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Spring Mill Founding Families
In addition to Jackson, Bullitts, the Montgomerys, and the Hamers, several other notable individuals and families are associated with Spring Mill State Park. The following are some of the most prominent people and families in Spring Mill's history, each with a wealth of historical documents detailing their contributions to the park's legacy.
You can click on the “+” symbol and expand the drop-down list for more information and links to documents.
George Donaldson, a wealthy Scotsman, arrived in 1865 and purchased the land from James Lynn. land included Lynn Cave, now known as Donaldson Cave and Shawnee cabin, which was built by James Lynn and his sons.
Head Stone of George Donaldson is located in Glasgow Necropolis, Glasgow, Scotland. FindAGrave website.
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George Donaldson - July 18, 1811 - Sept, 1898, Cause of death was apoplexy for 7 days. He married Janet Dick on 5 March 1837 in Glasgow, she died Mar 1842. George came to America from Scotland and later in life purchased some 200 acres in the area of what is now Spring Mill State Park and a 6-room home called Shawnee cottage. The cottage was a veritable museum of collections Donaldson had made but when he was gone on a trip- someone robbed and burned his home to the ground. He never recovered from the hurt of that act. There are several letters in the historical documents written by Donaldson. Donaldson protected his land from any hunting or even cutting of firewood. He returned to Scotland for a visit where he died. Though he left a will bequeathing his lands to relatives, the will was invalid since he was not a citizen, so his lands went to the state of Indiana and became part of Spring Mill State Park.
Archaeological Prospectus by Andy Evans 1987 of Shawnee Cottage site
Obituary of George Donaldson in the Glasgow Herald 9/19/1898
IU Committee Notes on making the Donaldson Farm a Park
Comments about Donaldson’s life and ways
Comments about Donaldson’s life and ways II
Letter to K.B. Turley from Donaldson on the burning of the Shawnee Cottage
The Eccentric Mr. Donaldson by EV Guernsey 1931
Spring Mill’s Original Naturalist- by Tony Hazelwood. SMSP Naturalist, Sept 9, 1980
Plaque donated to Spring Mill (for the stone for Alexander Wilson carved by Donaldson)
Donaldson vs State of Indiana - the court case which gave Donaldson’s land to the State of Indiana, April 13, 1913
The early landowner was a Scotsman - article in Times Mail by Wanda Williams, 1989
Shawnee Property for Sale - for a time, Donaldson considered selling the land he owned which is now Spring Mill SP. Sept 1883
George Donaldson, Whose Farm now is… Article from Indianapolis Star reprinted in Mitchell Tribune 6/27/1929
Letter from Donaldson to Jonathan Turley after the death of Mrs Turley Jan 12, 1893
Jonathan Turley (1842-1887) was born in Lawrence County, the only owner of the Mill/Village to be an Indiana native.
Turley House where the camp store is today.
Jonathan Turley
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Jonathan Turley (1842-1887) was born in Lawrence County, the only owner of the Mill/Village to be an Indiana native. He was to become a prominent self-made man. He owned 430 acres and a fine home, and after leasing the village distillery for a few years from Hugh Hamer he bought the Village businesses in 1881. Though the village was in decline when he purchased it, he made a great effort to revive it with some success.
Spring Mill Park Bequeathed Farm - Johnathan’s daughter Rose gave their family home, filled with historic furniture and 216 acres to the State Park. 12/17/1934
Don Caudell Recalls Spring Mill as a great experience for boyhood - Caudell grew up in the park while his father served as superintendent from 1933-1945
Lehigh was instrumental in founding Spring Mill - Also mentions the gifts of Eliza Turley to the Park we know today.
History of Lawrence County Indiana - bio of Jonathan Turley- section describes Daisy Spring Mill Distillery and Turley’s business in burning lime. (pub 1965)
Jonathan Turley History - Describes Jonathan’s role in Spring Mill’s history
Jonathan Turley’s 1890 Account book - in his hand-writing, gifts to his children
Turley was the last owner/operator of the Mill - Summer 1985
Map Land Plats - Current Park boundaries and who previously owned the properties
Old Turley School House - map and memories
Monthly Return at Distillery of Apple and Peaches - September 1880
Gauger of Brandy from Fruit - apple brandy records Oct 3, 1883
Turley School House