi Inn
6 Lane 100A Lake James
Angola, IN
(260) 833-1077
| Narrows Resort & Campgrounds
193 Narrows Rd
Coldwater, MI
(517) 279-7225
| |
|
|
| | | |
|
|
