Spring Mill State Park’s history includes a village dating to the early 1800s, a CCC camp, unique karst features, and an old growth forest. There are many links between the natural and cultural history of the park. In partnership with Indiana Humanities, who provided a grant to scan historic documents and photos, the Friends of Spring Mill SP sought to further interpret that history of the Park. By posting what we’ve found so that the history is available to the public, people can now review the physical documents, oral histories, and photographs that remain.

We want people to be excited about the history of the Park and want to know more. We hope that with each piece of information they view on this site, they will want to see another picture, another document. The mission of interpretation is to inspire people to want to learn more. The history shown here about the natural and cultural history of the Park will hopefully provide that inspiration.

Once these documents are made available to the public, they may have the power to enhance people’s understanding of the past. Therefore, we’re making them accessible, so people better understand the past and appreciate the role it played in the park they enjoy today.

If you are aware of any stories, photographs, or documents that would add to the history of Spring Mill State Park - we hope you’ll share them.

For more information on local history, you may want to also visit the Lawrence County Museum in Bedford, IN, or check out their website.