firsts

This was my first time visiting Indiana’s first state park, McCormick’s Creek, but it definitely won’t be my last.

The area wasn’t always a state park. In fact, it was shared hunting ground for the Delaware, Miami and Shawnee. Following the tribal removal, the land was taken and named for the first settlers in 1816. After failed farming attempts, the scenic land was eventually purchased to operate a private and luxurious sanitarium, 1888-1914.

But in 1916, Richard Lieber, a wealthy German-American businessman and Indiana resident, advocated for the development of a state park system. With his initiation, the property was purchased on auction to become the state’s first park. McCormick's Creek was dedicated on July 4, 1916 and the park officially opened on December 11th of that same year. Originally only about 350 acres in size, the park has grown to 1,961 acres through the acquisition of surrounding farms and homesteads over the years.

However, a significant portion of the park (282 acres) was severely damaged in 2023 and is still recovering as of the date of this post. On March 31, 2023 an EF3 tornado hit the park and destroyed the park's campground, damaged cabins, and blocked many trails. A timelapse video (by Chronolog) currently details a view of the destruction as nature begins to restore itself. The DNR divisions of State Parks and Nature Preserves continue to monitor and study the session growth of the 400 yard wide tornado path. (More information about this natural disaster can be found here.)

I hiked Trail 9, an easy 1.2 mile loop. Below, I’ve shared a few pictures, including evidence of what little litter I came across. I’m excited to go back and explore more!

"Our parks and preserves are not mere picnicking places. They are rich storehouses of memories and reveries. They are guides and counsels to the weary and faltering in spirit. They are bearers of wonderful tales to him who will listen; a solace to the aged and an inspiration to the young." - Richard Lieber

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